STOP THE WAR COALITION
NEWSLETTER No 2006/7: March 30
Email office@stopwar.org.uk
Telephone 020 7278 6694

5TH ANNUAL STOP THE WAR CONFERENCE
SATURDAY 10 JUNE
FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE
EUSTON ROAD, LONDON WC1

The past year has been very eventful for Stop the War Coalition. We have
held two national demonstrations -- making 14 in total -- the latest on
18 March being the largest since 2003, the year of the Iraq invasion.
Our international peace conference in December 2005 was hugely
successful, attracting over 1500 delegates, including for the first time
delegates from Iraq. We have developed further links with the global
anti-war movement, particularly in the United States, and we have now
established significant links with prominent opposition figures in Iraq,
such as Sheik Zagani from the Al-Sadr movement.

An important development has been the increasing number of military
families who have contacted us, following the loss of loved ones in
Iraq, because they want to be active in opposing a war which has brought
them such suffering. We have been able to put them in contact with
Military Families Against the War, an organisation whose dignity and
resolve to get justice for their relatives is an inspiration to all of
us in the anti-war movement.

We also have an increasing number of families of serving soldiers in
Iraq contacting us because they too want to be actively involved in the
campaign to end the occupation and bring the troops home before any more
soldiers are killed or injured for a war based on lies.

The warmongers are under ever increasing pressure, with close to two
thirds of Americans now saying they oppose the war, polls in Britain
showing consistently high levels for withdrawing British troops and over
70 per cent of US soldiers in Iraq saying they think they should leave
the country.

The endless series of revelations about torture, prisoner abuse, illegal
kidnapping and the random killing of Iraqi civilians has derailed all
attempts by Bush and Blair to present themselves as the upholders of
"freedom" and "democracy".

The more Bush and Blair suffer politically for their war crimes and the
catastrophes they have produced in Iraq and Afghanistan, the greater the
likelihood that they will try and deflect attention by attacking Iran,
making it as important as ever that the anti-war movement not only
continues to mobilise for an immediate end to the occupation in Iraq but
builds the widest opposition to any future war plans.

This is the context in which Stop the War Coalition's fifth annual
conference will be held on Saturday 10 June, arrangements for which are
detailed below.

5TH ANNUAL STOP THE WAR CONFERENCE
DATE: Saturday 10 June
VENUE: Friends Meeting House, Euston Road, London WC1

DELEGATES
All of Stop the War's local and affiliated groups will be circulated
shortly with re-affiliation details and the basis for delegations to the
conference. Only groups which have re-affiliated will be able to send
delegates. All names of delegates must be registered with the national
office by 2 June. The cost for delegates is £10.

OBSERVERS
The conference is also open to observers, who must be members of Stop
the War Coalition. Observers must register with the national Stop the
War office not later than 2 June but are advised to submit their names
as early as possible as there will be limited space. The cost for
observers is £10.

RESOLUTIONS AND ELECTIONS
The conference will debate resolutions and elect the national steering
committee for Stop the War Coalition national Steering Committee. Any
local or affiliated group is entitled to enter a resolution for
discussion and voting on. The Steering Committee may also submit
resolutions. Nominations for the Steering Committee elections can be
made by local and affiliated groups and names should be submitted to the
national office no later than Friday 26 May.

CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
In addition to the conference sessions for resolutions and elections, we
will be holding a number of workshops, lead by keynote speakers and
covering a wide range of topics, including:
- Iraq Today: Towards Democracy of Civil War?
- Why Iran is Under Threat
- Where Now for Palestine?
- Is Latin America the Next Target?
- The Forgotten Wars in Africa
- Civil Liberties and Guantanamo
- Islamophobia and the Anti-War Movement
- Military Families Against the War

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Stop the War Coalition
Email office@stopwar.org.uk
Telephone 020 7278 6694

STOP THE WAR COALITION NEWSLETTER

No 2006/6: March 27

1) WAR CRIMINALS NOT WELCOME HERE
2) THE VOICE OF HUMANITY
3) BBC SAYS "WHAT MARCH?"
4) UK COST OF THE WAR: £6 BILLION
5) EIGHT REASONS TO LEAVE IRAQ IMMEDIATELY
6) NORMAN KEMBER: IRRESPONSIBLE? UNGRATEFUL?
7) NAMING THE DEAD: MASS CIVIL-DISBEDIENCE
8) BOOK COMPETITION WINNERS

"The most unwelcome visit to Liverpool since Oswald Mosley came here in the 1930s", is how the mass circulation Liverpool Echo newspaper describes Condoleezza Rice's visit to the city on Friday 31 March, organised for her by UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. Oswald Mosley was the leader of the British fascist party, the BUF. Condeleezza Rice, George Bush's Secretary of State, is one of the architects of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and directly implicated in the horrific levels of death and destruction inflicted on those countries.

Anti-war activists in Liverpool and in Blackburn are outraged by her visit and have organised demonstrations on 31 March and 1 April. Support for these demonstrations is being called from across the country and already transport has been organised to bring protestors from London, Manchester, Bradford, Leeds and Sheffield.

Mark Holt, chairman of Merseyside Stop the War Coalition, which is organising the Liverpool demonstration on 31 March, says, "They want to make this some wonderful cultural events to show off the City of Culture. But we say it would be a better way to show off the City of Culture by saying no to this visit in remembrance of the Iraqi culture, which lies in rubble or in the fires still burning in the Middle East. Condoleezza Rice and Jack Straw must not be allowed to parade as connoisseurs of culture when they have destroyed so many lives and so much culture. They are not welcome here."

The campaign against Rice's visit to Liverpool is already having an impact. She is due to be entertained on Friday by the Liverpool PhilharmonicOrchestra. Following protests by the local anti-war movement, the well-known Liverpool poet Roger McGough, who was due to compere the performance, has now withdrawn. Members of the orchestra are being asked to boycott the event in protest at US policies in Iraq and Guantanamo Bay. Alec McFadden, president of Merseyside TUC, said: "The orchestra are all members of the Musicians Union and we have asked them not to perform."

The utterly shameless Jack Straw plans to take Condeleezza Rice to visit a mosque in Blackburn, no doubt for a nauseating photo opportunity aimed at countering the widespread revulsion and outrage expressed throughout the Islamic world over the war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan, which Rice has been so instrumental in perpetrating.

Rice and Straw must be left in no doubt that this cynical media stunt is an affront to the vast majority of British people who have consistently opposed the war in Iraq. And it is a particular affront to the Muslim community, following Tony Blair's latest speech on foreign policy, in which he sought to justify the "war on terror" by claiming that the enemies of "civilisation" were to be found in Islam.

Blackburn Stop the War Coalition has called a demonstration for 12 noon on Saturday 1 April. Stop the War's organiser in Blackburn, Alex Martindale, says, "We are determined she will see the protests and she will know she is not welcome."

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE PROTEST PLANS The location of the Blackburn demonstration will be announced soon. A special website called CondiWatch has been set up for the Liverpool and Blackburn protests. TO KEEP UP TO DATE GO TO: http://www.condiwatch.co.uk/ Information also available at: http://www.stopwar.org.uk

BOOK YOUR SEAT ON THE COACHES FROM OUTSIDE LIVERPOOL: The organisers of the Liverpool demonstration are calling for support from across the country. Coaches have already been booked to take protesters from LONDON, MANCHESTER, BRADFORD, LEEDS and SHEFFIELD. For details of coaches and how to book your ticket, go to: http://www.stopwar.org.uk/new/Ricevisit2.htm

TO READ THE GUARDIAN REPORT ON THE WAR CRIMINALS NOT WELCOME HERE PROTESTS, GO TO: http://www.guardian.co.uk/antiwar/story/0,,1740367,00.html

On Saturday 18 March, tens of thousands gathered outside Parliament on the third anniversary of the invasion of Iraq and marched to Trafalgar Square to give the clearest indication to Tony Blair and his fellow war criminals that the British anti-war movement is as united and determined as ever to make its voice heard, and to show that we will demonstrate for as long as they are inflicting mass slaughter and destruction in other people's countries.

THE MOOD OF THE LONDON DEMONSTRATION was summed up by Sheik Zagani, foreign affairs spokesperson for Moqtada al-Sadr, the radical Iraqi political leader and Shia cleric. Speaking at the rally in Trafalgar Square Sheik Zagani said, "Do not get tired of demonstrating and protesting. We are the voice of humanity, and we have to continue fighting."

WORLDWIDE PROTESTS were held in over 250 cities and towns. For an up to date list, go to: http://www.stopwar.org.uk/march20/events.asp

FOR REPORTS AND PICTURES of the London demonstration and of the protests around the world, go to the following web pages: http://www.stopwar.org.uk/new/March18-reports.htm http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/03/336290.html http://www.flickr.com/photos/autobiographical/sets/72057594085124947/

FOOTNOTE: When asked on the third anniversary of the Iraq invasion what he would have done in 2003, knowing everything he knows today, who replied, "I'd do it all again"? Was it: a. Tony Blair? b. George Bush c. Both of them.

Dozens of people complained to the BBC that it had no coverage of the 18 March demonstration on its evening news bulletins. If you can stomach a BBC TV news editor justifying this non-coverage, you can see his explanation here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/newswatch/ukfs/hi/default.stm

The Stop the War office has received many calls and emails expressing outrage at the BBC's decision, particularly since on the morning of 18 March Defence Secretary John Reid was given no end of air time to rubbish the demonstration, claiming the marchers were only helping the "terrorists", without any opportunity allowed to the anti-war movement to respond to his comments.

We're not prepared to accept the BBC's excuses for the non-coverage of a demonstration which, on the third anniversary of the Iraq invasion, showed that many tens of thousands refuse to be silent when crimes are being committed in their name.

PROTEST AGAINST BBC NON-COVERAGE There will be a lunchtime protest at BBC Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London W1A 1AA, from 1-2pm on Tuesday 4 April. We are also encouraging local Stop the War groups to hold lunchtime protests outside regional BBC offices. If there is a BBC office in your area, contact your local Stop the War group for details of their protest.

PROTEST AT THE BBC TUESDAY 4 APRIL 1-2PM BBC BROADCASTING HOUSE, PORTLAND PLACE, LONDON W1A 1AA Supported by Media Workers Agains the War

THE PRINT MEDIA GUILTY TOO Some national newspapers have also been prompted by readers' complaints to explain their reluctance to cover the 18 March demonstration appropriately. Here is The Observer's mealy mouthed justification for its conclusion that Iraq news is no longer "fresh"! http://politics.guardian.co.uk/foreignaffairs/comment/0,,1739987,00.html

We are frequently asked how much Britain has spent on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In announcing another £800 million next financial year, Gordon Brown's budget statement brought the total to £5.6 billion, which is expected to top £6 billion at the end of the year due to additional demands from the Ministry of Defence. This is approaching £3 million every day.

It's worth noting that £800 million is almost exactly the "shortfall" in the funding of London's hospitals, which is now leading to thousands of job cuts. In short, £800 million is available to destroy lives in Iraq but not available to save lives in London.

Just a fraction of the £33 billion Britain spends annually on its military budget would solve all of the funding issues currently suffered by the national health service.

Every activist in the anti-war movement recognises the dilemma described by writer Anthony Arnove in his forthcoming book Iraq: The Logic of Withdrawal: "We confront the strange situation of many people mobilizing against an unjust war but then reluctantly supporting the military occupation that flows directly from it. We need to be able to answer the objections and concerns of thoughtful, well-meaning people who have been persuaded by one or more of the arguments for why U.S. troops should remain in Iraq, at least until "stability" is restored."

We have all met these arguments, whether on our street stalls, at our public meetings, in discussions at our workplaces and colleges or with our friends. In an extract from his book, Arnove provides an invaluable resource for all of us who are confronted repeatedly by these arguments, giving eight reasons why the Iraq occupation must end immediately. TO READ ARNOVE'S EIGHT REASONS, GO TO: http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=15&ItemID=9945

Lindsey German, National Convenor of Stop the War Coalition, writes: Could you make it up? Norman Kember, released after four months in captivity after being kidnapped in Iraq, is now facing a barrage of attacks from the military and the press. His crime? Having been in Iraq in the first place and showing insufficient gratitude for his rescue.

The phrase pots and kettles comes to mind. The troops are the people who shouldn't be there, and while there is no sign that Iraqis have done anything but welcome Norman and his fellow campaigners that can't be said of the troops. Demonstrations regularly call for them to go and the highest votes in last year's election went to anti occupation candidates.

As for the claim that costs of Norman's rescue ran into millions and that soldiers risked their lives rescuing him, the facts seem rather different. There appears to have been an uncontested handover of the hostages, the kidnappers having fled. It seems hard to understand how this could have cost millions, unless he was flown back in a private jet. But no, he was on a BA scheduled flight from Kuwait.

This claim about costs looks a little thin in the light of the billions already spent and the fact that we the British taxpayers pay for mercenaries to run private security in Iraq.

Norman and Christian Peacemakers surely have a right to be in Iraq, since they see this as the way to bring peace to the Middle East. Even if you disagree with that way of campaigning (and personally I think our most effective campaigns are those carried out in solidarity with Iraqis here)you should accept that they have gone there to try to help. If only all of the westerners who had gone there in recent years had the same aim. Meanwhile I'm waiting for government calls for Halliburton, the oil companies and the 'private security' firms to quit.

LINDSEY GERMAN'S REGULAR ANTI-WAR BLOG CAN BE READ ON THE STOP THE WAR WEBSITE: http://www.stopwar.org.uk/

A mass act of civil disobedience in Parliament Square has been called for SUNDAY 2 APRIL 2006,12 NOON, PARLIAMENT SQUARE, when the names will be read of 1,000 Iraqis who have died as a result of the invasion and occupation.
The protest will be demanding:

• an immediate end to the US/UK military occupation of Iraq
• massive reparations and debt cancellation so that Iraqis can rebuild their country free from foreign interference
• prosecution of those responsible for war crimes

Protestors are asked to wear black if possible and come prepared for a long ceremony and possible arrest, as this is an "unauthorised" demonstration within 1km of Parliament. Under the new restrictions on protest contained in the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (April 2005) participation in such an event is a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to £1000. There will be post action support from the organisers for anyone arrested. FOR FURTHER DETAILS, GO TO: http://www.voices.netuxo.co.uk/namingthedead.htm

In Newsletter 2006/4 we run a competition offering five free copies of the recently published book "Not One More Death". The question was, who said this, when and about where?

"We have no interest in oppressing other people. We are not moved by hatred against any other nation. We bear no grudge. I know how grave a thing war is. I wanted to spare our people such an evil. It is not so much the country; it is rather its leader. He has led a reign of terror. He has hurled countless people into the profoundest misery. Through his continuous terrorism, he has succeeded in reducing millions of his people to silence. The maintenance of a tremendous military arsenal can only be regarded as a focus of danger. We have displayed a truly unexampled patience, but I am no longer willing to remain inactive while this madman ill-treats millions of human beings."

Many thanks to the dozens who entered and commiserations to those who said it was George Bush, Tony Blair, Saddam Hussein or Osama bin Laden. Many of the entrants got the correct answer, which was Adolf Hitler on 14 April 1939, justifying the German invasion of Czechoslovakia.

The five lucky winners of a free copy of "Not One More Death", randomly selected from all those who answered correctly, are Lu Mason, Charli, Seif, George Arthur and Christina Parpoula.

For everyone else, "Not One More Death", which includes articles by John le Carré, Harold Pinter, Richard Dawkins, Haaifa Zangana and Brian Eno, can be ordered online for £5 at: http://www.stopwar.org.uk/new/NotOneMoreDeath.htm