For Bert Sacks, traveling to Iraq isn't a question of breaking the law —
it's a question of right and wrong.
And not paying a $10,000 fine for a policy he believes is killing innocent
children is simply staying that course.
"Where was the world when the Jews were being killed at Auschwitz? ... Well,
sanctions kill. No one can deny that thousands of children are dying," said the
60-year-old Seattle resident. "Where is the world?"
Defying the U.S. government, the retired software engineer traveled to Iraq
in 1997 and delivered $40,000 worth of antibiotics, aspirin and cough medicine.
A year later, he received a letter from the U.S. Treasury Department alleging
he'd violated U.S. law by spending money on travel expenses while in Iraq.
Last month, after his eighth trip to Iraq, Sacks received a letter stating
he had 30 days to pay.
But he doesn't plan to pay a cent. Yesterday, he personally delivered a letter
to a Treasury office in Washington, D.C., outlining why.
Sacks believes he has every right to take medical supplies to those who need
it. And he believes it's unconstitutional to fine him without giving him a court
hearing.
He said his stance stems from years of research on the effects of the U.S.
and U.N. embargo on the Iraqi people: Many don't have access to potable drinking
water. Raw sewage is dumped in the rivers. Diarrhea cases are rampant.
Sacks blames the sanctions, imposed after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990. He
said Iraq is unable to get materials to repair or rebuild water- and sewage-treatment
plants destroyed during Iraq's 1980s war with Iran and during the Persian Gulf
War.
A 1999 United Nations Children's Fund report blames the sanctions for killing
half a million children younger than 5 over seven years.
But according to the U.S. State Department's Web site, Iraqi President Saddam
Hussein's failure to implement policies to boost economic growth and improve living
standards is the reason for the country's economic woes. And Saddam's refusal
to allow weapons inspectors into the country keeps the sanctions in place.
A Treasury Department spokesman wouldn't comment on the specifics of the agency's
probe of Sacks, but he said the fine could be garnisheed from any wages Sacks
might have.
The threat of being fined even more — up to $275,000 — for his trips
or sentenced to 12 years in jail and given $1 million in criminal penalties doesn't
rock Sacks' resolve.
"I hope Americans will realize what policy our government is pursuing. And
if that means the threat of court, I will do that," said Sacks. "I hope to educate
Americans as to what we're doing."
Copyright © 2002 The Seattle Times Company
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