DATE=12/17/98 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-243165 TITLE=BOMBING OPPOSITION (S/L) BYLINE=MICHAEL LELAND DATELINE=CHICAGO CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: PUBLIC OPINION POLLS TAKEN LATE WEDNESDAY BY MAJOR U-S BROADCASTING NETWORKS SUGGEST ANYWHERE FROM 60 TO 80-PERCENT OF AMERICANS SUPPORT THE LATEST MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ. SOME AMERICANS WHO OPPOSE THE BOMBARDMENT PLANNED VIGILS IN SEVERAL U-S CITIES (THURSDAY). CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL LELAND REPORTS ONE CHICAGO-BASED GROUP IS GOING AHEAD WITH ITS PLANS TO SEND A DELEGATION TO BAGHDAD. TEXT: THE GROUP, "VOICES IN THE WILDERNESS," SAYS BOMBING IRAQ ONLY COMPOUNDS THE SUFFERING ITS PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED DURING EIGHT YEARS OF INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC SANCTIONS. KITTY KELLY IS THE ORGANIZATION'S COORDINATOR. // KELLY ACT #1 // OF COURSE WE DO NOT THINK THE BOMBARDMENT WAS LEGAL, IT IS ILLEGAL. WE DO NOT THINK IT WAS MORAL, IT IS IMMORAL. WE THINK THAT THE TIMING, OF COURSE, RAISES SO MANY QUESTIONS. WE FEAR GREATLY THAT WHAT THE UNITED STATES REALLY WANTS TO DO IS JUST END THE WEAPONS INSPECTION PROGRAM COMPLETELY, SO THEY WILL HAVE AN EXCUSE TO KEEP THE SANCTIONS ON. // END ACT // MS. KELLY AND TWO OTHER GROUP MEMBERS PLAN TO LEAVE CHICAGO LATE THURSDAY FOR AMMAN, JORDAN, AND PLAN TO TRAVEL TO BAGHDAD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THEY WILL TAKE TOYS FOR IRAQI CHILDREN AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES, DESPITE A WARNING FROM U-S OFFICIALS THAT THEY COULD FACE 160-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN FINES. // REST OPT // OTHER HUMANITARIAN GROUPS HAVE RECEIVED LICENSES TO SEND MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO IRAQ, BUT MS. KELLY SAYS APPLYING FOR SUCH PERMISSION WOULD BE TO RECOGNIZE THE AUTHORITY OF WHAT SHE CALLS -- AN ORGANIZATION WAGING WARFARE AGAINST HELPLESS PEOPLE. // KELLY ACT #2 // AFTER THE BOMBARDMENT, EVERY SEWAGE AND SANITATION FACILITY, EVERY ELECTRICAL FACILITY THAT IS GOING TO BE PUT AT ANY LESSER FUNCTIONING IS GOING TO BE LINKED TO RISING DEATH TOLLS. SEVEN-THOUSAND CHILDREN, ACCORDING TO UNITED NATIONS STATISTICS, ARE DYING EVERY SINGLE MONTH. THAT IS A SLAUGHTER OF INNOCENTS. // END ACT // VOICES IN THE WILDERNESS IS PLANNING A SMALL RALLY (LATE THURSDAY) IN DOWNTOWN CHICAGO IN HOPES OF GIVING AMERICANS WHAT IT CALLS THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY OF THE U-S POLICY TOWARD IRAQ. // KELLY ACT #3 // I LISTENED TO PRESIDENT CLINTON LAST NIGHT AND IT JUST CERTAINLY MADE IT SEEM LIKE THERE IS A DUEL GOING ON WITH JUST ONE OTHER PERSON. THERE IS MORE THAN ONE PERSON WHO LIVES IN IRAQ. // END ACT // CRITICISM OF THE MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ ALSO CAME WEDNESDAY FROM THE CHICAGO OFFICES OF THE AMERICAN ARAB ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMITTEE AND THE ISLAMIC ASSOCIATION FOR PALESTINE. (SIGNED) NEB/MJL/RAE 17-Dec-98 11:14 AM EST (1614 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
