The Muslim Observer: April 2000.

Important questions about Iraqi sanctions led to intense dialogue at the United nations Women's Conference- "Women 2000 Beijing Plus Five" on March 30th, 2000 where the U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright was the key-note speaker. The even was billed as an event to celebrate America's Commitment to Women, yet the voices in the Wilderness representatives Danny Muller, Ellen Barfield, Stephanie Schnaudel, and Cindy Breunig, courageously highlighted other pressing issues.

Prior to Dr. Albright's speech, several women from various backgrounds related their struggles to overcome economic adversity, such as welfare. Other women praised Dr. Albright's support in promoting Woman's rights in world forums and promoting women' business transactions in other countries. An editor from Marie Claire magazine called attention to Dr. Albright's "courageous" response to angry Iraqis. She proudly said that when the Iraqis called Dr. Albright a snake, *an understatement* she wore a broach in the shape of a snake.

However, a greater badge of courage was worn by those who dared to ask why Iraqis focus tense anger toward Dr. Albright. Confronting Dr. Albright at the conference were the Voices in the Wilderness representatives. As they stood, bearing pictures of Iraqi women and children, they asked Albright to address the concerns of Iraqi mothers who mourn the hundreds of thousands of children who have died as a direct result of US led UN Security Council economic sanctions against Iraq.

At first, Albright said that questions could be addressed at a later time and continued reading from her prepared speech about America's support for world-wide women's movements. As he stood holding a photo of an Iraqi child high above his head, Danny Muller asked, "Ms. Albright, does our commitment to women include killing their children through sanctions in Iraq?...I'm here to ask you about the women of Iraq who are suffering now, every day, under sanctions."

Albright asked if he wanted her to answer the question immediately and when Muller answered affirmatively, he added, "I would like an answer and I think the people of Iraq deserve one." Thus, she began to discuss the US response as a decision by the international community to respond vigorously to Iraq's illegal invasion of Kuwait and the issue of Iraqi's gassing Kurds. In response, Ellen Barfield said, "Saddam Hussein had used gas when he was our ally and we feel responsible for the situation in Iraq." Muller interjected, "Ms. Albright, one million civilians...one million civilians. Is the price still worth it, Ms. Albright, do you think the price is still worth it?" (A few years ago in an interview with 60 minutes, she had answered yes to the question.)

As a security guard pressed Muller to leave, Albright began to speak about the oil-for-food program as a means to meet humanitarian needs. The third Voices in the Wilderness representative, Cindy Breunig, then stood up with her picture and said, "Three UN representatives in Iraq have left their jobs in protest of the sanctions that are killing people in Iraq."

She told Dr. Albright about Iraq's lack of clean water, electricity, sewage and sanitation. "This is a genocide against the children of Iraq. Do you realize this? How long will it take? Will it take your children to die before you fight sanctions that kill innocent civilians? Before you finish speaking, another child will be dead because of the sanctions."

After Security forces escorted all three outside the meeting, Dr. Albright made a joking reference to Ohio State University, where in February 1998, protesters repeatedly interrupted a town hall meeting intended to garner support for a massive bombing of Iraq. The fourth Voice in the Wilderness member, Stephanie Schnaudel, remained in the audience holding her sign. When Dr. Albright specified that the US and the UN were working to help girl babies throughout the world, Schnaudel asked, "What about the girl babies in Iraq?" At that point, security forces escorted her out and she joined the others.