Medact, the United Kingdom affiliate of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, has released a new study based on evidence from the Gulf War. The study states that 111,000 innocent civilians were killed.

Wars generally cause twice the number of wounded as those killed. An estimated 500,000 Iraqi children died because of sanctions. The National Council of Churches expects 500,000 casualties initially if the U.S. attacks again. If the war goes badly for the United States, we haven’t ruled out the use of nuclear weapons. The United Nations expects 1.4 million victims and millions of refugees.

The United Nations should keep inspectors in Iraq for years to insure compliance with U.N. resolutions. Thus, Iraq will never be able to secretly engage in prohibited activities, and any argument for the need for war is less credible. Does anyone have a better plan to avoid war?

Howard Hede

Stockholm