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Action Alert - Wellington events - Friday Peace Movement AotearoaPO Box 9314, Wellington. Tel (04) 382 8129, fax (04) 382 8173, pma@apc.org.nzIssued 24 November 1998 Iraq Sanctions Rally FRIDAY 27 NOVEMBER 12.15 PM, PARLIAMENT GROUNDS Join the demonstration calling for the lifting of the food and medicine sanctions on Iraq ! Come and show the government that New Zealanders do not support the sanctions which have caused the deaths of over 1.5 million people in Iraq - 750,000 of them children (UN figures, 1997). The real issue is the need for an acceptable plan for the lifting of economic sanctions. This might mean a plan in which the progress of the inspections earns Iraq a reciprocal lifting of the sanctions, or a complete de-linking of the economic sanctions from the weapons inspections. While we fully support an arms embargo on the government of Iraq, we also recognise that the sanctions have firmed the grip of Saddam Hussein on the people of Iraq and caused untold suffering amongst the most vulnerable sectors of society in Iraq - women, the sick, the aged and - most clearly - the children. The sanctions have been described by former NZ Director-General of Health, Professor George Salmond, as a ‘public health disaster’. Children have been hit the hardest, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) reporting that mortality rates of children less than five years of age have increased six times since 1990. This year, the prestigious Lancet medical journal reported that child leukaemia rates have increased four times, and UNICEF nutrition surveys show stubborn malnutrition rates for under ones and fives of about 30%. Former US Attorney General Ramsey Clarke describes the current sanctions regime as an act of genocide under the Geneva Genocide Conventions. Please bring placards, banners and things to say. Contact: Manu Caddie, anytime at subsonic@ihug.co.nz, or tel 04 384 3903 (Friday morning only) Part of the international action against the economic sanctions which are killing the people of Iraq.
INTERNATIONAL BUY NOTHING DAY
10 AM TO 3 PM - we will be giving out information in lower Cuba Mall (near Whitcoulls and the bucket fountain) and inviting people to 'take time out' from the pressures of consumerism. We will also be pointing out that for those who are unemployed or on low incomes, every day is 'Buy Nothing Day'. 12 NOON TO 2 PM - there will be free vegetarian food (burgers, cakes etc - we aim to give away 200 free burgers). Everyone is welcome! Contact: Food Not Bombs, PO Box 9263, Wellington. Ph: 04 385 6728
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