Open Letter Re: Iraq Attack
Honourable Prime Minister Chrétien,
As the US seems to lumber eagerly and somewhat relentlessly towards an invasion of Iraq -- a country already devastated by previous invasions and continuting economic sanctions -- Canada does nothing. We do not even state a position.
My position -- and that which I think our country should adopt -- is simple: we should not attack Iraq.
Even if, worst case, Iraq is found to be pursuing secret weapons programs after a decade of inspections, invading the country will serve only two purposes: to further devastate it and deepen the humanitarian disaster there; and to make any Iraqis already flirting with Western hatred even more embittered towards us.
Instead, Canada should devote its considerable resources towards two goals vis-a-vis Iraq: convincing other nations of the utility of peaceful means of resolution of the current conflict; and the mitigation of the suffering of Iraqis themselves by providing whatever food, medicine and education we can.
Yours in hope,
Mike Warren
Response
I've already received this response, which is uncharacteristically fast; perhaps they are taking feedback on attacking Iraq seriously. Please consider writing your own letter.
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 09:34:46 -0500 From: "Prime Minister/Premier ministre" <pm [at] pm.gc.ca> To: <mike [at] mike-warren.com> Cc: "Bill Graham" <mina10 [at] dfait-maeci.gc.ca> Subject: Iraq-20-2 Dear Mike Warren: On behalf of the Prime Minister, I would like to acknowledge receipt of your recent e-mail. The time you have taken to write is appreciated and you may be assured that your comments have been noted. Please know that Canadian policy towards Iraq continues to be motivated by our concerns about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and the humanitarian situation of the Iraqi people. These concerns are shared very broadly within the international community and there is strong support for insisting that Iraq meet its disarmament obligations in full. As you are no doubt aware, Iraq accepted United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441. As the Prime Minister said in a recent statement, Canada and the rest of the international community will be watching closely to ensure that Saddam Hussein complies, without condition or delay, and in all respects, with the spirit and letter of the resolution. Should military action prove necessary in the end because Iraq continues to defy the collective will of the international community, we expect that it would take place under United Nations Security Council authorization. I have taken the liberty of forwarding your e-mail to the Honourable Bill Graham, Minister of Foreign Affairs, for his information and review. I am certain that the Minister will appreciate being made aware of your views and will wish to give them every consideration. L.A. Lavell Executive Correspondence Officer Agent de correspondance de la haute direction [snip my attached original message]