Johann Hari slams Galloway

See this article in Progress Magazine in which the author says: as George Galloway seeks to unseat another Labour MP, voters must be reminded of his rancid ideology and poor parliamentary record

Free Mansour Osanloo

Harry Barnes appeals for the freedom of Iranian union leader – please support

Mansour Osanloo, the leader of the Tehran Bus Workers' Trade Union has been sentenced to 5 years imprisonment following brutalities against him by the Iranian authorities when he was nearly blinded.

Press your Trade Union, MP, Labour Party and local Amnesty Group to make the strongest possible representations to achieve freedom for Osanloo and his Trade Union.

LFIQ meeting with representatives of the Iraqi Dawa Party

Joint President Dave Anderson MP and Director Gary Kent met a delegation from the Dawa party at the House of Commons on 18th October, at the request of the Dawa party.

The Dawa party was represented by MP Haider Al-Abadi, Chairman of the Iraqi Council of Representatives's Economic Reconstruction Committee with his colleagues Munther Abadai and Montathar Najem.

Abdullah Muhsin, international representative of the General Federation of Iraqi Workers was unable to attend the meeting due to transport delays and sent his apologies.

The discussion initially centred around the continuing restrictions on Iraqi trade unions and the freezing of assets by the Iraqi government in 2005. Haider said that his personal view was that the freezing of assets had been a mistake but argued that it was understandable, due to concerns about the revival of Baathism, which necessitate laws on such organisations and that a new Labour code was at its First Reading stage but might take some time. He supports a free trade union movement but didn't think there should just be one centre.

Dave and Gary replied that the Iraqi trade union movement best speak for itself but that the unions were committed to helping develop a federal and democratic Iraq and should be seen as enemies of Baathism and friends of the political process.

The UK has one centre, the TUC whilst, for example, France has several. Whether there is one or more is a political choice but the law should not lay down whether there is one or more but simply regulate the functioning of whatever union set-up is agreed by the unions themselves.

Haider emphasised the strategic importance of the oil industry to ensuring social benefits are delivered and improved and stressed the need for an oil law that would regulate foreign investment and internal distribution of oil revenues.

There was a discussion about the position of foreign troops in Iraq and the common view was that the precipitate withdrawal of such forces would create a dangerous vacuum.

Haider also emphasised the impact of Saudi interference in Iraq, including the fact that most suicide bombers have been Saudi nationals.

Dave argued that however we were in this position it was in the self-interest of the Iraqis and the British and other governments that the process of building Iraqi democracy succeeds and referred to discussions between LFIQ and Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells on the importance of economic reconstruction in the British area of operations in the South of Iraq. Gary stressed that too many on the left talked about Iraq but failed to listen to Iraqis themselves.

Haider agreed with this and outlined his party's aim of defeating extremism. The two organisations agreed to continue discussions including possible collaboration with other Iraqi organisations and groups.

Dave Anderson calls for debate on Turkey’s vote

London, UK (KRG.org) – Mr Dave Anderson, the UK Member of Parliament for Blaydon, today in the House of Commons expressed his deep concern about Turkey’s recent vote authorising a military incursion into the Kurdistan Region in Iraq.

The Labour MP called for a debate on the current situation in Kurdistan by tabling an Early day motion (EDM). He asked fellow MPs to back his motion that the House of Commons “deplores Turkish shelling of villages inside the Kurdistan Region in Iraq on the Iraq-Turkey border…is deeply concerned that a Turkish incursion could jeopordise the economy of the Kurdistan Region, the most secure and prosperous part of Iraq where Turkish trade and investment has been instrumental to economic growth”.

Mr Anderson also noted that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) seeks no conflict with Turkey and considers friendly relations with Turkey its top priority. He said he believed that problems and disagreements should be solved through diplomacy and dialogue based on the principle of non-interference in the affairs of others, rather than threats of military force.

The MP for Blaydon stressed that he deplored recent terrorist attacks in Turkey and supported mediation with Iraq to find a comprehensive political solution. He hoped that other UK MPs would sign his motion over the next few days to indicate that they share his concerns about a possible Turkish incursion.

Mr Anderson is a member of Labour Friends of Iraq, which supports democracy and labour rights for all Iraqis. In 2006 he led a Labour Friends of Iraq fact-finding mission to the Kurdistan Region, where he met many Kurdish and Iraqi trade unionists.

Appeal for support for Iraqi labour movement

LFIQ Vice-President Harry Barnes pens a passionate appeal for support for Iraqi trade unions.

The General Federation of Iraqi Workers and the Kurdish Federation of Workers (from Iraqi Kurdistan) have met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq to press for the repeal of Iraq's Anti-Trade Union Legislation.

Still in operation (and use) is Law 150 passed by Saddam Hussein in 1987 banning the operation of Trade Unions in the public sector of the economy, which covers some 80% of those who manage to have jobs.

Decree 8750 adopted in August 2005 by the transitional Government is also still in operation. Under it the Iraqi Government have sequestrated Trade Union funds, pending a decision in which they will determine who is to be recognised as a Trade Union. So much for free Trade Unionism.

It is, therefore, good to see that the Deputy Prime Minister has not dismissed the Trade Unions representations out-of-hand as has occurred in the past. This is, therefore, a key time for the Trade Movement throughout the world to press the Iraqi Government on this issue. It is an urgent and key matter to raise within one's own Trade Union.

I need to declare an interest, I am an honorary member of the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions which form a key part of the General Federation of Iraqi Workers and the bulk of the delegation shown on the above link are friends of mine.

Iraqi Association appeal on Iraqi refugees

PRESS RELEASE 09 October 2007

“I lost my family. I lost my daughter. I lost my husband. I lost my house, my wellbeing, my health and my job. What is left in my life?” This is a typical reaction of Iraqi refugees who flee the violence, fear and sectarian hate in Baghdad. Said Jabbar Hasan of Iraqi Association in London.

Every month thousands of Iraqis joins the exodus of displaced and uprooted Tsunami of human wave, only to face the unknown future. Iraq’s neighbouring countries have imposed visas and other restriction to deter the fleeing people.

Today we have been contacted by a group of 12 Iraqis, men and women, who arrived in Kuala Lumpur to seek safety. But the Malaysian authority threatened them with removal to Baghdad. Beside that, the refugees told Iraqi Association that they were systematically beaten up, insulted and humiliated by the Malaysian guards. We appeal to the authority in Kuala Lumpur not to return them to Baghdad and treat them in a humane way.

“Many Iraqis use a dangerous bus trip across the bandit-ridden Anbar province of Iraq to reach Jordan and Syria, thinking that they will find protection. The desperate humanitarian situation of displaced Iraqis, including the refugees and those who remain within Iraq, has been largely ignored by the world and the media.” said Jabbar Hasan.

Email: info@iraqiassociation.org

Notes to Editors:

According to the UN, 4 million Iraqis (50,000 people a month) have fled their homes since the war began, with 2 million going to neighbouring countries and 2 million displaced within Iraq. Half of them are children.

Gordon Brown on Iraq in the Commons

House of Commons statement on Iraq
08 October 2007

Mr Speaker, the statement I wish to make today is to set out detailed proposals for political reconciliation and economic reconstruction in Iraq, for the security of the Iraqi people, the future configuration, equipment for and security of our own armed forces, and about the obligations we owe to the local Iraqi staff who have supported us in our efforts.

The House will want me to start by paying tribute to the 7 members of our armed forces who since July have lost their lives in action in Iraq:

• Corporal Stephen Edwards
• Private Craig Barber
• Leading Aircraftman Martin Beard
• Lance Sergeant Christopher Casey
• Lance Corporal Kirk Redpath
• Sergeant Mark Stansfield
• Sergeant Eddie Collins

And the 18 who have died in Afghanistan:

• Lance Corporal Alex Hawkins
• Guardsman David Atherton
• Sergeant Barry Keen
• Lance Corporal Michael Jones
• Captain David Hicks
• Private Tony Rawson
• Private Aaron James McClure
• Private Robert Graham Foster
• Private John Trumble
• Private Damian Wright
• Private Ben Ford
• Private Johan Botha
• Private Brian Tunnicliffe
• Senior Aircraftman Christopher Bridge
• Sergeant Craig Brelsford
• Corporal Ivano Violino
• Colour Sergeant Phillip Newman
• Major Alexis Roberts
They died doing vital work in the service of our country. We owe them, and others who have lost their lives, a deep debt of gratitude. They will never be forgotten.

And I also want to send our whole-hearted sympathy to the families of those that have fallen, and to the injured and their families.

Mr Speaker, our strategy as a Government has been:
• first, to work to bring together the political groupings in Basra and across Iraq;
• second, to ensure that the security of the Iraqi people and the new Iraqi democracy is properly safeguarded, as well as the security of our own armed forces;
• and third, to work for an economy in Iraq where people have a stake in the future.

Our strategy is founded on the UN mandate renewed last November in UN Security Council Resolution 1723. Whatever disagreements there have been about our decision to go to war, there can be little disagreement about the unanimous UN position affirming the right of the Iraqi people freely to determine their own political future, calling upon "the International Community, particularly countries in the region and Iraq's neighbours, to support the Iraqi people in their pursuit of peace, stability, security, democracy and prosperity".
And so let me affirm: as I told Prime Minister Maliki last week - and as I have agreed with President Bush and our other allies - we will meet our obligations, honour our commitments and discharge our duties to the international community and to the people of Iraq.

The future depends first of all upon sustained progress on political reconciliation. That is why when I met Prime Minister Maliki and Vice President Hashemi in Baghdad last week, I said it was vital - and they agreed - that the 3 plus 1 leadership group of the Prime Minister and Presidency Council meet to take the political process forward; that key legislation be passed on sharing oil revenues, de-ba'athification, the constitutional review and provincial elections; that the government must reach out to disaffected groups, as well as decide on next steps on detainees; and that local elections go ahead in early 2008 making Provincial Councils more representative. And our message to the Government of Iraq - and to the leaders of all Iraq's communities and parties - is that they must make the long-term decisions needed to achieve reconciliation.

Mr Speaker, the support of Iraq's neighbours - including a commitment to prevent financing and support for militias and insurgent groups - is also critical to ensuring security and political reconciliation.

I urge all nations to implement the International Compact to renew Iraq's economy, to participate in the Neighbours Conferences to boost cooperation and surmount divisions in the region, and to support the enhanced mission of the United Nations in Iraq. I renew our call that Iran and Syria play a more constructive role by halting their support for terrorists and armed groups operating in Iraq, by continuing to improve border security and by arresting and detaining foreign fighters trying to reach Iraq.

And we must all act against the presence of Al Qaeda in Iraq. When the people and security forces stand up to Al Qaeda as in Anbar province, which they had declared to be their base, they can be driven out.

Mr Speaker, as I turn to the security situation I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the steadfastness of our coalition partners also working tirelessly in Multi-National Division South East - troops from Denmark, the Czech Republic and Lithuania - and to the continuing Australian and Romanian role at Tallil in Dhi Qar province. The achievement of a democratic Iraq matters to every civilized nation. And today I pay tribute to all 26 nations - led by the General Petraeus and the US - who have troops on the ground in Iraq.

As the Petraeus-Crocker report set out, the security gains made by the multinational forces this year have been significant. And as important as improving current security is building the capacity of the Iraqi forces so they can achieve our aim: that Iraqis step up and progressively take over security themselves.

In 2004 it was agreed with the Iraqi Government that in each of the country's 18 provinces security responsibility would progressively be returned to the Iraqi authorities as and when the conditions were right. Now we are in a position to announce further progress.

Over the past four years the UK has helped train over 13,000 Iraqi Army troops, including 10,000 now serving with the 10th Division which has been conducting operations in Basra and across the south of the country without the requirement for Coalition ground support. As we tackle corruption, 15,000 police officers are also now trained and equipped in Southern Iraq. And the Iraqi Army 14th Division - with around 11,000 men - are in the process of joining them and have already taken on responsibility for Basra City ----- bringing security forces in the south to almost 30,000 now and over 35,000 by June next year.

Since we handed over our base in Basra City in early September the present security situation has been calmer. Indeed in the last month there have been five indirect fire attacks on Basra Air Station compared with 87 in July. And while the four southern provinces have around 20 per cent of the Iraqi people they still account for less than 5 per cent of the overall violence in Iraq.

Mr Speaker, during our engagement in Iraq we have always made clear that all our decisions must be made on the basis of the assessments of our military commanders and actual conditions on the ground. As a result of the progress made in Southern Iraq, US, UK and Iraqi commanders judged over the last 15 months that three out of the four provinces in the UK's area of control in Southern Iraq were suitable for transition back to the Iraqis --- and these have subsequently been transferred to Iraqi control.

As part of the process of putting the Iraqi forces in the lead in Basra, we have just gone through a demanding operation which involved consolidating our forces at Basra airport. This was successfully completed, as planned, early last month.

The next important stage in delivering our strategy to hand over security to the Iraqis is to move from a combat role in the rest of Basra province to "overwatch" which will itself have two distinct stages. In the first, the British forces that remain in Iraq will have the following tasks:

• training and mentoring the Iraqi army and police force;
• securing supply routes and policing the Iran-Iraq border;
• and the ability to come to the assistance of the Iraqi security forces when called upon.

Then, in the spring of next year - and guided as always by the advice of our military commanders - we plan to move to a second stage of "overwatch" where the Coalition would maintain a more limited re-intervention capacity and where the main focus will be on training and mentoring.

And I want now to explain how - after detailed discussions with our military commanders, a meeting of the National Security Committee, discussions with the Iraqi Government and our allies, and subject to conditions on the ground - we plan, from next spring, to reduce force numbers in southern Iraq to a figure of 2,500.

The first stage begins now. With the Iraqis already assuming greater security responsibility, we expect to:
• establish Provincial Iraqi Control in Basra province in the next two months as announced by the Prime Minister of Iraq,
• move to the first stage of "overwatch",
• reduce numbers in southern Iraq from the 5,500 at the start of September to 4,500 immediately after Provincial Iraqi Control and then to 4,000,
• and then in the second stage of "overwatch", from the spring - and guided as always by the advice of our military commanders - reduce to around 2,500 troops, with a further decision about the next phase made then. In both stages of "overwatch" around 500 logistics and support personnel will be based outside Iraq elsewhere in the region.

At all times achieving our long term aim of handing over security to the Iraqi armed forces and police, honouring our obligations to the Iraqi people and to their security, and ensuring the safety of our forces.

Mr Speaker, I would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the work of our civilian and locally employed staff in Iraq, many of whom have worked in extremely difficult circumstances exposing themselves and their families to danger.

And I am pleased therefore to announce today a new policy which more fully recognises the contribution made by our local Iraqi staff who work for our armed forces and civilian missions in uniquely difficult circumstances.
Existing staff who have been employed by us for more than twelve months and have completed their work will be able to apply for a package of financial payments to aid resettlement in Iraq or elsewhere in the region, or - in agreed circumstances - for admission to the UK. And professional staff --- including interpreters and translators --- with a similar length of service who have left our employ since the beginning of 2005 will also be able to apply for assistance.

We will make a further written statement on the detail of this scheme this week.
The purpose of economic reconstruction is to ensure ordinary Iraqis have an economic stake in the future. And so as a result of the work I launched with Prime Minister Maliki in July, the Provincial Council have created the Basra Investment Promotion Agency to stimulate private sector development and is forming a Basra Development Fund - financed by $30 million dollars from the Iraqi Finance Ministry - to help small businesses access finance and kick start economic growth.

And as announced this morning by the Government of Iraq, we have agreed on the need for a new Basra Development Commission which will bring national, regional and international business knowledge together to provide advice on how to increase investment and economic growth. The Commission will host a business leadership conference to strengthen the engagement of the UK private sector in Iraq and enhance regional investment networks. And it will help the Provincial authorities coordinate projects to strengthen Basra's position as an economic hub, including the development of Basra International Airport and the renovation of Umm Quasr Port.

And I can tell the House that in addition to our support for humanitarian assistance being announced by the Department for International Development today, Deputy Iraqi Prime Minster Barham Saleh has announced over $300 million dollars for investment in Basra from the 2007 Iraqi national budget, and this will be increased again in 2008, ensuring economic reconstruction can make real progress.

Mr Speaker, the safety and security of our armed forces remains our highest priority.

The Mastiff patrol vehicle offers the best known protection against mines and roadside bombs and I can announce today that in addition to the 100 bought and deployed last year in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence is placing an order for an additional 140 Mastiff patrol vehicles.

And in recognition for the work of all our forces in Iraq and Afghanistan - and to help our troops stay in touch with home - we will provide additional funding from the Reserve to double the number of internet terminals and provide free wireless internet for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan so they can email their families from their living quarters.

Mr Speaker, I am convinced after my visit to the region that progress cannot be fully achieved without progress on Israeli-Palestinian issues. A few days ago this Government published its proposals for an economic road map to underpin the peace process, a programme for economic and social support for the rebuilding of the Palestinian economy and the reduction of the high levels of unemployment and poverty amongst the Palestinian people.

My Rt Hon Friend the Foreign Secretary and I believe - as does the whole international community including the US, the EU and the Arab League - that current dialogue between President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert offers the best chance of final status negotiations since 2000. The next step is a meeting with the parties and key international players, hosted by the Americans, in November at which we would like to see an agreement that puts the Israelis and Palestinians on a path to real negotiations in 2008 leading to a final settlement of two states living side by side in peace and security.

There will also be a donors' conference in December, through which the international community will work with Prime Minister Fayyad to strengthen the economy and institutions of a future Palestinian state. And I welcome Tony Blair's work as Quartet Envoy on this. The UK will continue to support the political process and to provide support for humanitarian assistance and economic development. And I assure the House of my personal commitment to doing all we can to ensure progress.

Mr Speaker, working for a successful conclusion to the Middle East Peace Process, taking on Al Qaeda terrorism and ensuring a more secure Iraq are all key to the future stability of the region.

As I have made clear, we have made commitments to the Iraqi people, through the United Nations, and we will honour these obligations.

We will continue to be actively engaged in Iraq's political and economic development.

We will continue to assist the Iraqi Government and its security forces to help build their capabilities - military, civilian and economic - so that they can take full responsibility for the security of their own country.

And we will never shirk from but continue to discharge our duties to them and to the international community.

Mr Speaker, it is also important to remember what has brought us to this stage. It is the determination, professionalism and sacrifice of our Armed Forces. They have protected the Iraqi people while training their security forces to bring peace to their cities, towns and districts. The scale of their achievement should not be underestimated.

Iraqi Kurds promote Iraqi federalism

The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government writes in the Wall Street Journal about how Iraqi Kurds have chosen to defend federalism and that the region’s new oil law is in accord with that. He says: federalism means that we have the liberty to develop our resources under the umbrella, but not the central control, of Iraq. It means that as 17% of the population we will receive 17% of the wealth, and that we will accordingly share 83% of our wealth with the rest of the population.

Iraqi Communists defend federalism in Iraq

Iraqi Communist Party rejects US Senate Resolution

Building the state and its character is an internal matter for the Iraqi people

The Iraqi Communist Party has firmly rejected the non-binding resolution presented by Senator and US presidential candidate Joseph Biden, and adopted by the US Senate on 26 September 2007, and said that the resolution violates the sovereignty of Iraq and the rights of the Iraqi people The resolution called for the division of Iraq into three entities on the basis of sectarian and ethnic affiliation, under a federal government of limited powers, that would undertake to secure borders and distribute oil revenues.

An editorial article published on 1st October 2007 in “Tareeq Al-Shaab” (The People’s Path), the central organ of the Iraqi CP, stated “this odd resolution of the US Senate has met with widespread rejection among large sections of the Iraqi, regional and international opinion, both popular and official .”

The article pointed out that “federalism is not division, and establishing it is an internal Iraqi matter, not an American one… International law and norms do not give the right or authority to the US to impose anything against the will of the Iraqi people (though the occupation formally ended according to UNSCR 1546)”.

The editorial explained the support of the Iraqi C.P. for a federal system of government. The party has held this position since the early 1990s in view of developments in the Iraqi Kurdistan region following the popular uprising of March 1991. This was affirmed later on in the Iraqi constitution, with its First Article stating that “the Republic of Iraq is an independent unified federal state, that is fully sovereign, with a democratic, parliamentary and republican system of government. This constitution guarantees the unity of Iraq.”

The Iraqi Communist Party had stressed “the need for consolidating federalism in Iraqi Kurdistan as the democratic solution to the Kurdish national problem in the real and actual conditions of Iraq.” It also supported, in principle, the establishment of a federal regime in Iraq, on condition that the Iraqi people will decide the form of the regions that would be set up, in accordance with the constitution and the mechanisms included in the “Law for Establishing Regions.” The party has also supported the distribution of powers between the centre and the provinces so as to strengthen decentralization, whether for the whole of Iraq or within regions.

The editorial stressed, however, the need to take into account, when setting up federal regions, the aspirations of the area concerned and fulfilling the free will of its population, “rejecting sectarianism, dictat and coercion”. In addition, this process has to take place “in a climate of national consensus, providing favourable conditions for national reconciliation and restoring security and stability. In this way, the setting up of regions within the framework of a unified democratic Iraq, will be a factor of stability and tranquillity, strengthening national unity that is based on free will and voluntary union.”

“The federalism that we look forward to and aspire to achieve depends, as stated in the Iraqi constitution, on the free will of Iraqis and their right to choose the character of their state and regime, rather than responding to any transient circumstance or fulfilling agendas other than those agreed upon by the Iraqis which safeguard their interests, irrespective of their ethnicities, religions and confessional affiliations. Federalism as such is diametrically opposed to the resolution passed by the US Senate.”

The editorial drew attention to the fact that “this resolution, and others that violate Iraqi sovereignty and the rights of our people,” prove once again that “the state of unprincipled infighting among political forces and blocs, the lack of stability and security, the continued sectarian polarization and agitation, the activities of lawless militias, the weakness of the state and its institutions, all encourage external parties to continue interfering in Iraq’s affairs and strive to influence the course of events according to their own interests rather than the Iraqi people’s vision for the future of their country.”

“It is time therefore for measures to be taken that contribute to political relaxation and to mechanisms to bring about an overall national dialogue leading to a real national consensus, putting an end to the state of violence, restoring security and stability, building state institutions on the basis of citizenship, competence, professionalism and integrity, instead of the detested sectarian quotas and narrow partisanship.”

The editorial concluded by expressing the hope that the US Senate Resolution, “which we oppose and reject in its aim to divide Iraq along sectarian and ethnic lines”, will provide new impetus for all political forces to work together in order to reform the political process and achieve national consensus so as to enable the country to defeat terrorism, eliminate sectarian polarization, spread security and stability, speed up the restoration of full national sovereignty, and move forward towards the building of a state based on institutions and law, and achieve a unified federal and democratic Iraq.

Reasons to be cheerful

Bartle Bull in Prospect magazine comprehensively surveys contemporary Iraq and comes to a hopeful conclusion – that with most Sunni factions now seeking a deal, the big questions in Iraq have been resolved positively. The country remains one, it has embraced democracy and avoided all-out civil war. What violence remains is largely local and criminal.

He adds: The country is whole. It has embraced the ballot box. It has created a fair and popular constitution. It has avoided all-out civil war. It has not been taken over by Iran. It has put an end to Kurdish and marsh Arab genocide, and anti-Shia apartheid. It has rejected mass revenge against the Sunnis. As shown in the great national votes of 2005 and the noisy celebrations of the Iraq football team's success in July, Iraq survived the Saddam Hussein era with a sense of national unity; even the Kurds—whose reluctant commitment to autonomy rather than full independence is in no danger of changing—celebrated. Iraq's condition has not caused a sectarian apocalypse across the region. The country has ceased to be a threat to the world or its region. The only neighbours threatened by its status today are the leaders in Damascus, Riyadh and Tehran.