STOP THE WAR US ELECTION SPECIAL WITH TONY BENN
BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW
Monday 3 November 7pm
Conway Hall, Holborn, London WC1R 4RL

How will the US election result effect the War on Terror? In
its dying days the Bush administration appears to be seeking
confrontation. This week the US has attacked Pakistan,
Syria, and escalated air attacks in Afghanistan. The hawks
on both sides of the Atlantic are urging a surge in
Afghanistan. Barack Obama himself seems to be endorsing this
kind of strategy while calling for a draw down in Iraq.
Other voices are calling for negotiations with the Taliban.

Stop the War Coalition has organised a forum on the eve of
the US election to assess the impact of the elections and
the deepening economic crisis on western foreign policy and
the war.

The panel includes TONY BENN, The Guardian's JONATHAN
STEELE, ex-Guantanomo prisoner MOAZZAM BEGG, Stop the War's
convenor LINDSEY GERMAN, and award winning filmaker NICK
BROOMFIELD.

Entry will cost £2 and tickets are selling fast - book your
place either by phoning Stop the War on 020 727 86694 or
e-mailing office@stopwar.org.uk

For more information and publicity go to www.stopwar.org.uk

LIVE WEBCAST:
The event will be webcast live. It will be available via our
new live online TV channel:
http://www.mogulus.com/stopthewarcoalition

ONLINE RECORDING
A recorded version will be available on the Stop the War
site within 24 hours of the event.

VOICE FROM AMERICA
Watch a video in which Judith Leblanc, an organiser for
United from Peace and Justice in the US, explains why the
American anti-war movement insists that "books not bombs"
and ending the Bush doctrine of war must be the main
priority for the next government. http://tinyurl.com/5zc76d--
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***********************************
IN THIS NEWSLETTER:

1) US ELECTION, ECONOMIC CRISIS AND WAR
2) AFGHANISTAN: OCCUPATION IN CRISIS
3) ASIAN DUB FOUNDATION: CORRECTION

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1) US ELECTION, ECONOMIC CRISIS AND THE WAR
A STOP THE WAR ELECTION SPECIAL

This year's election in the US is the most anticipated in
decades. A surprise McCain victory would have truly
frightening foreign policy implications. An Obama victory
would be in large part due to anti war sentiment in the
US and if he wins peace loving people round the world
will at least heave a sigh of relief. But many of his
foreign policy statements have been less than reassuring.
He sounds positively hawkish on Afghanistan. The night
before the US election Stop the War is hosting a forum in
London to discuss the likely impact of the election and
the economic crisis on the war.

PUBLIC FORUM
US ELECTION, ECONOMIC CRISIS AND THE WAR.
MONDAY 3 NOVEMBER 7PM,
CONWAY HALL, RED LION SQUARE, HOLBORN
Nearest tube Holborn.

SPEAKERS:
LINDSEY GERMAN Convenor of Stop the War Coalition
TONY BENN,
JONATHAN STEELE, Guardian Journalist and author of
Defeat: why America and Britain Lost Iraq.
MOAZZAM BEGG ex Guantanamo detainee
NICK BROOMFIELD, award winning director of Battle For
Haditha.

Entrance to this event will cost £2. To reserve your seat
phone Stop the War on 0207278 6694 or e-mail
office@stopwar.org.uk

***********************************
2) AFGHANISTAN: OCCUPATION IN CRISIS

The NATO operation in Afghanistan is spilling over in to
Pakistan with devastating results. On Wednesday this week
a US air strike hit a Pakistani school in North
Waziristan, killing eleven. Unbelievably the response
from intelligence officials was that the school had links
with the Taliban. The attack appears to have been the
result of US frustration with the Pakistani government
strategy of dealing with extremism which the US believes
is too soft.

The occupation of Afghanistan is increasingly brutal.
Reports of civilian deaths are mounting as air
bombardments become more intense. This week coalition
bombers hit an Afghan army checkpoint in Khost killing at
least nine soldiers.

The occupation is in crisis, but the main reaction from
Whitehall and Washington seems to be to order an
escalation of the aggression. A week ago it was announced
the outspoken General Dannatt is resigning early as chief
of the General Staff and be replaced by the hawk Sir
David Richards who supports a surge in Afghanistan
including sending 5,000 extra British troops.

In the US, Barack Obama's aides are outlining a foreign
policy centred around escalation in Central Asia.

The Stop the War Coalition continues to call for all
foreign troops to leave the region immediately. We will
be supporting the anti NATO protests at Strasbourg next
April 3th-6th. For more information go to:
http://tinyurl.com/5ts438

NAMING THE DEAD
We are also asking all local groups and supporters to
organise vigils, protests and naming of the dead
ceremonies on Thursday 20 November -- the seventh
anniversary of the so called liberation of Afghanistan.

***********************************
3) ASIAN DUB FOUNDATION: CORRECTION

In our last newsletter, we gave a broken link to the
website for Asian Dub Foundation, the renowned British
band which is supporting Stop the War. The correct link
is below.

Asian Dub Foundation's new album, PUNKARA, is out now on
CD and digital download and features guests IGGY POP and
EUGENE HUTZ (Gogol Bordello). For track previews and
further info: http://tinyurl.com/23ckgf

Stop the War Coalition will be represented at ADF's only
gig in the UK this year:

Electric Ballroom
Tube: Camden Town, London
Tuesday, 28 October at 7.30 pm
Tickets: 0844 576 5483
www.livenation.co.uk

***********************************
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***********************************

IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
1) CRIMINAL, IMMORAL AND NOW A FARCE
2) WORLD AGAINST WAR TOUR
3) STOP THE WAR'S HALLOWEEN PARTY
4) ASIAN DUB FOUNDATION SUPPORTING STOP THE WAR

***********************************
1) CRIMINAL, IMMORAL AND NOW A FARCE

The new head of the British Army, General Sir David Richards,
is believed to favour sending 5,000 more British troops to
Afghanistan on top of the 8,000 already there. This should, he
argues, be part of a massive 30,000 increase in the number of
occupation troops, with the US supplying 25,000 additional
troops

Last month the British ambassador to Afghanistan, Sir Sherard
Cowper-Coles, is reported to have said that the US strategy in
Afghanistan is destined to fail. "The coalition presence -
particularly the military presence - is part of the problem,
not the solution," he said.

Only last week the U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus said that
negotiations with the Taliban might be considered.

What is going on? Generals, diplomats and politicians are
tripping over themselves in their confusion. British troops
might be asking themselves what they are doing in Afghanistan
since their political and military commanders seem to have no
idea.

The wars and occupation of both Afghanistan and Iraq are
criminal and immoral and now a bloody farce, with at least a
million dead in Iraq and spiralling civilian deaths and
another British soldier killed this week in Afghanistan. As
Stop the War has consistently argued, the only way to end this
mass slaughter and destruction is by the withdrawal of all
foreign troops, a view shared by the vast majority of people
in Iraq, Afghanistan, America and Britain.

AFGHANISTAN: WHY WE SHOULD GET OUT
If you haven't got your copy yet of Stop the War's new
pamphlet, Afghanistan: Why We Should Get out, you can get one
today for only £1 plus 50p p&p. Bulk orders are available: up
to 10 pamphlets cost £1 each, after that they are 50p each.
Contact Stop the War on 020 7278 6694 for single or bulk
orders.

***********************************
2) WORLD AGAINST WAR TOUR

Stop the War is hosting World Against War rallies around the
country. International speakers will discuss whether economic
crisis will spread war, whether Obama will pull troops out of
Iraq if he wins the election and the devastating impact of the
NATO occupation on Afghanistan. The meetings will also report
on resistance to the war in the West and the Middle East.

Speakers include JUDITH LEBLANC from United from Peace and
Justice in the US, HOSSAM EL-MAHALAWY from the Cairo
Conference in Egypt, SABAH JAWAD and SAMI RAMADANI from Iraqi
Democrats against the Occupation, MOHAMMED ASIF from the
Scottish Afghan Society.

WORLD AGAINST RALLIES:
Monday 20 October: Tower Hamlets, London,
Tuesday 21 October: Cambridge
Wednesday 22 October: Leeds
Thursday 23 October: Newcastle
Friday 24 October: Glasgow

For further details:
http://www.stopwar.org.uk
Tel 020 7278 6694
Email: office@stopwar.org.uk

***********************************
3) STOP THE WAR'S HALLOWEEN PARTY

Stop the War is holding a Halloween party in London on Friday
31 October to raise funds for its campaigns. There will be
trick or treat games, apple bobbing and great prizes for the
best costumes! Wear anything from your George Dubya mask to
your favourite pumpkin costume.

Included among the DJs playing a mixture hip hop, drum 'n'
bass and spooky party tunes all night are Neotropic, Jimmy
Reckless (Blackmarket Records) & Fe_Bak.

Tickets are £5 in advance or £6 on the door. This event is
expected to sell out so early booking is highly advisable. All
proceeds to Stop The War Coalition.

BOOK NOW: STOP THE WAR'S HALLOWEEN PARTY
Tel 020 7278 6694 or
Email tansy@stopwar.org.uk.

STWC HALLOWEEN PARTY FUNDRAISER
FRIDAY 31 OCTOBER 7PM - 2AM
THE MINORIES, 64 THE MINORIES, LONDON EC3N 1JL

***********************************
4) ASIAN DUB FOUNDATION SUPPORTING STOP THE WAR

The renowned band Asian Dub Foundation's new album, PUNKARA,
is out now on CD and digital download and features guests IGGY
POP and EUGENE HUTZ (Gogol Bordello). For track previews and
further info: http://tinyurl.com/68zo8l

Asian Dub Foundation are supporting Stop the War and their
guitarist STEVE SAVALE, aka CHANDRASONIC, will be interviewing
TARIQ ALI (www.tariqali.org) on film for the STWC and ADF
websites (details to follow). Stop the War Coalition will also
be represented at ADF's only gig in the UK this year, with
their new band line-up.

Electric Ballroom
Tube: Camden Town, London
Tuesday, 28 October at 7.30 pm
Tickets: 0844 576 5483
www.livenation.co.uk

***********************************--
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IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
1) ANTI-WAR CAMPAIGN NEEDED MORE THAN EVER
2) "WE ARE NOT GOING TO WIN THIS WAR"
3) NO TO NATO DEMONSTRATION
4) BECOME A NATIONAL STOP THE WAR MEMBER
5) SET UP A STOP THE WAR GROUP IN YOUR TOWN

*************************************
1) ANTI-WAR CAMPAIGN NEEDED MORE THAN EVER
As economic crisis spreads round the globe, the world is becoming a more
dangerous place. The conflict in Georgia raised the prospect of big power
confrontation. For all the talk of success in Iraq, the country has been
brutally segregated and violence is still at 2004 levels. In Afghanistan,
violence is spiralling and even the UK military admit failure. There is every
chance that the US and NATO will respond by intervening elsewhere.

Anti war campaigning is more important than ever. Stop the War has organised a
wide range of events across the country over the next three months.

DIARY OF EVENTS:
--------------------------------------------------------------
OCTOBER 2008: WORLD AGAINST WAR RALLIES: With Sami Ramadani of Iraqi Democrats
Against The Occupation. Judith LeBlanc from the US Peace Coalition United for
Peace and Justice, Hossam el-Hamalawy, Egyptian Journalist & Activist, Mohamed
Asif from the Scottish Afghan society and a speaker from Stop the War
Coalition.

TOWER HAMLETS London Monday evening October 20th
CAMBRIDGE Tuesday evening Oct 21st,
LEEDS Wednesday Oct 22nd,
NEWCASTLE Thursday Oct 23rd,
GLASGOW Friday Oct 24th

University Meetings
SUSSEX UNIVERSITY 1pm, Monday October 20
SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL AND AFRICAN STUDIES, 1pm, Tuesday October 21st
LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY, 1pm Wednesday 22nd
MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY, 1pm Thursday 23rd
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY, 1pm Friday 24th

Please see the website for further details.
--------------------------------------------------------------
US ELECTION SPECIAL: THE ELECTION, ECONOMIC CRISIS AND THE WAR.
NOVEMBER 3, 7PM CONWAY HALL,
RED LION SQUARE, HOLBORN.
Stop the War has brought together a group of commentators and activists to
discuss the likely impact of the economic crisis and the election on US wars.
SPEAKERS: Tony Benn, Jonathan Steele - Guardian journalist, Moazzam Begg,
ex-Guantanamo Detainee, Nick Broomfield - film maker, Lindsey German, Convenor
of STWC.
--------------------------------------------------------------
OCTOBER 31 - STWC HALLOWEEN PARTY FUNDRAISER
7pm-2am @ The Minories, 64 The Minories, London EC3N 1JL.
Tickets £5 from the STWC office or tansy@stopwar.org.uk
--------------------------------------------------------------
November 29 STOP THE WAR CONFERENCE - AFGHANISTAN, NATO AND THE SPREAD OF WAR
11am to 4pm at University & College Union, Britannia Street, London WC1,
off Gray's Inn Road, nearest tube Kings Cross.
--------------------------------------------------------------
DECEMBER 5: STWC CHRISTMAS PARTY
6.30pm – 10.30pm at The Canal Museum,
12/13 New Wharf Road, London, N1 9RT.
Tickets £10 including food and available from the STWC office.

*************************************
2) "WE ARE NOT GOING TO WIN THIS WAR"

"We're not going to win this war." So said Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith, the
British general in charge about Afghanistan, on Sunday. He was effectively
admitting the Taliban and other anti occupation groups are winning and both the
occupation and the Karzai government are completely discredited.

What he didn't mention is the root cause of all this. Life has quite simply
got much worse for Afghans since the occupation. There has been virtually no
reconstruction. All the research, including that of UN shows the same picture.

* Life expectancy has fallen since 2003 to 43.1 years;
* Since 2001, the infant mortality rate has risen to 135 per 1,000 deaths;
* Only 31% of the population have access to clean water;
* Adult literacy has fallen from 2003 figure to 23.5%.

Stop the War has produced a new pamphlet called AFGHANISTAN, WHY WE SHOULD GET
OUT. Introduced by John Pilger, the pamphlet covers the war, women's rights,
the opium boom and the tremendous cost of the war to the Afghan people and the
British Exchequer.

We hope you will enjoy reading this important resource and try and sell some
copies. Winning the argument against the occupation of Afghanistan is one of
the most important jobs we face.

TO BUY THE PAMPHLET, PRICE £1:
ONLINE: Go to http://tinyurl.com/3no7sg
CREDIT/DEBIT CARD: Call 020 7278 6694

Bulk orders are also available: Up to 10 pamphlets cost £1 each, after that
they are 50p each. Contact Stop the War on 020 7278 6694 for single or bulk
orders.

*************************************
3) NO TO NATO DEMONSTRATION

NO TO NATO. STOP THE SPREAD OF WAR.
TROOPS OUT OF AFGHANISTAN
STRASBOURG, 3-5 APRIL 2009

Tens of thousands of anti war protestors are due to converge on Strasbourg in
early April next year for the sixtieth conference of NATO. NATO has become the
main vehicle for pursuing the 'war on terror' and is running the
catastrophic occupation in Afghanistan. The European anti-war and peace
movements have come together to call a massive demonstration and a series of
other protest events in Strasbourg.

Stop the War will be organising transport to the protests.

There will be an activists meeting to prepare the protests in Strasbourg on
February 14 and 15 next year. More details and a call for the protests is
available on the Stop the War website: http://www.stopwar.org.uk/

*************************************
4) BECOME A NATIONAL STOP THE WAR MEMBER

Stop The War is asking all its supporters to turn themselves into members of
the Coalition. The anti-war movement can only thrive if people support the Stop
The War Coalition by joining it and making a small donation every month by
taking out a standing order with us or consider increasing your existing one
today.

We hope you are already in touch with your local Stop the War group, if this is
not the case and you would like to be informed about local activities, please
let the office know and we will send you contact details for your local group.

Once again thank you for your support and please do not hesitate to contact us
at the Stop the War Coalition office at any time.

*************************************
5) SET UP A STOP THE WAR GROUP IN YOUR TOWN
We have been contacted by a number of people wanting to set up a Stop the War
groups in their town, locality or college. If you think you could do the same,
please contact the office and we will send you a start up pack, help you
organise a launch meeting or film showing and give you any other advice and
support we can. The office number is 020 7278 6694.

*************************************
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