I would have thought that such a statement/lobbying  suggested by Pateman is
contrary to CILIP's Royal Charter, but I leave it to the constitutional
experts to comment on that....

Charles

Professor Charles Oppenheim
Department of Information Science
Loughborough University
Loughborough
Leics LE11 3TU
01509-223065
(fax) 01509-223053
----- Original Message -----
From: "john pateman" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2003 9:08 PM
Subject: Re: CILIP PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO RESTORE
IRAQI LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES


> Surely CILIP should have opposed the illegal, immoral and unjust war on
Iraq
> in the first place.  British bombs helped to destroy the Iraqi
> infrastructure and create the conditions which lead to the destruction of
> Iraq's libraries, museums and cultural heritage. Those bombs were paid for
> by money which will now not be available to fund Britain's libraries,
> schools and hospitals.
>
> CILIP should take a more pro-active position on international affrairs.
> Where are the CILIP statements on Palestine and Cuba, for example?
Reacting
> after the event is not good enough. When Bush and Blair turn their
attention
> to Syria, Cuba, North Korea and other "terrorist states" CILIP's voice
must
> be amongst those which declares, loud and clear, NO TO WAR.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> >From: Tim Buckley Owen <[log in to unmask]>
> >Reply-To: Chartered Library and Information Professionals
> ><[log in to unmask]>
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: CILIP PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO RESTORE IRAQI
> >LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES
> >Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2003 17:24:20 +0100
> >
> > > MEDIA RELEASE
> > > Monday 28 April 2003
> > > For immediate release  (Please copy to online discussion lists)
> > >
> > > CILIP PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO RESTORE LIBRARY AND
> >INFORMATION SERVICES IN IRAQ
> > >
> > > Leading CILIP members condemn flouting of Hague Convention and demand
to
> >know why warnings were ignored
> > >
> > > CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information
Professionals
> >has pledged its support for international efforts to restore library and
> >information services devastated by the war in Iraq.  > "> This is a
crisis
> >that requires an international response,> ">  says CILIP> '> s Chief
> >Executive Bob McKee.  > "> It is every bit as devastating for libraries
and
> >information services as it is for museums, which have already received
wide
> >publicity.  We are in touch with our colleagues in international bodies
> >such as the International Federation of Library Associations and
> >Institutions (IFLA) and centres of expertise such as the British Library,
> >and will be working with them to contribute what we can.> ">
> > >
> > > Britain> '> s failure to ratify the Hague Convention on the Protection
> >of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict comes in for
particular
> >criticism by leading CILIP members.  > "> The devastation of Iraq> '> s
> >major archive, library and museums has placed the coalition in flagrant
and
> >serious beach of the Convention,> ">  says Bernard Naylor, Chair of
CILIP>
> >'> s Ethics Panel and a former President of the Library Association.
> > >
> > > Warnings of the risk of destruction of library and information
services
> >in Iraq were given to the British government as long ago as February,
adds
> >Robin Price, Chair of CILIP> '> s Preservation and Conservation Panel.  >
> >"> Both the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Defence were
> >clearly warned of the possibility of some destruction, and similar
warnings
> >were given in the USA,> ">  Mr Price says.  > "> No action was taken.> ">
> > > In a letter dated February 5, the Head of the National Preservation
> >Office Dr Vanessa Marshall urged Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon: > "> to
> >ensure that all cultural heritage sites within Iraq> ...>  are protected
in
> >the event of armed conflict.  This includes the built heritage, as well
as
> >libraries, archives and museums.> ">   Dr Marshall, who is also Chair of
> >the United Kingdom and Ireland Blue Shield organisation - the cultural
> >equivalent of the Red Cross - was also among those urging the UK
government
> >to ratify the Hague Convention.
> > >
> > > CILIP will be writing to the Overseas Development Minister Claire
Short
> >making clear that the reconstruction effort in Iraq must give priority to
> >the restoration of library and information services.  As a member of
IFLA,
> >CILIP also supports the IFLA Council> '> s call to UNESCO to pay
particular
> >attention to libraries and archives, as > "> essential parts of the rich
> >heritage of Iraq> "> .
> > >
> > > Information on Iraqi library holdings prior to the conflict is likely
to
> >be the first priority, together with details of what has been damaged,
> >looted or destroyed.  Expert advice is also likely to be needed in
> >preservation and conservation, and in rebuilding library and information
> >infrastructure.
> > >
> > > "> It> '> s not just Iraqi cultural heritage that> '> s at stake
here,>
> >">  explains Bob McKee.  "As IFLA makes clear, strong attention must also
> >be given to governmental records, which are vital for the functioning of
> >public administration and for protecting the rights of Iraqi citizens.
No
> >nation can function effectively in the twenty-first century without a
> >strong information society and knowledge economy,> ">  Dr McKee
concludes.
> > > "> The international community is under a clear obligation to help
Iraq
> >achieve that goal as rapidly as possible.> ">
> > >
> > > Contact:      Tim Buckley Owen, Head of External Relations.
> > >               Tel: 020 7255 0652.     Email:
> >[log in to unmask]
> > >
> > > Notes to Editors
> > >
> > > CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information
Professionals
> >is the>  leading professional body for librarians, information
specialists
> >and knowledge managers, with ove> r 23,500 members working in all
sectors,
> >including business and industry, science and technology, further and
higher
> >education, schools, local and central government, the health service, the
> >voluntary sector, national and public libraries.
> > >
> > > CILIP> '> s goals are to: position the profession at the heart of the
> >information revolution; develop and enhance the role and skills of all
its
> >Members; present and champion those skills, together with new ones which
> >will be acquired through continuing professional development; and ensure
> >that individuals, enterprises and not for profit organisations have ready
> >and timely access to the information they need.
> > >
> > > - Ends -
> > >
> > > Tim Buckley Owen, Head of External Relations
> > > CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information
Professionals
> > > 7 Ridgmount St, London WC1E 7AE.
> > > Direct line: +44 (0)20 7255 0652
> > > Email: [log in to unmask]
> > >
>
>
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