Response to news of troop withdrawal timetable

Handing over control to Iraqi security forces is excellent news but grassroots solidarity remains pressing. More should support the TUC appeal for second hand mobiles for Iraqi union organisers and emulate, for example, Unison and the Fire Brigades Union in providing practical and moral solidarity to unions whose growth after having been pulverised by Saddam Hussein is an inspiration and whose consciously non-sectarian approach could do much to build a democratic, federal and pluralist Iraq.

Gary Kent
Director Labour Friends of Iraq