Friday, Oct. 25, 2002 

 

SPEAKER URGES CAUTION ON WAR WITH IRAQ AND CRITICIZES UN SANCTIONS

 

(GARDNER)-- George Capaccio of the human-rights organization, Voices in the Wilderness, told an audience at Mount Wachusett Community College that United Nations (U.N.) sanctions against Iraq have caused significant damage to its civilian population and criticized U.S. policy advocating war and regime change in Iraq.

	George Capaccio

Capaccio, who has visited Iraq at least eight times since 1997 to live with Iraqi families, said that over 400,000 Iraqi children under the age of five have died because of U.N. sanctions against the country. In addition, infant mortality has increased 164% in the past 12 years. According to Capaccio, life-saving food and medical supplies cannot reach a civilian population that is in desperate need.

Capaccio acknowledged that the Iraqi dictatorship of Saddam Hussein has one of the world’s “worst human rights records.” He said the Iraqi government has, “provoked war with Iran, invaded Kuwait and committed genocide against Kurds in northern Iraq.” Despite this, Capaccio said he does not see Iraq as enough of a threat to warrant going to war or imposing sanctions. “Iraq was defeated in 43 days in 1991,” said Cappacio. “I don’t believe myself that Iraq is much of a threat to the rest of the world. It is a threat to its people.”

Although he does not support the sanctions, Cappacio does think weapons inspections are needed. “We don’t know the extent of their arms.”

Cappacio has published articles and a book on the topic. His video entitled The Light Still Trembles received first prize for peace writing from the University of Arkansas in 1999. The video has been seen on campuses and on cable channels across the country.

The talk was sponsored by the Mount Wachusett Community College Faculty and Professional Staff Association.