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What's New Archive
December 31, 2002
IPT in the News:
December 27, 2002
IPT in the News:
IPT Opinion Pieces:
December 23, 2002
IPT in the News:
December 17, 2002
- IPT in the News: Few but proud: US antiwar activists in Iraq
- New website: Cities for Peace
"City Council resolutions opposing war with Iraq have been passed in over 20 cities across the U.S. and efforts are underway in dozens more communities. This first round of success is exciting and efforts are underway to broaden this campaign and to give voice to the anti-war message in mainstream America. This website is a hub to link the many anti-war City Council resolutions and campaigns across the country."
December 16, 2002
'We're not human shields, but we'll stay through the bombing': A brief piece in the Independent about IPT. From the Article:
They have inevitably become known as "human shields" who position themselves at bombing targets, in the hope of deterring American and British warplanes.
"It is not a term we have ever used ourselves, but it has caught on," said [Kathy] Kelly, a 50-year-old teacher from Chicago who is on her 17th visit to Iraq. "I am not sure the Iraqi authorities will allow us into their sites to become shields, even if we wanted to. But we do feel it is important to show solidarity with the people of Iraq. If this means we have to stay here during the bombing, then it has to be done."
[A] common accusation is that [Voices in the Wilderness members in Iraq] have failed to criticise Saddam and his brutal rule while attacking the West. Their mere presence in Iraq, say critics, is sanctioning the regime. "Our view is that there are plenty of channels for opinions about Saddam and the rulers of Iraq to be expressed," said Ms Kelly.
"We want to concentrate on the terrible effect the economic war is having on Iraq and how the country will be devastated if the US and Britain decide to attack." Read More...
December 11, 2002
Anti-war protests on International Human Rights Day: According to USA Today, thousands of Americans participated in more than 120 anti-war vigils, acts of civil disobedience and marches in 37 states yesterday. About 100 were arrested nationally, including 19 in Chicago and 99 in New York City during Tuesday's events, staged in conjunction with International Human Rights Day.
December 9, 2002
Iraq Releases 12,000 page weapons report: On Saturday, Iraq released its dossier of weapons programs in the country. Following is a roundup of news stories and analysis of the report:
November 8, 2002
The UN Resolution and War on Iraq:
Line-by-Line Analysis of UN Resolution 1441 on Arms Inspections in Iraq - by Phyllis Bennis
The Resolution:
The War:
October 28,2002
Hundreds of Thousands Protest War on Iraq over the Weekend:
- More Than 100,000 March in Washington, DC Antiwar Protest Largest Since '60s
For those looking for symbols often associated with left-wing demonstrations, plenty could be found. But it wasn't necessary to comb through the fringe to find people who didn't fit the mold. Many said they were first-time protesters who had never attended a rally. Some said they were against all war, no matter the circumstances, and others said they were simply against the possibility of an Iraq invasion.
- Wellstone Looms Large at St. Paul Peace Rally
Thousands of Minnesotans, stunned by the death of U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone but galvanized to carry forward his work, rallied Saturday at the Cathedral of St. Paul and marched to the state Capitol to protest a war in Iraq.
- S.F. Peace March Draws Thousands
Tens of thousands of protesters marched down Market Street in San Francisco on Saturday afternoon in a major demonstration against President Bush's policy on Iraq -- the largest peace rally police and protesters could remember since the Vietnam War.
- Mainers Oppose Bush's War Plans: Thousands March with Message of Peace
- Montpelier, Vermont: 1,000 Rally for Peace in City of 8,000
- Kingston, NY: 1,500 Peace Activists Turn Out in Force
October 23, 2002
Showdown at the United Nations:
- Anti-war demonstrators invade UN General Assembly
Thirteen demonstrators invaded the United Nations General Assembly chamber on Monday to protest a possible war on Iraq and demand an end to UN sanctions. The demonstrators, members of a group called No Blood for Oil, sat peacefully in the public gallery chanting “no war in Iraq, end of sanctions, no attack” until they were expelled by security guards.
- Your time is running out, US warns UN
America expressed growing impatience with the United Nations last night, saying the drawn-out negotiations on a new Security Council resolution on Iraq could not last indefinitely.
- UN moves closer to Iraq inspections: French and US consider a 'one-and-a-half step solution' to break the month-old deadlock.
Washington, say observers, has dropped several conditions from its original draft resolution: military escorts for weapons inspectors, which would be seen as too provocative and a breach of national sovereignty; the right of Council members to appoint nationals to observe the work of inspectors, who, in contrast with earlier inspections teams, will not be heavily Western but composed of many Russians, Chinese, and Eastern Europeans; and possibly the demand that Iraqi scientists and their families be flown out of the country for interviews.
- US draft gives Iraq 75-day deadline
It has been revealed the United States' draft UN resolution on Iraq imposes a 75-day deadline for weapons inspectors to begin the disarmament of Saddam Hussein's regime. The US has already changed the wording of the motion to remove the automatic trigger for military action if Saddam Hussein is uncooperative. The wording of the document, which became public for the first time today, gives Iraq 30 days to make a full and complete declaration of its weapons of mass destruction. It then gives weapons inspectors another 45 days to start work on disarmament. If those deadlines are not met, the US will consider military action.
October 21, 2002
From IPT: Leah Wells, a teacher in California, is just back from a trip to Iraq.
October 17, 2002
Urgent Action: As the Security Council enters its second day of debate on a new resolution relating to military action against Iraq, Voices would like to generate a huge number of letters to specific members of the SC. I spoke two days ago with Mr. Hans von Sponeck and he concurred that this could be an effective action at this time. Letters should go to three of the permanent members of the SC (France, China, Russia) and to Ireland (currently president of the SC) and to Denmark (currently heading the EU). Here are the FAX numbers and E-MAILS for the member states we are suggesting:
Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the UN
FAX: 212-634-7626
e-mail: china@un.int
Permanent Representative of Denmark to the UN
FAX: 212-308-3384
e-mail: nycmis@um.dk
Permanent Representative of France to the UN
FAX: 212-421-6889
e-mail: france@un.int
Permanent Representative of Ireland to the UN
FAX: 212-752-4726
e-mail:ireland@un.int
Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN
FAX: 212-628-0252
e-mail: rusun@un.int
Write short letters saying how as US citizens we have worked to keep our nation from escalation of the economic and military warfare on Iraq. Tell them that now we ask them to do all in their power to keep the US from carrying out its war plan against the Iraqi people.
And we would like to keep track of how many such letters are sent. Just send a brief e-mail to info@vitw.org saying you sent some number of letters. We are encouraging other organizations to begin similar campaigns.
*note: we have verified these addresses with each office.
October 12, 2002
From Iraq: IPT has been on the ground in Iraq for nearly a month. Writing from the group has begun to stream in and will be posted Monday. Today please check out the following:
- The Iraq Peace Team - 'Good' Americans in Iraq by Ramzi Kysia: Mohammed Ghani Hekmat is perhaps the most prominent artist in Iraq, and one of the kindest men I've ever met. His sculptures decorate the country. He's proud to be the first Muslim artist ever commissioned by the Vatican. In 1991, he was working on a series of life-size reliefs of the Stations of the Cross, when the Gulf War happened. The windows in his studio were blown out by the explosions. We asked him what he thought of the American people, and his voice filled with anger: "They're innocent," he accused, "Innocent! Like children."
We're here because we know we're not innocent. Being here is our part in the war against terrorism: humanizing Iraqis in the eyes of Americans, humanizing Americans in the eyes of Iraqis - taking direct responsibility for what's done in our names. Read more...
- Iraq Journal: With Washington on the verge of seeking to destroy an already devastated country, a group of independent journalists and activists - spearheaded by Voices in the Wilderness and the Iraq Peace Team - are breaking ranks with the war chorus. Coordinated by independent journalist Jeremy Scahill on the ground in Baghdad, IraqJournal provides a forum for the distribution of independent information and views from Iraq.
October 11, 2002
Congress passes War Resolution. Next Stop UN: Early this morning the Senate authorized use of force in Iraq. All eyes are now on the United Nations Security Council. The acquiescence of Russia, France and China is expected but not inevitable. Here is a roundup of news & analysis regarding the vote and next steps:
Congress:
Security Council:
October 9, 2002
IPT in the News: U.S. Activists on Peace Mission in Iraq Sanctions-busting American group believes in `giving blood, not spilling it': Today, a small band of volunteers from the Chicago-based anti-sanctions group Voices in the Wilderness will gather outside the U.S. Interests section of the Polish embassy — the only diplomatic office Washington has in Baghdad — to donate blood at a mobile blood bank.
October 8, 2002
Last night President Bush made a rare prime-time address to the nation making his case - one more time - for war on Iraq. Notably, the address was not carried by NBC, ABC or CBS. We have collected some analysis to help dissect the meaning and key points of the President's speech.
- Bush finds America the weakest link in war effort: Who was President Bush trying to convert with his speech about Iraq last night? For all the suddenness with which it was announced, the address to the nation, the first since September 12, was hardly a casual affair; the White House carefully timed it for 8.01 pm on the East Coast to allow a smooth introduction from the network anchormen.
- Bush speech gets guarded support: President Bush's call for greater pressure on Iraq won guarded support in Asia and Australia on Tuesday, but his threat of war gained no support in Russia, which accused Washington of deliberately seeking armed confrontation with Baghdad. Bush's strongly worded attack on Iraqi President Saddam Hussein deepened concerns throughout the world over the possibility of war.
- Analysis of President Bush's Case for War: This is a point for point response to the War Resolution currently being debated in Congress. Many of the points were repeated in last night's speech.
- 'Saddam Hussein Is a Threat to Peace': The text of the President's speech.
October 7, 2002
An Iraq war resolution is likely to pass soon. Here is a roundup of developements in DC over the weekend:
- Iraq war resolution likely to pass: As President Bush prepares to lay out his case against Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in a nighttime address tonight, Congressional leaders said that a resolution authorizing war against Iraq is expected to pass with little dissent and will strengthen Washington’s hand at the United Nations.
- Bush pushes Democrats to fall into line on Iraq: With the Democrats in disarray, Mr Bush is poised to win overwhelming approval from the Senate as well as the House. Tom Daschle, the Senate majority leader, himself acknowledged that, whatever his own misgivings, his chamber would overwhelmingly pass a measure that would be virtually the same as the one ready to go before the House.
- Congress nears vote on Iraq resolution: Lawmaker positions on wording backed by Bush could be grist for the 2004 presidential race
- Lawmakers assailed for ‘unpatriotic’ trip to Iraq: Republicans and right-wing media continue to criticize the three Democratic congressmen who traveled to Baghdad last week in a bid to avert President Bush’s push for war by getting Iraq to agree to weapons inspections.
October 4, 2002
White House and House of Representatives Reach Deal on Iraq Resolution: From the Education for peace in Iraq Center - Yesterday, the White House and leadership of the House agreed on text of a war resolution authorizing force against Iraq. The new resolution puts some limits on Bush and has a few provisions that he consult with Congress, but it still states that the President is “authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States as he determines necessary.”
The new resolution may appease many in Congress who were sitting on the fence before, making it more likely they would vote YES on the war resolution. This means we have to STEP UP THE PRESSURE EVEN MORE and ensure Representatives vote against ANY war resolution.
Many of you have already made calls, wrote letters or met with your Congressional offices. This effort has made a difference, overwhelming most offices with waves of anti-war sentiment. However, now that the war resolution has actual language and is circulating in the Congress WE IMPLORE YOU TO KEEP CALLING! And call five friends, and get them to call as well.
WE CANNOT TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF CONGRESS! We need to ensure that members know they have political support to take a stand against this election-time bid to preemptively strike Iraq. Make it clear that they will not be representing their constituents if they vote for the war resolution, even with minor compromises in the language.
September 30, 2002
What's Wrong with the Bush Proposal to the United Nations? Phyllis Bennis looks the draft UN resolution rejected by Russia, China, and France (see below).
The Growing Opposition to War:
Three big powers tell US it's wrong on Iraq: The United States was last night considering the implications of leading an attack on Iraq without the support of Russia, France and China, after all three rejected a US draft plan for dealing with President Saddam Hussein.
Poll: US Support for Iraq Action Drops: A Pew Research Center for the People & the Press taken Sept. 12-16 asked, "Would you favor or oppose taking military action in Iraq to end Saddam Hussein's rule?" Here are some of the results:
- Overall — 64 percent favor, but that drops to 33 percent if the United States must act without allies.
- Republicans — 77 percent favor, dropping to 43 percent if no allies.
- Democrats — 42 percent favor; 13 percent favor if no allies.
- Independents — 65 percent favor; 38 percent favor if no allies.
350,000 people marched in London Saturday against military action in Iraq: The voice of middle-class England was how Debbie Mainwaring described herself yesterday as she stood amid the clamor of one of the biggest anti-war demonstrations ever, and it was clear that she was not alone. The sheer numbers who turned out to express vociferous opposition to military action in Iraq – between 150,000 and 350,000 on the central London march – meant there was no way they could be dismissed as "the usual suspects" of the hard left.
Specter of War Stirs Campus Dissent: As the Bush administration presses its case for deposing Hussein and committing U.S. troops to what could be a long stay in the region, many American students seem far from convinced. Protests and rallies - a hallmark of campus life in previous conflicts - are still a distant prospect, but anti-war sentiment made up the plurality of opinions expressed in scores of interviews at 10 universities around the country this week.
September 27, 2002
Joint Statement from NGOs Working in Iraq Released: Signed by Save the Children UK, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, CAFOD, Tearfund, Help Age International, Islamic Relief and 4Rs, the statement reads, in part:
Based on the experience of our agencies and their partner organisations on the ground in Iraq we, the undersigned organisations, fear that a new war on Iraq risks deepening and extending the current humanitarian crisis: creating large numbers of civilian casualities and extending human suffering.
We urge the British government not merely to take effective steps to avoid exacerbating the current humanitarian crisis, but to seek ways to improve the humanitarian situation, while pursuing a diplomatic solution to the current crisis. The current focus on the government's 'dossier of evidence,' weapons inspectors and Iraqi disarmament should not detract from the urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis that has been unfolding in Iraq for the past 12 years. Read more...
September 26, 2002
- Activists fill congressional offices in cities across the US: Nonviolent occupations of senate and house offices have taken place in Minnesota, and Washington (State), Illinois, New Mexico, and Michigan. Other actions are planned for California, Texas and Colorado. Stay tuned for updates!
- IPT in the news: American Pacifists Descend on Baghdad
September 20, 2002
Congress Likely to Vote on War Resolution by End of Next Week: Please call your representatives todday and tell them you oppose war with Iraq. For more information on contacting your representative, visit the activism page.
September 19, 2002
First IPT Delegation Leaves for Iraq: Chicago, IL - Seven US citizens are traveling to Iraq to oppose sanctions and a new war on Iraq. Barbara Lubin (CA), Nathan Mauger (WA), Danny Muller (IL), Bill Quigley (LA), David Smith-Ferri (CA), Leah Wells (CA), Henry Williamson (SC) will travel to Iraq as the first delegation of Iraq Peace Team.
Iraq Peace team is a project of Voices in the Wilderness, a campaign to end the sanctions on Iraq. The goal is to put up to several hundred international peace activists in Iraq before and during a US-led attack. Activists will work to publicize the effects of a possible or ongoing war on Iraqi civilians, be available to media as non-partisan witnesses and volunteer with non-Iraqi NGOs (United Nations Development Project, Bridges to Baghdad, Enfant du Monde).
Two members of the delegation, Nathan Mauger and Henry Williamson, will establish residency in Baghdad and stay for up to a year. Other members of the delegation will stay for about two weeks. Future Iraq Peace Team delegations, beginning in October, will stay for several months.
“As Americans, it’s important we do everything we can to avert another war, even if that means exposing ourselves to the same risks our government is imposing on the people of Iraq,” said Nathan Mauger.
“A main goal of Iraq Peace Team is to put a human face on the nearly 25 million Iraqi citizens who are usually collectively referred to as Saddam Hussein, both by the US Government and the media,” said Kathy Kelly.
Before, during and after traveling to Iraq, peace team members will be available for contact with media.
Iraq Peace Team members are seasoned activists with a thorough commitment to nonviolence. They oppose the sanctions and a new war on Iraq on moral, religious and humanitarian grounds.
September 17, 2002
Iraq Invites U.N. Weapons Inspectors Without Condition: In a letter to Kofi Annon yesterday, Iraq signaled its readiness to admit U.N. weapons inspectors without condition. The Bush Administration immediately dismissed the Iraqi move as a cynical attempt to avert a U.N. resolution.
From Iraq's letter to Kofi Annon:
The Government of the Republic of Iraq has based its decision concerning the return of inspectors on its desire to complete the implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions and to remove any doubts that Iraq still possesses weapons of mass destruction.
This decision is also based on your statement to the General Assembly on 12 September 2002 that the decision by the Government of the Republic of Iraq is the indispensable first step towards an assurance that Iraq no longer possesses weapons of mass destruction and, equally importantly, towards a comprehensive solution that includes the lifting of the sanctions imposed on Iraq and the timely implementation of the other provisions of the relevant Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 687 (1991).
To this end, the Government of the Republic of Iraq is ready to discuss the practical arrangements necessary for the immediate resumption of inspections.
From Kofi Annon's statement on Iraq:
I would want to pay particular tribute to all the member states and the Arab League who played a key role in this and to thank Secretary-General Amr Moussa of the Arab League for his strenuous efforts in helping to convince Iraq to allow the return of the inspectors. I am now passing the letter on to the Security Council and they will have to decide what they do next, and of course (executive chairman of the U.N. Monitoring Verification and Inspection Commission) Mr. Hans Blix and his team will be ready to continue their work.
The Bush Administration's Response:
As the president said, the U.N. Security Council needs to decide how to enforce its own resolutions, which the Iraqi regime has defied for more than a decade.
This will require a new, effective U.N. Security Council resolution that will actually deal with the threat Saddam Hussein poses to the Iraqi people, to the region, and to the world. That is the course the Security Council is on, and the United States is engaged in consultations with Council members and other partners in New York at this time.
This is not a matter of inspections. It is about disarmament of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and the Iraqi regime's compliance with all other Security Council resolutions.
This is a tactical step by Iraq in hopes of avoiding strong U.N. Security Council action. As such, it is a tactic that will fail.
It is time for the Security Council to act.
September 13, 2002
Ten Reasons Why Many Gulf War Veterans Oppose Re-Invading Iraq by an anonymous Gulf war veteran.
From the article:
"With all the war fever about re-invading Iraq, the press and politicians are ignoring the opinion of the veterans of our last war in the Gulf. But we veterans were there, and we have unique and critical first-hand knowledge of the course and consequences of warfare in Iraq. Our opinions should be solicited and heard before troops deploy for battle, not after they have returned wounded, ill or in body bags." Read more...
September 12, 2002
This morning, George W. Bush addressed the United Nations General Assembly.
ALSO: Tune in the the Donahue Show tonight on MSNBC (8 PM ET) for a look look at "the selling of war" against Iraq - past and present. A decade ago, war promoters reportedly used hoaxes, PR spin and media manipulation to sell the Gulf War. A look back at the tactics used then, and what might be going on now as war drums beat again. Phil's panel includes PR experts, leading journalists (including The Nation's Christopher Hitchens and National Review's Rich Lowry), as well as John MaArthur, author of "Second Front: Censorship and Propaganda in the Gulf War."
For two recent articles on the selling of the Gulf War in 1991, check out:
September 10, 2002
Today we highlight the essay, Calling 9-11: America and Iraq by Ramzi Kysia, who is in Iraq preparing for the first wave of Iraq Peace Team volunteers at the end of this month.
September 7, 2002
Prelude to war? Yesterday, as many as 100 American and British aircraft took part in an attack on Iraq's major western air defence installation. The attack was the biggest single operation over the country for four years. Iraq claims civilian targets were attacked. A British Defense Ministry spokeswoman denied any increase in strike tempo or Iraqi ground activity. Read more:
September 5, 2002
Yesterday, weeks after White House counsel determined last month that congressional approval for an Iraq attack wasn't legally necessary, George W. Bush took his case to congress. "I don't think anyone walked out of there ready to invade," Senate Majority Whip Harry Reid said of the meeting. Read more:
September 2, 2002
From today's Los Angeles Times: Military Action May Get Peace Movement Rolling by Johanna Neuman. The article quotes several anti-war activists and highlights activity going on "under the radar," including Iraq Peace Team.
August 31, 2002
From the Boston Globe Today:
"Denouncing the prospect of war with Iraq, protesters rallied outside US Senator John Kerry's office in downtown Boston yesterday while members of an antiwar group met with the junior senator's policy aides.
"Carrying signs of 'Say No to War' and 'Attack Iraq? - NO!,' about 80 demonstrators crowded the sidewalk and handed out fliers arguing against a US invasion against Saddam Hussein. They called for more weapons inspections and said a unilateral move by the United States would have devastating effects in the Middle East."
Want to add your voice to the chorus of opposition to war on Iraq? Visit our new Activism page for ideas.
August 29, 2002
Hear former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark - who recently visited the victims of a U.S. "no-fly zone" bombing in Basra, Iraq - debate Pentagon spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel David Lapan on yesterday's Democracy Now! You can also read the transcript.
August 27, 2002
IPT Briefing #2: Preemptive Strikes and International Law Among the United Nations most important achievements has been the development of a body of international law. The United Nations Charter specifically calls on the United Nations to help in the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means. A preemptive strike on Iraq would violate Articles 2 & 51 of the United Nations Charter and undermine the work of those who sincerely seek global peace and security.
August 26, 2002
Sign the Iraq Peace Pledge! Sponsored by a growing coalition of national and local anti-war groups, the Iraq Peace Pledge is a way for you to:
- Publicly register your opposition to war on Iraq
- Add your name to a national list of citizens opposed to war that will be delivered to Congressional offices
- Join a coordinated national campaign to prevent a war with Iraq
Over 11,000 Americans have signed the pledge, which reads:
"I support peace for Iraq. I grant permission to use my name and city publicly as an opponent of the ongoing economic and bombing war on Iraq, and of any escalation of that war."
August 24, 2002
Hans Blix, Chief United Nations Weapons Inspector will appear on this Sunday's edition of "Meet the Press with Tim Russert" to discuss weapons of mass destruction and the future of inspections in Iraq. In recent interviews, Blix has become increasingly critical of Washington's war rhetoric. "Meet the Press" airs on NBC at 9-10 a.m. ET, except in Washington, D.C. and New York City where the broadcast is seen from 10:30-11:30 a.m. ET. Please check local listings.
August 23, 2002
Attack Iraq? No! bumperstickers are now available for purchase from the Common Dreams website. Buy 100 stickers for $30 (USPS Priority 2-Day shipping included) and give them to your friends!
August 22, 2002
IPT Briefing #1: The West and Iraq's Chemical Weapons. The Iraq Peace Team website will feature regular briefings intended to isolate and explore the subtleties of the larger argument against economic and military war on Iraq. The content and format of the briefings will vary. Briefing #1 highlights recent news stories exploring the nature of Western military and economic aid to Iraq at a time when Iraq was known to be using chemical weapons against Iran and later Iraqi Kurds. These briefings also go out to our email list. If you would like to receive IPT Briefings and other Iraq updates by email, join our email list today.
August 21, 2002
Foreign Policy in Focus has released an excellent policy report by Middle East Editor Stephen Zunes. Seven Fallacies of U.S. Plans to Invade Iraq deals elloquently with difficult issues such as the illegality of U.S. military action against Iraq, regional opposition to war, Iraqi links toterrorists, Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, and nonmilitary options.
August 20, 2002
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) News Conference Opposing War in Iraq. Featuring former UN Weapons Inspector Scott Ritter, Fourth Freedom Forum President David Cortright, and Inst. for Policy Studies Fellow Phyllis Bennis. You can watch the news conference on the C-SPAN website.
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