A very challenging question, yet I will endeavor to answer. I presume
that since you hate war, you are seeking non-violent means of
opposition.
First, if you believe that allowing weapons inspectors into Iraq will
remove the threat of a preemptive attack on Iraq by the United States
of America, then you can put your energies into supporting those who
are pushing the Iraqi leadership to allow United Nations inspectors
complete access.
If, on the other hand, you believe that the United States of America
will attack Iraq regardless of whether or not U. N. weapons inspectors
are allowed "unfettered access" to Iraq, then you can consider joining
local anti-war organizers in your area. On your own, or with the
support of other war protesters, you can attempt to contact members of
the public, media, and government to express your viewpoint and
influence the democratic process.
Finally, if you believe that the war can be averted by Iraq changing
its leadership before the United States of America strikes, you can
attempt to encourage Iraqi "opposition groups" who are trying to
overthow their nation's current leadership. This may be less tenable
to you, presuming you are seeking a non-violent resolution to this
issue, since regime change in a dictatorship generally requires the
use of force.
Below I have provided the names of people and organizations involved
in the options described above, and contact information when
practical. I hope you find the information useful and easy to
understand. However, if it is unclear, please do not hesitate to
request a clarification.
Resuming Weapons Inspections:
Scott Ritter, former UN Weapons Inspector and former United States
Marine can be contacted through this agency for speaking engagements.
He is opposed to the current war effort, though he does support
weapons inspections.
http://www.greatertalent.com/bios/ritter.shtml
United States Congress Reps. David Bonior and Scott McDermott
These two congressmen recently traveled to Iraq to encourage the Iraqi
leadership to allow weapons inspections in an effor to avert the war.
The following web site can be used to find their web sites, as well as
the web site for other members.
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.html
http://davidbonior.house.gov/
http://www.house.gov/mcdermott/
Anti-War Protesting:
National Network To End The War Against Iraq: Provides information
about national and local events to engage the public with anti-war
sentiments. Also provides encouragement for making the war an issue
in the November election.
http://www.endthewar.org/
Iraq Peace Pledge
A way to have your name associated with citizens opposed to the war,
and a way to quickly join contact lists for various anti-war
organizations.
http://peacepledge.org/
Antiwar.com
A portal for "news, viewpoints, and activities" about the antiwar
movmenet, including links to an active message forum.
http://www.antiwar.com/
International A.N.S.W.E.R.
An anti-war activist portal with a more complicated agenda than some
of the others listed.
http://www.internationalanswer.org/
Michael Moore
Often in the forefront of these issues. An active forum is worth
investigating.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/
Iraqi Opposition Groups:
"a Iraqi National Congress
b Iraq National Accord.
c Iraqi National Liberals. (INL)
d Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI).
e Kurdish Democratic Party and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan"
http://www.cooperativeresearch.org/wotiraq/Iraqi_opposition_groups.htm
Search Terms: Scott Ritter David Bonior Jim McDermott
(and individually)
://www.google.com/search?q=Scott+Ritter+David+Bonior+Jim+McDermott
Search Terms: Stop the war with Iraq
://www.google.com/search?q=stop+the+war+with+Iraq
Search Terms: opposition groups Iraq attempting to overthrow Saddam
://www.google.com/search?q=opposition+groups+attempting+to+overthrow+Saddam |
Clarification of Answer by
snapanswer-ga
on
30 Sep 2002 17:13 PDT
I recognize your frustration with this topic, and I understand why it
may appear that war is inevitable. My impression is that your
clarification questions are rhetorical questions, and I will address
them briefly below. To answer them completely is probably beyond the
scope of your original question.
It is my hope that, on balance, my original answer does provide you
with realistic avenues for action against the war, within the context
of your question. I hope that you will consider my answer with that
in mind. Unfortunately, there is no action that one can know with a
certainty that will lead to preventing the war. However, inaction
will not prevent the war. I encourage you to consider that
individuals can have a dramatic impact on world events.
Scott Ritter is an excellent example of this, as he has waged an
effective one-man campaign against the war for the past year while
elected opposition leaders remained silent.
Wang Weilin, the lone man who stood in front of tanks to stop their
progress into Tiananmen Square had a dramatic influence on events in
China, as pictured here:
The Guardian, "Tiananmen: 10 Years On"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Tiananmen/
Martin Luther King, Gandhi, and others have successfully stood for the
peaceful resolution of conflict. I hope you will consider carefully
that your talents, energies, and effort can make a difference.
To briefly address your questions:
"Which country has the largest number of atomic weapon?
Should UN attack THIS country before attacking Iraq?"
I will presume (but have not confirmed) that the United States of
America has the largest number of atomic weapons, for the sake of this
discussion. However, it does not follow that this should lead the
United Nations to attack the USA. In addition, given that the United
States is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and has the
option to veto all measures of the Security Council, it would be
difficult for the UN to take military action against the USA.
Finally, an attack by the UN or anyone else upon the United States of
America would run counter to your stated opposition to war.
I hope that upon reflection, you will find that this information has
been helpful in your search for options.
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