For ten years severe economic sanctions have been imposed on Iraq by the United Nations and kept in place by the United States. I wanted to see the impact of the sanctions and listen to Iraqi people tell their stories about the current situation. In many ways the children reflect the reality of life in Iraq.

The United Nations (UNICEF) reports that 5,000 children die each month as a result of the economic sanctions. The sanctions prevent some agricultural products, medical supplies and equipment from entering the country as well as items considered “dual use” (possible military application) such as chlorine for water purification and pencils (graphite). The Iraqi Health Ministry and the medical staffs of the hospitals told us of the lack of adequate medicines to treat diarrhea and other water related diseases. In 1990, 90% of Iraq had purified water; today 50% of the people live with untreated water. Doctors spoke of the increase in leukemia and other birth defects due to suspected radiation exposure of mothers from the 300 tons of radioactive dust left from Depleted Uranium shells used by the U.S. in the Gulf War. We saw graphic photographs of the deformities which doctors say have increased significantly in the past five years (the incubation period for radiation). Pediatricians reported a serious increase in diseases such as Marasmus and Kawashiorkor due to malnutrition. These diseases were almost extinct ten years ago. We saw children in burn wards suffering from the lack of antibiotics. The withholding of basic medications under the sanctions is clearly causing direct suffering of children.

Ten years ago education in Iraq was free at every level and there was a highly educated middle class. Children received free books and school supplies. Today children attend class on a limited basis in classrooms without adequate supplies. Teachers are distracted by their own need to have a second job to compensate their minimal salary. A decade ago in the universities students received (free of charge) all their books, room, board, photocopy expenses and a small salary. Today students share text books and use photocopies for their texts. Professional magazines and journals are prohibited under the sanctions, so libraries lack current resources for scholarship in every field of study. The director of UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Education Fund) told us the people are becoming “fatalistic” and children are questioning the value of attending school since their parents--who may be engineers, professors, doctors or other professional people--are working as clerks, taxi drivers and waiters to make supplemental income.

The sanctions have created a climate of serious decline in the economic life of the Iraqi people. The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator told us that Iraq is now listed as a “least developed” country along with countries like Sierra Leone and Afghanistan. The children have known nothing but decline over the past ten years.

At Mosul University, the Dean of the College of Education offered a powerful statement saying that in 25 years the children of the United States will have to deal with the children of Iraq, and the children of Iraq will not forget the suffering they have endured. It is terribly shortsighted for the United States to continue a campaign of economic injustice against the people of Iraq. This will not build peace in the future.

The children of Iraq are rooted in a society of strong religious faith. Ninety-seven percent of the people are Muslim with about three percent Christian. All are relying on God to care for them. One Imam told us there is a tremendous increase in Muslims attending the Mosque and in students pursuing Islamic studies. This deep faith is a source of strength which sustains Iraqi people.

Finally, it is not only the Iraqi children who suffer; we must ask what legacy is being offered to children in the United States. Through the demonization of Saddam Hussein, are we teaching our children hate and violence? In blaming the economic suffering of the Iraqi people on the government of Iraq, are we teaching our children to deny personal responsibility for the actions of our government? What has happened to critical thinking and ethical and moral responsibility? Our children will eventually pay a price for this void in their world view.

In 1996, U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright made her infamous statement on 60 Minutes that the death of half a million children was sad but “we think the price is worth it.” Given this attitude in U.S. policy, is it any surprise that the U.S. is one of the few nations that has not signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child? How can children be seen as expendable tools of foreign policy?

The work of justice cries out to stop the economic sanctions, save the children, and build bridges of personal relationships with the people of Iraq. There is no doubt that we will reap what we sow. Let us be about sowing the seeds of peace.

Postscript: It is clear that the U.S. approach of economic sanctions will not change the Iraqi government. The government and the elite of Iraq have wealth and illicit trade which allow them to maintain their lifestyle. They are not going to supplement the needs of the general public by using their resources. Therefore, the sanctions are only serving to cripple the middle class of Iraq. A weak middle class will never be able to bring about any political change even if they want to. There are two approaches to ending the sanctions. One is the continued effort to change U.S. policy through the political process. The other is to let common sense and justice prevail, and violate the embargo or find ways around it. The American Friends Service Committee and the Fellowship of Reconciliation are launching a ”Campaign of Conscience” to challenge the policy of economic sanctions.

Byron Plumley and other members of the Colorado delegation to Iraq are available for speaking engagements on his Iraq trip. They can be contacted at AFSC: 303-623-3464 or at their website: American Friends Service Committee- Colorado

^1. Footsteps is the newsletter of AFSC-Colorado