title.gif (31950 bytes)Fellowship of Reconciliation

  1. FOR condemns absolutely the contemplation of using tactical nuclear weapons to bomb Iraq.
  2. FOR calls for the elimination of all weapons of mass destruction--in Iraq, Israel. Iran, the US. Russia and all countries which stockpile such weapons
  3. FOR calls for reevaluation and restructuring of the current effort to eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction
  4. FOR calls for the creation of an inspection team composed of Russian and Jordanian experts (or any other two countries acceptabel both to the US and Iraq) to inspect restricted areas while not jeopardizing the right of Iraqi officials to defend themselves from future attack
  5. FOR calls for the US to respect the institution of the United Nations.
  6. FOR calls for the immediate lifting, or serious modification, of the UN economic embargo of Iraq. UNICEF in a 1997 report stated that at least one million people, including 576,000 children, have died by starvation or preventable disease since the beginning of the embargo.
  7. FOR calls for the immediate taking of steps to relieve the suffering of the Iraqi people and for good-faith efforts to bring Iraq back into the community of nations.

Suggestions for action:

1. Call or e-mail:

FOR's national call-in day on Feb. 2 was very successful. Continue to overwhelm the government with calls of protest. Demand an end to economic sanctions, and state loud and clear "Don't drop the bombs." Encourage your membership to call 202-456-1111; fax 202-456-2461, e-mail: (president@whitehouse.gov) the White House and Capitol; Congressional switchboard 202-224-3121 at least once or every day.

2. Leaflet:

Contact the FOR at 914-358-4601; fax 914-358-4924; e-mail fornati@igc.apc.org for assistance in developing leaflet materials which can be circulated in peaceful gathering outside places such as theares showing thje feature film, Wag the Dog, which portrays a US president who fabricates a war in Albania to divert attention from a sexual scandal; also leaflet at local sites which you feel may provide contact with people of influence, or others who will support this resistance to violent warfare

3. Hold a Public Viewing of a Video

A copy of the 28 minute informative video, "The Children are Dying," made on US attorney Geberal Ramsey Clark's trips to Iraq documenting the mass deaths of children and the effects of sanctions can be obtained by contacting the International Action Center at 212-633-6646

4. Do a "Food Basket Fast, " suggested by Voices in the Wilderness that contains only the food items allowed into Iraq under the "oil-for-food" resolution 986. This includes only 5 lbs. flour, 1.3 lbs. rice, .6 lbs. lentils, 1.1 lb. sugar, .6 lb. cooking oil, 31 grams salt, and 25 grams tea per basket. This nutritionally deficient diet is not suitable for anyone, much less a growing child.

5. Prayer Vigil:

Former FOR chairperson Sr. Mary Evelyn Jegen has written a wonderful prayer:

"We come to you, compassionate God, carrying in our hearts men and women who need your gifts of love, wisdom, and courage: Bill Clinton, Saddam Hussein, Tarik Aziz, Madeleine Albright, Richard Butler, and their associates who participate in their decision-making. Speak to them; give them hearts that can hear both you and the cries of the poor as you hear them.

We come on behalf of those held hostage to policy decisions made in Iraq, the US, and the United Nations. These policies continue to condemn helpless people to die. We are especially burdened and haunted by more than a half million children who have already perished.

We pray that those in power will deal with differences as problems to be solved together. Grant them the courage to engage in genuine, respectful dialogue and the wisdom to save the lives of those dying for lack of food and medicine, and now living under the threat of bombs as well.

As for ourselves, we confess how often we have been silent when those considered our enemies were attacked. Forgive us for the times when our hearts have been cold as they suffered. We ask now for compassion and courage to act in behalf of our sisters and brothers in Iraq.

WRITE TO YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPERS

SAMPLE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

example #1

Dear Editor:

Seven years after the enormous carnage of the last Persian Gulf War, the government of the United States is preparing, almost unilaterally, for a new wave of military attacks, ostensibly to destroy possible stockpiles of Iraqi chemical and biological weapons.But the most horrible weapon of mass destruction at work in this scenario is the weapon of economic sanctions against the Iraqi women and children who have nothing to do with Saddam's military machine or his regional ambitions.

Indeed, the United nations estimates that perhaps one million Iraqis, including 600,000 children not even born when the first war broke out in 1991, have perished from malnutrition and lack of medical care as a direct consequence of these sanctions against their country.

I join with Pope John Paul II, the Secretary General of the United Nations, and millions of people of conscience in this nations and around the world in opposing any renewal of U.S. attackes against the Iraqi people. The death, destruction, and suffering that would result from renewed military violence is morally and spiritually unacceptable.

Sincerely,

(your name and affiliation)

example #2

Dear Editor,

The period of Januray 30th through SApril 4th, 1998, is being celebrated as A Season for Nonviolence here in the United States and around the world. This period commemorates the lives and visions of this century's most outstanding apostles of peace-making: Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Lutehr King, Jr. on the occasions of their 50th and 30th memorial anniversaries. Hundreds of cities and national organizations are actively participating in educational and action campaigns, convened by the Association for Global New Thought, and made visible to media locally and nationally.

FIFTY PERCENT OF ALL GOVERNORS IN THE UNITED STATES have issued official Proclamations, and international leaders, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet, Vice President Al Gore, H.E. Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the UN, UNESCO Secretary General, Arun Gandhi (grandson of M.K. Gandhi), Jesse Jackson, Ambsdr. Andrew Young, and Robert Muller.

As a citizen of the United States and a citizen of the world, I call upon our government, in the spirit of A Season for Nonviolence, to honor the memory of both Gandhi and King by refusing to initiate military attacks against the people of Iraq while continuing to work for nonviolent, diplomatic solutions to the present crisis.

As a strong and growing network of committed organizations and individuals, we assure our government that, in studying the principles and methods for nonviolent civil resistance set down by our mentors, we feel we have developed the courage necessary to carry on their practices in this time of political and moral challenge.

Sincerely,

(your name and affiliation)