wfn.org | Iraq Crisis: AFSC Urges Diplomacy

[Mustafa Malik <MMalik@afsc.org>]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE		        Contacts:  William H. Pierre (215) 241-7142
February 4, 1998			        Kathy Bergen (215) 241-7019

AFSC Urges Creative Diplomacy to Untangle Iraq Crisis  

PHILADELPHIA -- The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) urged
President Clinton on Wednesday to hold back from any air strikes against
Iraq and continue the search for a diplomatic solution to the crisis over
the UN arms inspectors’ access to Iraqi presidential sites.

"Diplomacy can work," said AFSC Executive Director Kara Newell, "if given
enough  time, support and creativity."

On Monday, Defense Secretary William Cohen warned of a "significant"
military campaign, "far more than experienced" by Iraqis, should the
standoff persist.

In a letter faxed to the president, Newell said the threatened military
attack would "inevitably result in heavy loss of life."  It also would "end
the U.N. inspection program in Iraq" and shore up support for Iraqi
President Saddam Hussein among people in the Middle East "who consider the
present U.N.-imposed sanctions regime to be unjust."

As a Quaker peace and justice organization, the AFSC is engaged in
disarmament, human rights, economic and social justice and development
programs in 43 U.S. locations and 22 foreign countries.  Along with a
sister organization in Britain, the AFSC accepted a Nobel Peace Prize,
awarded to the Quakers for their humanitarian work during and after the two
world wars.

Newell said "the most significant threat" to long-term peace in the Middle
East has been posed by an unprecedented stampede among nations to export
arms to that region.  She deplored that the United States, "instead of
pursuing a course of regional disarmament," is "leading the way" in that
armament race. 

She pointed out that Quakers have long been "working toward a regime of
disarmament and arms control" and are "deeply troubled about Iraq's
manufacturing and previous use of weapons of mass destruction."  She also
acknowledged the importance of Baghdad's compliance with U.N. resolutions.
She stressed, however, that use of force and continuation of the economic
sanctions would escalate the suffering of Iraqi civilians.

						--30—

The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization which
includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice,
peace, and humanitarian service.  Its work is based in the belief in the
worth of every person, and faith in the power of love to overcome violence
and injustice.

Mustafa Malik
Director of Media Relations
American Friends Service Committee
PH: 215/241-7060
FAX: 215/241-7275
E-MAIL: mmalik@afsc.org
http://www.afsc.org