FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:          CONTACTS:
             October 6, 2000                 Erik Gustafson  (202) 543-6176
                                             Keith Boylan  (510) 272-9677
                                             Charles Sheehan Miles  (703) 326-4589

             GULF WAR VETERANS JOIN OTHER U.S. VETERANS IN TRIP TO REBUILD
             WATER-TREATMENT FACILITIES DESTROYED IN IRAQ BY U.S./U.K. BOMBS &
             SANCTIONS

             U.S. veterans arrived in Baghdad today on route to Basra where they will   help rebuild water treatment
             facilities that were destroyed by U.S. and U.K.   bombs or rendered inoperable by U.S.-led economic
             sanctions.   In an   unprecedented effort to further expose the devastating effects of U.S.-led   sanctions on
             Iraq, two teams of former U.S. service people, Viet Nam, Korean   War, WW II as well as Gulf War
             veterans, will enter Iraq to help rebuild   four water facilities.

             Malnutrition and waterborne diseases account for most of the child   fatalities caused by sanctions in Iraq,
             claiming the lives of thousands of   children every month.   The Iraq Water Project will restore
             water-cleansing   capabilities and provide 10 years of maintenance to four water-treatment   facilities located
             south of Basrah in the Abul Khaseeb valley.   Costing   $110,000-$125,000, the project will restore clean
             water for 65,000-70,000   people.

             Veterans for Peace (VFP), a non-profit educational and humanitarian   organization founded in 1985, is
             proud to launch The Iraq Water Project.   Washington-based VFP, with 81 chapters nationwide and
             international   affiliates, has partnered with LIFE for Relief and Development, the only   relief organization
             with permission from both the Iraqi government and the   U.S. Treasury Department to do relief work in
             Iraq. The Iraq Water Project   involves U.S. veterans working side by side with Iraqi engineers.   The
             delegation includes two Gulf War veterans, Keith Boylan and Erik Gustafson.

             Keith Boylan, who serves on the Board of Directors of the National Gulf War   Resource Center
             (NGWRC), has said:   “Iraqi civilians are living in   contaminated areas.   Our government has an obligation
             to clean up Southern   Iraq and support research on Gulf War-related illnesses.   What the World   Health
             Organization and Iraqi doctors learn in Iraq can also help American   doctors and the Veterans
             Administration treat sick American Gulf War   veterans.   This is not only about reconciliation; it is about
             healing—physical and emotional.   We have come to work with the people of   Iraq, not their government,
             on their own terms.”

             Erik Gustafson, Founder and Executive Director of the Education for Peace in   Iraq Project (EPIC) noted:
             “From the beginning then-President George Bush   and other U.S. officials claimed the war was not against
             the Iraqi people.   Veterans returning to help the Iraqi people provide one path towards   reconciliation and
             an end to the humanitarian crisis.   But, it’s going to   take a public outcry to stop reckless U.S. policies that
             kill thousands of   children each month.   It’s time to end the war.”   Charles Sheehan-Miles,   board member
             of both the NGWRC and EPIC, will be available at the above   number until Erik and Keith return October
             19.

             The Abul Khaseeb valley was the site of some of the costliest battles during   the Iran-Iraq war.   In 1991 it
             was ravaged during the Gulf War.   Numerous   facilities, including roads, electrical grids, and water facilities
             were   bombed during the war.   Like over 100,000 Gulf War veterans, the villagers   of Abul Khaseeb
             were exposed to major pollutants.   Increased birth defects,   child leukemia, stillbirths, asthma, and other
             health problems are believed   to be linked to Gulf War-related exposures.   Villagers were exposed to
             fallout from oil fires and coalition bombing of chemical and biological   weapons stockpiles.   Hundreds of
             tons of toxic anti-armor shells made from   uranium 238 still litter the battlefields of Southern Iraq.   The
             impact of   this devastation continues, exacerbated by a decade of sanctions and   continued bombings by
             U.S. and U.K. planes illegally enforcing the so-called   “no-fly” zone.

             The Iraq Water Project is led by Fredy Champagne, VFP Board Member, Viet Nam
             veteran, and founder of the Veterans -Viet Nam Restoration Project. VVRP
             provided American veterans the opportunity to return to Viet Nam to provide
             humanitarian service.
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