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War in Iraq destroying the wetlands
of Mesopotamia
BY RICARDO BRUNO OJEDA
—Special for Granma International—
DEFENDERS of the environment throughout the world
are full of concern because the expansion of the war
in Iraq is destroying the little that remains of the
wetlands of Mesopotamia, where it is believed that
the biblical Garden of Eden was situated.
A
sanctuary for millions of exotic birds, the wetlands
of Mesopotamia are the most important in the Middle
East. With an oasis of regional dimension, they have
offered fertile land, water and air for centuries to
millions of inhabitants. But they are extremely
fragile and are in the line of fire.
These ecosystems provide sustenance to countries
such as Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Iran. The heart of
the wetlands is very close to the city of Basra, one
that has consistently suffered the most in terms of
gunfire on the part of U.S. and British troops.
The
1,600-plus oil wells in Iraq are a powder keg for
the wetlands, together with pollution caused by the
use of conventional weapons.
Previously, the wetlands supplied the region’s
large-scale shrimp industry as well as 50% of fresh
fish in Iraq. These areas also witnessed the arrival
of thousands of ducks and geese which filled the
local markets.
Specialists and environmentalists believe that the
destruction of the wetlands has affected the
regional climate and had had a serious impact on the
habitat of almost 400 species of birds. At least
three species of incomparable beauty have
disappeared in Iraq: the Sacred Ibis, the African
Darter and the Goliath Heron.
Oil
wells in flames, air polluted with radioactivity,
toxic substances, contaminated aquifers, and
thousands of people left dead, sick or displaced are
part of the scene being left by the war.
This
demonstrates that Bush and his allies have
absolutely no concern whatsoever over the damage
caused to life and the environment by their military
operations.
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