March 1998

On January 17th 1998, seventh anniversary of the Gulf War, Comitato Golfo and Un Ponte per... - which have been fighting for the lifting of the embargo on Iraq for seven years - have launched a campaign, based on the enclosed appeal, to press for Italy’s unilateral lifting of the embargo against Iraq.

The campaign will attempt to widen public awareness of the scale of the genocide, of Italy’s involvement in it and of the necessity to put it to an end. It will promote debates, information, initiatives and various forms of pressure aimed at Italy’s dissociation.

To those who share the objectives of the campaign, we ask to join and co-operate in publicising our material, sending financial contributions and taking contacts for the organisation of debates and initiatives.

A particular direct commitment is expected from parliamentarians and all political forces.

For information, adhesions, financial contributions write to: "BREAK THE EMBARGO" CAMPAIGN SECRETARIAT, c/o COMITATO GOLFO, v. Festa del Perdono 6, 20122, Milano, Italy. Tel. (0)2/58315437, fax (0)2/58302611, e-mail: comitato.golfo@agora.it

For financial contributions: post-office accounts ccp.34898205 and ccp.23229206 held by Comitato Golfo, Milano, stating the name of the campaign "Break the Embargo."

To order the information package (containing the leaflet "Break the Embargo," the booklet "Embargos" offered by the Globalise-Action Campaign; printed cards to be sent to the Cabinet; a copy of the appeal for the collection of signatures; the Campaign’s logo) write to UN PONTE PER... (v. della Guglia 69/a, 00186 Roma, Italy. Tel. (0)6/6780808, fax (0)6/6793968, post-office account ccp.59927004 held by Un Ponte per...; e-mail: abridge@tin.it). Price: Lit. 10,000 (p&p included) each, or Lit. 5,000 (p&p not included) for orders of five or more.

It is now largely documented that the embargo against Iraq has killed hundreds of thousands of women, men and children, over one million of them according to the humanitarian agencies of the U.N., by depriving them of food and medicines. It is a reprisal against innocent people which cannot be justified with responsibilities, whether real or alleged, of the Baghdad government. This veritable genocide violates all international treaties on human rights - to begin with the Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians during conflicts - also signed by Italy and which Italy must respect before and beyond the resolutions of the Security Council.

Only a clear and total dissociation from the embargo could spare our country the infamous accusation of "accomplice" in this crime.

We demand the Government to respect the international conventions on human rights and, therefore, Italy’s immediate unilateral lifting of the embargo: