Iraq

The US government and it's coalition had no business invading Iraq. It has no business being there now. The best thing America etc can do is leave now before any more Iraqis are killed, injured, and or made homeless by the self righteous deceitful avaricious action of the coalition leaders.

Janice Keenan, Australia

 

 

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Missing From Current U.S Discussions on Terrorism

Much has been said and written through documentaries and talk shows, about Middle Eastern terrorists, terrorism and their origins. However, one glaring omission in these discussions is the history of Western involvement in the middle east, more specifically, that of the U.S. Despite what is written in our history books, taught in lectures and presented in documentaries of our role in the region as peace makers, a comprehensive and open review of our history would reveal otherwise.

The following list of events, is by no means comprehensive, however serve as possible sources of mistrust and anger in the Middle East toward the west;

1. The French invasion of Algeria.

2. The British invasions of Iraq from 1914 to present.

3. The creation and war over the Suez Canal.

4. The CIA backed overthrow of Iran's democratically elected government in 1954.

5. Arming of Iraq in the Iran-Iraq war by the U.S and many other countries, then the Iran-Contra affair in which, the U.S provided arms to Iran.

6. 12 years of U.S backed, U.N sanctions imposed upon Iraq where approximately a half - million children died daily and contributed in the markedly deteriorated condition of its infrastructure, to include hospitals. Incidentally, these sanctions were condemned by Human rights groups worldwide.

7. Multiple U.S bombings of Iraq from 1990 to present where tens of thousands of people have died.

8. Contamination of Iraq's land and water with Depleted Uranium by the U.S over the course of these wars.

9. The deaths of thousands of Afghans at the hands of U.S forces.

10. The creation of the state of Israel (where indigenous people were displaced) and its activities in the region which, are not only ignored, but encouraged by the U.S. Here in the U.S, house demolitions, building of new settlements as well as the massive barrier which, cross Palestinian land.

11. The thousands of Afghan and Iraqi orphans created by U.S bombing campaigns.

12. The killing of Arab journalists.

While it is true that there have been and continue to be many corrupt regimes in the region (many of which we've supported) of local origin, the same also holds true for the west.

If all countries are sincere about finding solutions to ending the senseless cycle of violence and promoting long term peace, open, honest and direct dialogue has to occur. This would include a declassification of all documents regarding western, more specifically U.S activities in the Middle East. All documents should be presented before an international committee for review, which would cut through all of the hearsay and half-truth presented in newspapers and newscasts.

From current invasions and U.S threats toward Middle Eastern countries (Syria and Iran), to past events such as the Berlin Conference of 1885 (also known as The Scramble for Africa) and the Crusades, continued Western denial of its culpability in the current destructive climate only exacerbates this catastrophe, ensuring conflict and misunderstanding for generations to come.

Timothy Stinson,

Miami, Florida

 

 

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John Kerry: Jewish or Catholic?

You show a picture of John Kerry leaving a Catholic Church but John Kerry has a Jewish grandfather. He changed his Jewish name of KOHN to Kerry. 

People in the Arab World think when Kerry will be President of the USA, he will pull American troops out of Iraq. Don't get your hopes up too high, NOTHING will change with the US government. Do you remember in how many wars the Democratic President Clinton was involved? Rwanda, Somalia, Serbia, Bosnia Kosovo-did I forget any?

George Scorp, USA

Editor: I don't think that most Arabs and Americans are under any illusion that a US President is limited in what he can do in front of the war lobby.

Yes, you forgot that clinton upheld the Bush Sr.'s sanctions and embargo against Iraq throughout the 1990s, when about 1.5 million Iraqis died, about half a million of them were children. He also ordered a cruise missile campaign, known as "Desert Fox."

 

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Kudos!

I am an avid reader of 'mainstream' media, letters and editorials from many publications across N. America.

It was just by chance that I came across your site, and after serious review of Al Jazeerah, I wish you to know it is refreshing to read 'the other side' of National and International events.

Most every letter and Editorial I've read reflects 'my thoughts and emotions' .

As a Canadian, I am embarrassed by my country's political scene, We are 'American Lackeys'. We have no choice, but be.......

I am in the twilight of my years, and have lived , and witnessed, Canada being formed, folded by the USA .....and I feel nothing but weak...

We, as a people, are proud...as our native peoples constantly attest.

But, in this global situation, pride cannot, will not, bring peace.

The U.S. buck has, and yields too much power around the globe.

...and as a Canadian, I fear for us. ...I, as many can attest to, the US will flush....

Dave S. Rupert, Dorchester On, Canada

 

 

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Under What Legal Authority Do Private Armies Operate ?

 

It is said that there are over 20,000 security personnel working in Iraq. Under what authority do these private security workers operate under? Many are seeking the thrill of killing Iraqis. But, look at the cost to the American taxpayers. Private security are paid between 1000 to 2000 dollars per day. There are 15 – 20 thousand of them. Do the math; you will see that the rebuilding dollars directed at Iraq are actually being spent paying for high priced security for the coalition governing members including Bremer. Over 8 billion dollars will be spent in a year for private security. I guess the US Army is not good enough, so you taxpayers are paying the price in cash and lost American lives.

The US GI gets sand kicked in his face by the high priced security and they also get next to nothing in pay…there is something really wrong here. I pray that the Americans will smell the coffee and leave Iraq ASAP. Swallow a little pride and leave. The carnage of innocent Iraqis and needless American lives lost, has gone on for far too long. The Iraqi people have survived hundreds of years without American intervention, I am sure they will survive this too.

This is an illegal war and it has to come to a stop, this is no place for NATO nor the UN to mess around in until the Americans have totally vacated the war torn country. BUSH would rather go it alone and acts childish even on national TV. He said “Bring em on!” now they are coming on.

The US lead embargos devastated the country for over ten years, and have now blown it all up with their not-too-smart bombs. How can the world sit by and allow these atrocities to happen?

Mike Durocher, Saskatchewan, CANADA

 

 

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NO NUKES FILM Festival! By WAND at GA state April 16-22

 

 

Georgia Peace & Justice Coalition (GPJC) is proud to join with
Physicians for Social Responsibility(PSR/Atlanta), Georgians Against
Nuclear Energy (GANE), United Nations Association (UNA/Atlanta) and
Power of Women (POW) at Georgia State Unbiversity to support Atlanta
WAND's first ever NO NUKES FILM FEST!

This week long event will begin this Friday, April 16th, and run through
Earth Day, April 22nd.  Screenings will begin each day at 11am (except
for Sunday) and run until 11pm at night.  All films will be shown in
Georgia State UNiversity's Cinefest Theatre which is located at 66
Courtland Street in the Student Center Building. and seats 140 folks. Go
to the Altanta WAND web site at www.atlantawand.org
<http://www.atlantawand.org/>  to get the complete list of films and
screening times, directors and length of films.  Films run from 2
minutes (Bambi Meets Godzilla) to 131 minutes (The Story of Karen
Silkwood). You can also visit the cinefest website at www.cinefest.org
<http://www.cinefest.org/> .

A total of 35 films will be shown during the week (several more than
once) and all films are FREEEEEEEEEEE!

A door prize will be awarded at every showing.

Special events to note within this festival include:

4/16, Friday night opening reception at 7pm with great food provided
courtesy of Power of Women on the outdoor Plaza overlooking Decatur
Street by Cinefest Film Theatre.  Or in Room 230, right by Cinefest box
office in case of rain! .

4/17, Saturday morning at 11am films for younger audiences (recommended
for 4th grade an up) with large paper crane folding activities to follow
at noon in Room 230.  All materials provided free of charge! Repeat of
this Saturday program will be on Monday morning at 11am for school
groups (call WAND at 404-524-5999 if your school is interested) .

4/18, Sunday at 2pm, three short films and a discussion on the ethics of
nuclear weapons and The Urgent Call led by PSR's Ed Arnold.  Coffee,
punch and cookies provided.


4/18, Sunday night at 6:20pm youth fellowships are invited to come watch
The Sum of All Fears (123 minutes long) with Ben Affleck.

Other blockbuster films include War Games, Silkwood, Erin Brockovich,
China Syndrome, and Dr. Strangelove.
Many alternative films and activist films as well as "industry films"
are included in the ambitious line-up.

Southeast premiere of a brand new film by ! Southwest film maker Candy
Jones, showing after Dr. Strangelove (Strangelove screens at 8pm) on
Friday night at 9:45pm.

This festival is made possible by Atlanta WAND through a generous grant
from the Ploughshares Fund which supports WAND's nuclear awareness and
nuclear weapons abolition work in the Southeast.  Your feedback is most
welcome as we plan for next year's festival with yet more opportunities
for partnerships and presentations by as yet unheralded film makers.



WAND was founded as Women's Action for Nuclear Disarmament in the early1980s. 

Info  (404) 524-5999. Or email wandatlanta@mindspring.com