Global Policy Forum

(January 3-11, 2001)
Justice Promoters of the Dominican Order*

ENDORSEMENT LETTER

The Justice Promoters of the Dominican Order* in North America, their Iraq Coordinating Committee and the Executive Committee of the Dominican Leadership Conference invite religiously affiliated organizations and congregations to endorse and support a Congressional delegation to Iraq (January 3-11). The delegation offers a unique opportunity to reconsider United States support for comprehensive sanctions against Iraq.

According to numerous United Nations and independent studies, sanctions have caused economic collapse, poverty, hunger and disease throughout Iraq, resulting in the deaths of well over 500,000 children. In recent years, the two highest-ranking U.N. humanitarian officials in Iraq have resigned in protest, arguing that stop-gap measures like the food-for-oil deal do little to slow the senseless and avoidable suffering of innocent civilians. As the primary architects of the sanctions policy, we in the United States cannot simply accuse Iraqi leaders and wash our own hands of responsibility. Every day of continued political stalemate, children die.

In a letter to President Clinton, twenty-four American Christian religious leaders stated "we have long been deeply concerned by clear evidence that the embargo against Iraq is contributing to falling living standards and life expectancy. By almost every measure - - such as malnutrition, child mortality and overall morbidity - - the situation of most Iraqi civilians has deteriorated markedly...Whatever the cause, whoever the adversary, we cannot tolerate the suffering and death of countless innocents...It is time for fresh thinking and new approaches."

A recent Dear Colleague letter to House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert stated, "In the United Nations and the United States, the sanctions policy has become mired in controversy. We want to move beyond this nine-year stalemate and explore options for what can be done now to ensure peace and security in the region without exacting a devastating humanitarian toll on innocent people...The Congress would certainly benefit from a review of the sanctions, as well as the political, social and economic situation in Iraq."

The Congressional delegation comes at an auspicious time - after ten years of war and sanctions, on the eve of a new Presidential administration, and at the end of a Jubilee year (every 50 years) in which we are urged to "raise up the former devastations [and] repair the ruined cities (Isaiah 61)." There have been political delegations to Iraq from Europe and other countries, yet this would be the first high-level visit by U.S. policy-makers. In the spirit of justice and compassion, we strongly support this step towards dialogue and peace-making.

Travel related expenses for members of Congress will be covered through donations. Depending on response from members of Congress, the organizers may need to solicit contributions. Your endorsement does NOT obligate a financial contribution.

* The Dominicans are a Roman Catholic Order of women and men in existence since the 13th century and have a significant presence in Iraq. Since 1998, two North American Dominican delegations have traveled to Iraq.

SELECTED ENDORSERS INCLUDE:
Joseph A. Fiorenza, Bishop of Galveston-Houston (President, US Catholic Conference); Maryknoll Office of Global Concerns; Pax Christi, USA; Fellowship of Reconciliation, USA; Mennonite Central Committee; Provincial Council of the Chicago Province of the School Sisters of Notre Dame; Rev. Daniel J Fox, OFM Cap, Provincial, Detroit Province of Capuchins; Sisters of St. Joseph, Third Order of St. Francis Central Board; Rev. Evan Eckhoff, O.F.M., Order of Friars Minor Provincial, Sacred Heart Province; 8th Day Center for Justice, Chicago; Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, Detroit.

DRAFT CONGRESSIONAL INVITE LETTER:

Dear Congressperson:

The Justice Promoters of the Dominican Order* in North America and the Executive Committee of the Dominican Leadership Conference join with other religiously affiliated organizations and congregations (attached), to invite your participation in a Congressional delegation to Iraq (January 3-11). The delegation would be a hopeful step towards dialogue and peacemaking and offers a unique opportunity to reconsider United States support for comprehensive sanctions against Iraq.

According to numerous United Nations and independent studies, sanctions have caused economic collapse, poverty, hunger and disease throughout Iraq, resulting in the deaths of well over 500,000 children. In recent years, the two highest-ranking U.N. humanitarian officials in Iraq have resigned in protest, arguing that stop-gap measures like the food-for-oil deal do little to slow the senseless and avoidable suffering of innocent civilians. As the primary architects of the sanctions policy, we in the United States cannot simply accuse Iraqi leaders and wash our own hands of responsibility. Every day of continued political stalemate, children die.

In a recent letter to President Clinton, twenty-four American Christian religious leaders stated "we have long been deeply concerned by clear evidence that the embargo against Iraq is contributing to falling living standards and life expectancy. By almost every measure - - such as malnutrition, child mortality and overall morbidity - - the situation of most Iraqi civilians has deteriorated markedly...Whatever the cause, whoever the adversary, we cannot tolerate the suffering and death of countless innocents...It is time for fresh thinking and new approaches."

Maintaining comprehensive sanctions against Iraq has damaged US credibility around the world and generated growing domestic opposition. Recently 70 Congressional representatives sent a letter to President Clinton stating: "The time has come to turn a new page in our dealings with Iraq."

There have been political delegations to Iraq from Europe and other countries, yet this would be the first high-level visit by a delegation of U.S. policy-makers. To gain a comprehensive understanding of life under sanctions, the Congressional delegation will meet with U.N. and Iraqi officials at the highest level, and with members of relief groups, schools, hospitals, religious organizations, and others in Iraq. Expenses will be covered through donations.

The proposed date of departure from New York City is the evening of January 3, 2001. The delegation will arrive in Amman, Jordan the evening of January 4 and leave early the morning of January 5 for the 10-12 hour overland journey to Baghdad (because private aircraft are prohibited from flying within Iraqi airspace). The delegation will spend 4 days in Iraq before returning to Amman on January 10 and New York the following day.

In the spirit of compassion, peace and justice, we urge your consideration of this request to participate in this unique Congressional delegation.