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
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