Fax to Bush on War Crimes
President George W Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington DC 20501
Fax: (202) 456-2461
Saturday, May 15, 2004
Dear Mr. President,
United States forces in Iraq are currently engaged in aerial bombardment of inhabited urban areas of Baghdad, Najaf and Karbala. You must realize that these operations are in violation of the Hague and Geneva Conventions that govern the responsibilities of an occupying power towards civilians in occupied territory. You must also realize that, as Commander-in-Chief of U.S. forces, you are accountable under international law for these violations.
As an American, I must protest against the continuing violation of international law by my government. The invasion of Iraq was an act of aggressive war that did not meet internationally accepted standards for preventive military action (see the Caroline case, the Nuremberg judgment and the U.N. Charter). The treatment of Iraqi prisoners has consistently violated the Geneva Conventions, and these violations have continued for over a year in spite of persistent warnings by the International Committee of the Red Cross. And now, despite worldwide outrage, U.S. forces persist in the use of battlefield weapons in areas inhabited by large numbers of civilians who are legally under their protection.
During the invasion of Iraq, Jane’s Air-Launched Weapons estimated the accuracy of American “precision guided” weapons at 75-85%, which constituted a notable improvement since the Kosovo campaign of 1998. This makes it clear, however, that about 20% of these weapons will inevitably miss their targets, and that this is well understood by U.S. commanders. There is therefore no possible justification for the use of these weapons in inhabited urban areas by occupation forces.
I trust that you are aware of your responsibilities to the people of Iraq under international law, and that you will therefore order an immediate cessation of these operations.
Yours sincerely
Cc: Congressman Kendrick Meek
Senator Bob Graham
Senator Bill Nelson
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington DC 20501
Fax: (202) 456-2461
Saturday, May 15, 2004
Dear Mr. President,
United States forces in Iraq are currently engaged in aerial bombardment of inhabited urban areas of Baghdad, Najaf and Karbala. You must realize that these operations are in violation of the Hague and Geneva Conventions that govern the responsibilities of an occupying power towards civilians in occupied territory. You must also realize that, as Commander-in-Chief of U.S. forces, you are accountable under international law for these violations.
As an American, I must protest against the continuing violation of international law by my government. The invasion of Iraq was an act of aggressive war that did not meet internationally accepted standards for preventive military action (see the Caroline case, the Nuremberg judgment and the U.N. Charter). The treatment of Iraqi prisoners has consistently violated the Geneva Conventions, and these violations have continued for over a year in spite of persistent warnings by the International Committee of the Red Cross. And now, despite worldwide outrage, U.S. forces persist in the use of battlefield weapons in areas inhabited by large numbers of civilians who are legally under their protection.
During the invasion of Iraq, Jane’s Air-Launched Weapons estimated the accuracy of American “precision guided” weapons at 75-85%, which constituted a notable improvement since the Kosovo campaign of 1998. This makes it clear, however, that about 20% of these weapons will inevitably miss their targets, and that this is well understood by U.S. commanders. There is therefore no possible justification for the use of these weapons in inhabited urban areas by occupation forces.
I trust that you are aware of your responsibilities to the people of Iraq under international law, and that you will therefore order an immediate cessation of these operations.
Yours sincerely
Cc: Congressman Kendrick Meek
Senator Bob Graham
Senator Bill Nelson
posted by Nicolas Davies | 10:22 AM
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