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Stop the War activists' conference
Report from the Stop the War Coalition activists' conference, 21st June 2003, from three delegates who attended from Swindon.
3 representatives of Swindon Stop the War Coalition travelled to Hammersmith Town Hall for a national Activists Conference, upholding the Swindon tradition of arriving 'just in time' to catch the stalls, newsvendors and various interested groups vying for our attention and signatures on their many worthy causes, and "real coffee", tea and flapjack was available. The conference opened with a session entitled 'war and its aftermath' and we were told that Bianca Jagger was unfortunately unwell and could not attend, although she sent her warmest wishes to us all. We were treated however, to a speaker from the Democratic Socialist's in Japan who told the conference that they are processing an indictment to Bush for war crimes, which was popular amongst the crowd. He also confirmed that Japan is sending 1,000 troops to the National Assembly for Peace and Democracy on the 26th July. He was warmly applauded byall who attended.
The veteran campaigner and stalwart of the anti war movement Tony Benn received rapturous applause when he addressed the crowd. He started his speech by saying that our work in STW movement is just beginning, that the so called "liberators" have not brought democracy to the people of Iraq, merely replaced one despotic regime with a neo conservative American administration who decided that Saddam was a threat to Israel. Bush's' speech at last year's UN conference in which he said "come with me or I'll do it alone" proved that he and his cronies' real interests lie in the control of Iraqi oil and establishing control in the middle east. Tony was surprised at the timespan of the war, he imagined it would only last about 48 hours! He praised the American citizens who are campaigning for their own regime change - and who are nearer the potential hotspot of Cuba.
The most powerful weapon is the control of information, the ability to persuade, tell lies and get away with it. Tony used an old adage told him by Mick McGaghey "I'm not afraid of weapons, I'm afraid of the people who want to use them!". The ability to synchronise a global protest, as was seen on February 15th, is one way of beating the information controllers; injecting politics back into the parliamentary process, as the TUC turned the 'mob' into a movement, is now happening to the Stop the War movement. He appealed for a STW rally during the Brent East by-election, to campaign for peace; and to use the mechanism of the vote that people historically died for. Tony ended on an optimistic note, saying that the peace movement is more powerful than at any other time of his life, and the STWC has helped enormously in raising this awareness.
There then followed various workshops, the War on Terror, which examined the precarious position of Latin American and President Bush's plan for the New American Century.
Civil Liberties and the War on Terror. This was led by Les Levidow of the Campaign against Criminalising Communities, Dr Siddiqui of the Muslim Parliament and Sait Akgul. The main aims and objectives of the Campaign against Criminalising Communities (CAMPACC) are:
1. To campaign against the use of excessive state powers to criminalise political activity which are contained in the Terrorism Act 2000 and the anti Terrorism, Crime and Security Act (ACTSA); and to monitor the use of these powers in the context of the current ‘war on terrorism.’
2. To campaign for the repeal of the Terrorism Act 2000 and the ACTSA 2001.
3. To oppose the anti democratic definition of ‘terrorism.’
4. To oppose any measures at UK or EU level which attempt to criminalise mere association with a political organisation, or which involve detention without charge or restrictions on freedom of speech, association or publication.
5. To work in close association with affected communities and build the broadest possible alliance for civil liberties, human rights and universal values.
6. To demand that everyone must be treated as innocent until proven guilty, and that the right of habeas corpus be restored; those imprisoned without charge under anti terrorism legislation should be released or granted a fair trial.
7. To defend the democratic freedom to dissent and to resist oppression, nationally and internationally.
8. To oppose crimes against humanity, regardless of who (or what government) commits them.
Campaign against Criminalising Communities:
http://www.cacc.org.uk/
The session Iraq Today examined post war Iraq, from the view of a humanitarian worker, an Iraqi exile who recently visited Baghdad and a prominent member of Iraqi Democrats Against the War.
Nick Buxton is an international aid agency worker who has previously worked in Afghanistan and is now in Iraq. The most poignant quote to him was when Bush announced in that self satisfied manner of his - "Mission Accomplished!" whilst visiting US troops in Qatar. Nick then gave a inexhaustable and harrowing account of exactly why the "mission" was most certainly not "accomplished." The civilian casualty estimate is 'at least' 20,000; far, far more than the media will admit to. (This figure equated as being equivalent to 200,000 US citizens.) There were 'probably' 60,000 injuries; and the probability that every family will have had someone killed or injured in the war, and this figure is likely to rise as the long term casualties of cluster bombs mounts up. The US military would have us believe that "only 1 in 15,000 resulted in civilian casualties" but with 202 'bomblets' in each cluster bomb - and a 10% failure rate - this will result in 24,000 unexploded bomblets in urban and military areas. This, coupled with depleted uranium (DU) much favoured by the US military, which shows no distinction between military or civilian targets - is basically leftover nuclear waste, half of which turns to dust spreading over a 50km area. The immediate risk to the civilian populations is catastrophic - various types of cancers, some rare, are now becoming common place, particularly among children. Gulf War Syndrome can be attributed to DU, including 560 Britons and 8,000 US who have died since the first Gulf War. The UN had tried to ban the use of DU but the vote was vetoed by - you guessed it - the US and the UK!
The list of statistics which Nick gave was depressing. 1 in 5 Iraqi's are in critical and vulnerable poverty. The proportion of Iraqi's needing food rations has risen sharply from the 70% before the war. Only 19 of the 245 electricity transmission lines were working. Sewage plants are not working. Acute malnutrition has doubled. UNICEF figures has shown that large numbers of children are suffering diaorrhoea and vomiting. 345,000 troops have been laid off by the US and have had no money or food since the end of the war. (No wonder there is looting!) The population will be held responsible for Sadam's debt, which amounts to $15,000 for every man, woman and child. This debt will be a major mechanism in the control of Iraq. Nick ended by re-quoting Madeline Allbright's terrible statement that "the death of 500,000 Iraqi children was a price worth paying" to indicate the true US policy towards the control of Iraq.
Tahrir Swift is an Iraqi exile who fled the regime and has recently returned from staying with her cousin in Baghdad, the first time she has visited her homeland in 24 years. She started by thanking everyone on behalf of the people of Iraq, who were well aware of the anti-war movement in Britain and across the world; and pleaded with us not to believe what is in the press. The Iraqi people believe that the US is simply doing the bidding of Israel. She said that they are desperate to work, with most only receiving about $20 since the war has ended.
She disputed many things that have appeared in the newspapers - and questioned the reporting of US troops killed. Many testify that the US has mercenaries patrolling the streets of Baghdad, many terrorise innocent people by venting their frustrations in a show of force. Reports of doors being kicked in for little reason, people and houses being searched in a false pretext of looking for weapons. Iraqi's are anxious for re-construction and employment, but there is rising resentment towards the US. Pensioners have been the victims of tear gas whilst collecting their pensions, electricity is sporadic, and one unhappy Iraqi lamented the take over of his country from Saddam to the US with "the apprentice has gone, now we have the master!"
Tahrir gave a chilling insight into the aftermath of war. In areas that the US has used "bunker busting" missiles there are dead animals and birds, and insects have disappeared. Architectural landmarks have been destroyed. Contaminated areas offer no warnings telling civilians not to go near. And, the most chilling of all - what sort of bomb did the Americans use during the battle for the airport? Many are convinced that the sudden silence during the fighting and eye witness reports that the dead bodies just "melt away, disintegrate", point to a 'dirty bomb'. And where are the insects?
We are hoping that Tahrir or one of her colleagues will come to Swindon and show her video footage taken whilst in Baghdad. Her photographs can be viewed on
Sabah Jawad is from Iraqi Democrats against the war. He explained why the Iraqi people will not accept US control.
1) The first reason is that the Americans forced the sanctions for 12 years in an attempt to destroy Iraqi society from its roots. Only the Iraqi's can and should determine their own future.
2) The US has placed its own administration and use exiled Iraqi nationals to rubber stamp their policies. Iraqi national assets have been systematically looted and commercial contracts are given mostly to Americans.
3) The lack of WMD.
4) The US occupation will last a lot longer than they originally stated. Look at Vietnam, Okinawa, Haiti, Panama. Why should they leave Iraq? The US has invested billions in invading Iraq.
John Rees of STWC called for as many delegates as can attend to go to the Cairo Conference on 26th October 2003 in an act of solidarity to stop the US drive to world domination. There was a split between the US and NATO, and poorer countries like Poland received economic support from the US in return for support. "The US is at the pinnacle of its power - especially militarily. It is a brutal and co-erosive policy" he said.
Many speakers from provincial STW groups took to the stage to voice their concerns and share ideas. The human shields appeared at first chaotic but are now more politicised and organised. Bermondsey STW felt that our job in STW was to make the truth easier for people to see and to maintain morale over the next few years. Lewisham STW questioned whether we in the STW are victims of the "Baghdad bounce," as the world has been transformed over the last year and many more people had become politicised. A speaker from Jubilee Iraq is concerned that the billions of dollars spent on the war will take the Iraqi people over 20 years to pay off. He urged everyone to write to Gordon Brown to protest and demand that the debt be dropped. An Iraqi exile revealed that all contractors who work in communication in Iraq must now be vetted by the CIA! Another Iraqi exile and human rights worker revealed that Iraqi asylum seekers are having their applications put on hold, their benefits dropped and made homeless.
Jeremy Corbyn was next to speak. He said that the STWC has, like the Chartists and Anti-Facists of the 1930's, changed social history. It has brought together a multi cultural movement, who along with other groups has stood up against the BNP and has been instrumental in guarding and defending civil liberties. "Beware of the unaccountable power of the security service," he lamented. He quoted Jack Straw who catagorically said "trust me, there are WMD and we will find them." Well, 1,400 British and US inspectors have failed to find anything post war! Jeremy carried on to attack the motives of the US. Bush has no answer as to why people around the world dislike the US. They are running out of resources, their agression is justified by US agressive consumption and agressive commercial interests. He called for everyone to continue to work together internationally, especially the Americans. Many speakers from the floor reinforced what was said by Jeremy. One speaker declared that he had heard the former Shah of Iran's son being interviewed on the radio recently. Is this a sign that the US will use the recent student riots in Tehran to invade?
War and the Law This was led by Louise Christian who is a campaigning solicitor, and member of the STW steering group. She saw the war as a major setback for international law as the USA ignored international treaties and protocols (UN). There are currently 600 held in Guantanamo Bay of whom 9 are British citizens. Louise is representing 3 of their families. They have been imprisoned for 1.5 years and she has not yet had access to them. There are concerns about their mental health as they are in solitary confinement, in cells 6 by 8 foot, and only exercised twice weekly for 15 minutes. The USA has now appointed prosecution and defence councils for a military tribunal with power to execute the death penalty. Pakistan has successfully raised diplomatic objections regarding some of their prisoners. The British government has not followed this course of action.
Louise feels that if WMD are not found families of British soldiers who have been injured or killed may have a case against the government.
The International Solidarity Movement workshop had ISM speakers who told harrowing accounts of their time in Palestine. 80% of Palestinian children have behavioural problems due to the Israeli occupation. There are to be screenings around the UK of Jeremy Hardy Vs The Israeli Army, further details can be obtained from: 0709 202 6071 or contact Leila on 07814 937743.
Lynsey German then gave a rousing speech in support of George Galloway, and re-emphasised that STW had organised the 3 biggest demonstrations in British History over the last year, together with the biggest and unprecedented strike by school children. She urged as many people as possible to attend the Cairo Conference in October; and the People's Assembly to be arranged late August/beginning September.
There were calls for a centralised data base for activists who were prepared to take direct action. There is also to be a School Activists Conference in the late summer months.
George Galloway closed the conference, giving his usual morale boosting speech. He again protested his innocence against the ridiculous allegations made against him by the Telegraph and the Government. He also confirmed that he has never been to Iran, nor has he made contact with any member of the government of Iran - as he confirmed he would be protesting as ardently as ever should the US decide to invade!