Positive News US is a free, not for profit newspaper published four times a year in Ithaca, NY. We report on successful projects around the world in the areas of sustainability, social equality, education and happiness, with a clear message that "another world is possible."
more...
| a part of Positive News International |
Ten Point Plan For Peace in Iraq |
by Annabel McGoldrick
Hans von Sponeck, who served as humanitarian coordinator for the UN in Iraq before resigning in protest over sanctions, has come up with a ten-point peace plan which, if followed, could finally open the door on a more positive future. Published by a Sweden based think-tank, the Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research, with director Jan Oberg as co-author, the von Sponeck plan calls for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign troops and the closure of US military bases, as the starting point for progress. The US has built the world's biggest embassy in Baghdad, covering an area the same size as Vatican City. The plan calls for its role to be drastically reduced. In place of the US-led multinational force, the UN should take over, with a new type of mission, "expressive of the world community, not just the few governments who refer to themselves as the ‘international community'." Such a mission would include the Arab League and non-governmental organisations. Troops under UN command would make up just 15 per cent of its personnel and would all come from countries that played no part in the invasion. 25 per cent of the mission staff would be police and the remaining 60 per cent civilian and humanitarian workers.
Hans von Sponeck, who served as humanitarian coordinator for the UN in Iraq before resigning in protest over sanctions, has come up with a ten-point peace plan which, if followed, could finally open the door on a more positive future. Published by a Sweden based think-tank, the Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research, with director Jan Oberg as co-author, the von Sponeck plan calls for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign troops and the closure of US military bases, as the starting point for progress. The US has built the world's biggest embassy in Baghdad, covering an area the same size as Vatican City. The plan calls for its role to be drastically reduced. In place of the US-led multinational force, the UN should take over, with a new type of mission, "expressive of the world community, not just the few governments who refer to themselves as the ‘international community'." Such a mission would include the Arab League and non-governmental organisations. Troops under UN command would make up just 15 per cent of its personnel and would all come from countries that played no part in the invasion. 25 per cent of the mission staff would be police and the remaining 60 per cent civilian and humanitarian workers.
The authors... hope that by circulating this plan, the public will be alerted that Iraq are not intractable.
These personnel would be in charge of the usual tasks of co-ordination, but also involve themselves in helping to tackle the fear and humiliation left over from Iraq's traumas of recent decades. A Truth and Reconciliation Commission, following the example of South Africa, would be designed to help Iraqis to move on. Under the plan, all Iraq's debts would be immediately cancelled, enabling the country to start with a clean slate, in charge of its own economic destiny. Within three years, Iraq should also receive compensation for the wars and sanctions its people have been forced to endure - not to mention the ravages of occupation. Iraq would retain full control of its oil revenues. The entire Middle East would become free of weapons of mass destruction as per the UN Security Council Resolution which brought the 1991 Gulf War to an end. In the long term, a regional peace conference would be organised to deal with its two core conflicts - Iraq and the West on the one hand and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the other. Preparations would start straight away. The authors are well aware that they are in no position to carry out its recommendations. However they hope that by circulating this plan now, decision makers, journalists and the public alike will be alerted that Iraq's problems are not intractable. With the application of sufficient political will, they could still be overcome.
Contact: The Transnational Foundation
for Peace and Future Research
Tel: +46 46 14 5909
www.transnational.org
Story from Positive News UK
Contact: The Transnational Foundation
for Peace and Future Research
Tel: +46 46 14 5909
www.transnational.org
Story from Positive News UK
Announcements
What do You find hopeful in the world today? Please contribute a short paragraph and be published in Positive News. We are currently selecting...
more >
The California Edition of Positive News is well on the way! We are looking for volunteers to help make it happen. To join our team contact...
more >
