In Memory

Harry Barnes, who voted against the invasion of Iraq on every occasion in the Commons, draws our attention to a blog from a now dead young American officer, Mark Daily. I opposed the American led invasion of Iraq and have been highly critical of its many excesses. These include the abuse of prisoners, a tendency to zap first and to think later, its ill thought overall tactics which show it to be attuned to fighting the wrong type of war, its rip off commercial interests and its anti-trade union bias. But there is another side of this coin. Nowhere is … Continue reading In Memory

Sinbad and Modern Terrorism

Harry Barnes makes some very thoughtful points about efforts to counter terrorism and draws on his experience of Northern Ireland as an MP over 18 years. Operation Sinbad has been functioning in Basra since 27 September, 2006. It aims to root out corrupt elements in the police, whilst providing assistance to rebuild and repair essentials such as schools, hospitals, water systems and electricity supplies. It is led by the Iraqi Security Service supported by British, Danish and other Multi-National Forces; with the rebuilding aspects of the project being carried out by Iraqi engineers. In the Commons debate on Wednesday, Margaret … Continue reading Sinbad and Modern Terrorism

All Iraqis Will Share Oil Wealth

New hydrocarbon legislation will both encourage foreign investment and ensure an equal distribution of the profits amongst all Iraqis as an attempt to curb oil smuggling which may be used to fund insurgents. (Dave Spector)

Iraqi Bloggers Condemn Mustansiriya Bombers

Insurgents who distributed leaflets prohibiting education were probably behind recent University bombing. Iraq The Model suggests that it may be time to differentiate between deaths caused by insurgents and those resulting from military actions. (Dave Spector)

NDI Remembers Staff Member in Iraq

The National Democratic Institute, which runs programmes to assist civil society organisations, pays respect to those murdered by insurgents in Baghdad: They did not see themselves as heroes, only people doing a job on behalf of a cause they believed in. They were not the enemies of anyone in Iraq; they were there to help. Now, the prayers of all of us at NDI are with them and with their families. We pledge to do everything that is within our power to see that they did not die in vain. We will honor their example, keep alive their memory, and … Continue reading NDI Remembers Staff Member in Iraq

How the government helps Iraqi trade unions

Commons Answer 17 Jan 2007 Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support his Department is providing to strengthen trades unions in Iraq. Hilary Benn: Under Saddam Husseins regime, trades unions were part of the Ba’ath Party machinery and had very little independence. After the fall of his regime, trades unions effectively collapsed. Trades unions in Iraq are therefore relatively recently established. DFID provides support to trades unions through our Civil Society Fund (CSF) programme. There are two main aspects to this assistance: training trades union leaders; and providing a resource centre for trades … Continue reading How the government helps Iraqi trade unions

Britain and the US withdrew Iraqi passport recognition

Britain and the US are no longer recognising existing Iraqi passports. The recognition withdrawal affects many Iraqis living abroad or in Iraq neighbouring countries, including business travellers, students, visitors, family reunion cases and those who need medical treatment. “This inhumane punishment must be stopped, the people of Iraq continues to suffer at every level.” saidJabbar Hasan, director of the Iraqi Association in London. Recently, Iraqi authority has issued new passports which are only issued in Baghdad with limited availability. With continuing violence in the capital, many people may not be able to travel to Baghdad. In addition to that, its … Continue reading Britain and the US withdrew Iraqi passport recognition