From: Ismail Zayid
To: Mr. Bill Graham
Cc: Robinson.S@parl.gc.ca ; Geoff. Regan ; The Hon. Ms. Alexa McDonough ; Clark.J@parl.gc.ca ; Day.S@parl.gc.ca
Sent: Wednesday, October 02, 2002 10:41 PM
Subject: Turn-around in Canadian Policy on Iraq.

Canada Palestine Association,
P.O.Box 1085
Halifax, N.S. B3J 2X1
 
Oct. 2, 2002
 
The Hon. Mr. Bill Graham, M.P.
Minister of Foreign affairs.
 
Dear Mr. Graham:
 
We were shocked to hear your statement today announcing this unexplainable turn-around in our country's policy related to the war being planned by Bush and Blair against Iraq. The return of UN inspectors was first used as an excuse, and when Iraq accepted the unconditional admission of the inspectors to Iraq, their tune changed. We were initially proud that Mr. Chretien and yourelf stated clearly that Canada will not join such a war, unless there is clear evidence confirming Iraq's role in terrorism or the threat of war against anybody. None of this evidence is available, so why is this dramatic reversal of policy? Must we allow ourselves to be submissive to US illegal policies that defy international law?
 
It is evident, to any one with an open mind, that Mr. Bush is determined to destroy Iraq for a number of possible motivations, that defy international law, regardless of the inspectors' possible findings. A war against Iraq will cause indescribable death and destruction against innocent civilians. Surely that is not the moral standard that we continue to claim in our foreign policy. This war will result in horrific war crimes and our country should not be a party to that. The innocent people of Iraq have already been subjected to death and devastation as a result of the sanctions imposed by the US and UK over the last twelve years. UN bodies report approximately 1.5 million deaths. over 5,000 children under the age of five die every month because of starvation and disease. The use of depleted uranium has caused a tremendous increase in birth defects and cancer in Iraq. These are war crimes and we should oppose these sanctions.
 
The pretexts, that Bush and Blair use for this war, show a clear policy of hypocrisy and double standards. If the refusal to admit UN inspectors, which was the initial excuse which does no longer exist, why is it acceptable for Israel to refuse to admit UN inspectors, as required in Security Council resolution # 1405?  Mr. Bush says that Iraq stands in defiance of 16 UN resolutions. Israel stands in defiance of over 70 Security Council resolutions, not to mention the scores of resolutions vetoed by the US. Security Council resolution # 1435 of last week is still being defied by Israel. Saddam is accused of thinking about acquiring nuclear weapons, and holding chemical and biological weapons. Israel already has nuclear, chemical  and biological weapons, and has in fact used chemical weapons when the then prime minister B. Netanyahu sent his Mossad agents, carrying Canadian passports, to Amman, Jordan, in 1997, in the attempt to assassinate Khalid Meshal. Israel is working, at the Biological Institute in Nes Tziyona in Israel, on the development of The 'Ethnic Bomb', that would kill Arabs and spare Jews. Are Messrs Bush and Blair planning to invade Israel?
 
Surely, sir,  our country should not be a party to these acts of hypocrisy and war crimes. Peaceful means must be used to deal with this problem, and it appears that Dr. Blix is making excellent progress and should be allowed to proceed unchallenged by the US.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Ismail Zayid, MD
President, Canada Palestine Association.