CONTACT the French Foreign Ministry, Let the French Know of Our Opposition to the Illegal Action of a War on Iraq

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Special Reports: October 7, 2002: RPCVs discuss pre-emptive strike on Iraq: CONTACT the French Foreign Ministry, Let the French Know of Our Opposition to the Illegal Action of a War on Iraq

By Colin Gallagher on Monday, October 21, 2002 - 3:30 am: Edit Post

As of Friday, October 18, 2002, the French vote in the U.N. Security Council is the last barrier to the beginnings of World War III. The French vote may occur at any day within the week following October 20th.

You can contact the French Foreign Ministry by e-mail directly, using the below link:

http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/courrier/default.asp?lang=gb

It is recommended to copy your message to Amnesty International via e-mail, at: admin-us@aiusa.org

Here is an example letter you can use:

From: (your name), RPCV
(address line 1)
(address line 2)
USA

To: French Foreign Ministry
Cc: Amnesty International

Re.: DO NOT SUPPORT THE WAR ON IRAQ

Dear Friend,

I am writing you today to implore you not to allow my government, the government of the United States of America, to invade Iraq!

When the Vietnam war was imminent for the United States, a reasoning was given by the American government that the French needed our assistance, and the justification for war being the so-called "need" to repel Communism.

Now the United States is once more in a position where a decision by France could allow our war-hungry U.S. government to cast us into a global conflict, but this time, it would be not only a losing battle, as with Vietnam, but a battle from which we would not be able to return -- one which would envelop the world in violence for hundreds of years to come, and one which would put entire regions of the globe at risk of nuclear war.

In an article published on October 18, 2002, by The Guardian, it was stated that "France was under pressure last night to agree to the (recent U.S.) compromise." This article further stated that "Western officials with knowledge of the security council discussions said that if (Iraq's) declaration (falls) far short of the US estimate of
Iraq's stockpile of biological and chemical weapons, and its nuclear programme, the US could declare the Baghdad regime in "material breach" of its obligations and demand UN backing for an attack even before inspectors went to Iraq."

Surely France cannot vote in favor of U.S. President Bush's attempts to bypass the court of international opinion, and the authority of the
U.N.!

Please! Not another "Gulf of Tonkin!" Say no to the U.S. attempts to a war without first categorically allowing weapons inspection! Say no to my government's attempt to create a Global War!

Sincerely,

(your name), RPCV

By Thomas Jeffers on Saturday, October 26, 2002 - 7:51 pm: Edit Post

It seems that weapons inspections have been tried and failed. The appeasement approach horribly backfired in North Korea and there is no reason to believe it would work with Iraq. So if we do not go to war against Saddam and the oppressed Iraqis are not freed I will know who bears some responsibility when terrorists with ties to Saddam again penetrate our borders and kill thousands of citizens. Certainly not all, but some of the "Peace" Corps volunteers who rallied international governments with large financial stakes in a tyrannical Iraq to oppose upholding UN Resolutions will bear some responsibility. Consider that before you protest the war with Saddam's business cronies in Paris.

By Thomas Jeffers on Saturday, October 26, 2002 - 7:54 pm: Edit Post

It seems that weapons inspections have been tried and failed. The appeasement approach horribly backfired in North Korea and there is no reason to believe it would work with Iraq. So if we do not go to war against Saddam and the oppressed Iraqis are not freed I will know who bears some responsibility when terrorists with ties to Saddam again penetrate our borders and kill thousands of citizens. Certainly not all, but some of the "Peace" Corps volunteers who rallied international governments with large financial stakes in a tyrannical Iraq to oppose upholding UN Resolutions will bear some responsibility. Consider that before you protest the war with Saddam's business cronies in Paris.

By Joanne Marie Roll (joey) on Sunday, October 27, 2002 - 3:35 pm: Edit Post

t would be helpful to know who Tom Jeffers is. It would be helpful to know who thinks RPCVs have somehow forfeited their First Amendment rights. As for his "talking points"- they have been parroted around the right wing talk radio circuit for weeks. The link between Iraq and the AlQueda has not been substantiated. No matter how many time Rush repeats that rant, it still lacks validity..

I respect the right of all Americans to follow their conscience. This war debate demands the very best of us. It is not the time to be attacking people of principle. It is those who would destroy America by attempting to turn loyal Americans against each other who frighten me. We should be grateful for every single person with the courage to stand up for what they believe: particularly on this sad day, when that small number has gotten even smaller. Joanne Roll Colombia 63-65

By Paul Rotermund on Tuesday, February 04, 2003 - 4:20 pm: Edit Post

This time the French have it wrong! I was against the previous Gulf War, and I often appreciate the French differences that are brought to the table in international affairs.
This time however, I think the French leadership is discounting the threat of proliferation that Iraq presents. Of course, the French would not be the primary target of Iraq or Al Qaeda usage of Weapons of Mass destruction, Americans would.
The French are seemingly indifferent to this point of view and are not demonstrating themselves as true friends of the US. Being of French background, I am deeply aggravated at your indifference! I will be damned if we sit here, appease that tyrant, let him build and dispense these horrible weapons, and then watch New York be victim to another atrocity.

By janetzuiderwijk on Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 11:24 am: Edit Post

How, in the name of God, can modern civil people think that they can throw bombs on cities and innocent people to make peace?
First Bush told us that Iraq has illegal weapons, well i don't want to know what is hidden there in the USA. Then when weapons where not found in Irak, we got the message from Bush that he wanted to free the people of Iraq, but he has made a mistake because you can't make people enthousiastic by throwing bombs on their country. And since when does America cares about other people? It's oil and the mighty weapon industry that makes .Bush and his friends greedy.

Stop that war! Go home and mind your own bussiness Bush!

By username on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 1:13 pm: Edit Post

Thanks Janet for your little bit of presumptousness, "...you can't make people enthusiastic by throwing bombs on their country." I don't know if you saw the statue of Saddam that was torn down to the cheers of Iraqi citizens and dragged through the streets of Baghdad, with enthusiastic citizens beating it on the head with their shoes. I guess your right we can't make people entusiastic by throwing bombs on their country. But I guess we can by unseating a tyrannical government and begginning the alleviation of 25 years of oppression.

Do us all a favor next time and understand the facts before you post!!! Until then maybe YOU should mind your own business.

By username on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 2:22 pm: Edit Post

Hey 'username'

Talk about checking your facts.... if you had paid attention to the entire news program you would've noticed that that statue was not toppled by Iraqi citizens, it was toppled by US servicemen. That crowd of people following that 'Head' was more than half US and UK journalists...

and the idea that we can take over a country just because we can actually take it over at the end of a gun is a huge shift in US policy... not to mention arrogant and abusive and not likely to serve US long term interests...

If GW was really against a regime such as Hussein's why aren't we going after the Saudi's or Syria? Because that's not in US interest... theoretically... actually that wouldn't be in the interest of GW's oil buddies which is a lot more important to our President than the health and welfare of Iraqi's...

nothing in life is black n white... including your 'facts'....

I also noticed that Janet used her name... you didn't...

Kim Fiji 58

By Brian Smith on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 - 3:44 pm: Edit Post

For all you people who don't think that you can achieve peace by force, maybe you should look at history. I am so happy to see all you peace freaks eating your words. By that I mean 72% approval rating for President Bush. I have noticed how pathetic your turnouts for your anti-american protests have become. :) That makes me happy!!!

God Bless America and you anti-american scum can go to hell!

By Joanne Marie Roll (joey) on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 - 11:19 pm: Edit Post

Dear Brian Smith, If you are a RPCV; then, please identify yourself by country and year. If you are not, then let me explain to you that that peace corps is the UNITED STATES PEACE CORPS. Peace Corps Volunteers serve their country, honorably, take an oath to uphold the constitution of the United States as well as protect her from enemies, both foreign and domestic. The ugliness of your posting serves the purposes of those who wish to divide this country. I have always thought this website is for people who passionately care about America and who engage in debate because that is one good way to keep this country great. I hope to hell you were not in the Peace Corps and are not one of us. Joanne Marie Roll Colombia 63-65


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