Author: ericlee

Before Christmas, Robert Taylor argued for troops out of Iraq and his article included the following paragraph: “It will be argued an Anglo-American evacuation from Iraq could not be done overnight. But a strict timetable of June or July next year could be set for the process to end. There is a precedent, although admittedly not one that suggests such a departure would be trouble-free. The exit from India and that country’s partition in 1947 cost the lives of millions but it was a cruel necessity. The same can be said for Iraq.” Tribune has published the following from Councillor … Continue reading Tribune letter criticises breathtaking view

See fascinating report from IWPR on Relief Web.

The Iraqi Community Association and the Evelyn Oldfield Unit have great pleasure in inviting you to attend the Iraqi community exhibition as part of the Refugee Community Project on Thursday 22nd September 2005, 7-9 pm, at Manilowa Room, Polish Social & Cultural Association, 238 – 246 King Street, London, W6 0RF. The Refugee Community History Project is documenting the history of selected individuals from 15 refugee communities in London, through the collection of oral testimony. The project is being run by the Evelyn Oldfield Unit and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Trust for London. This exhibition will … Continue reading Iraqi exhibition in London, 22 September

Many commentators regard the London terror attacks as Tony Blair’s payback for Britain’s role in Iraq. Sami Zubaida assesses the evidence.

Visit here for an article on the Iraqi Special Tribunal charges against Saddam Hussein for crimes committed during his reign. (MH)

It was right to drive Al Qaeda out of Afghanistan. By contrast, it becomes increasingly clear that the invasion of Iraq was a mistake, almost certainly creating more terrorists that it eliminated. But now we have to make the best of a bad job there. The last thing we should do in response to this attack is to scuttle out of Iraq. On the contrary, now is the time for all democracies to rally round the cause of building a peaceful and halfway free Iraq, while insisting on further changes in occupation policy from a sobered United States, no longer … Continue reading Timothy Garton Ash on Iraq and 7/7

“The real solution lies in immediately ending the occupations of Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine,” says Tariq Ali in a classic confusion of cause and consequence. September 11 preceded the removal of the Taliban and the invasion of Iraq. The perpetrators of 7/7 seek a 7th-century Islamic Caliphate, not the resumption of the roadmap. A precipitate withdrawal from Iraq isn’t sought by most Iraqis and would create a security void in which a democratic constitution and the rights of unions and women could be consumed by sectarian strife. It could also force the Kurds into a unilateral declaration of independence and … Continue reading LFIQ letter in Guardian

Letter sent to the Times Your leader (Revulsion and Resolve, 8 July) rightly warns that the Muslim community in Britain should not be victimised. Just as Irish people were rightly not held responsible for IRA atrocities nor should Muslim Londoners. We would add that the success of Iraqi democratisation will powerfully undermine a miniscule minority which supports a sectarian war of civilisations, here and on a daily basis in Iraq. We appeal, therefore, to the British public to assist Iraqi democrats as they struggle for a democratic, federal, united and secular Iraq. It is a common cause of humanity. Yours … Continue reading Joint letter from the iraqi Community Association and LFIQ to the Times

The Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) London office strongly condemns the terrorist attacks in London that took place yesterday (7 July, 2005) against innocent defenceless working people going about their daily routine.

Check out Normblog on the reasons for optimism in Southern Iraq (AJ)