If U.N. sanctions were terminated - and if the lives of the people were to be restored and the economy rebuilt and society and culture restored - the capacity to go forward with change via a multiparty democracy, as foreseen in the constitutional change under consideration, could become viable. The United Nations has cruelly damaged the social, economic and cultural rights of the Iraqi people under sanctions for over 12 years. We have allowed massive loss of life. We have allowed a state of war to stand ever since 1991. Rather than initiate massive new aggression, we should reach out to the people of Iraq and offer our assistance. We should fully recognize the sovereignty of the country and the unique qualities of its ancient people. We should focus on stopping the war of Bush now, and starting the process of restoring the well-being of the children, the families, the people of Iraq. Iraq is for the Iraqis - they and only they can determine what and when is best. And they can only begin when the U.S. withdraws its forces and ends its interference; when the U.N. terminates its deadly embargo; and we as individuals take responsibility for demanding that our respective governments act within international
law.

Denis J. Halliday -- January 26, 2003
Former Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations
Former head of U.N. Oil-for-Food Programme
http://www.un.org/Depts/oip

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