Ceremony planned when Iraq deaths reach 100

Swindon peace protesters are concerned about the rising death toll of British troops in Iraq.

The death of Sergeant John Jones in Basra following a roadside bomb on 20 November 2005 has brought the number killed during operations in Iraq to 98. There have also been several hundred wounded.

Secretary of Swindon Stop the war Coalition, Andy Newman, fears that the number may soon reach 100.

“Obviously we all want to see the British troops come home safely to their loved ones: the sooner the better. But unfortunately they are caught up in an increasingly violent insurgency. Unless the British government shows sense and withdraws the troops from Iraq, which opinion polls show is wanted by 80% of the Iraqi people, then further deaths are inevitable.”

Organisers stress that their protests are not against the service personnel, or against the armed forces. Andy Newman explains: “It is the politicians who sent British troops to Iraq and Afghanistan who are to blame for the mess. Young men and women join the armed service to protect Britain, not to be cannon fodder for the USA. Our service men and women are now placed in a terrible situation occupying a foreign country against the will of the Iraqi people.”

Swindon Stop the war Coalition are planning to read the names of all the dead British service people, along with the names of 100 dead Iraqis, at the cenotaph at 6:00 pm on the day after the death toll reaches 100.