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President Bushs decision to increase the number of U.S. troops in Iraq by more than 20,000 ignores the will of the American people and perpetuates this administrations flawed policy, AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said in a statement. (Dave Spector) Statement by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney On the President’s Proposal to Expand American Troops in Iraq January 11, 2007 No United States foreign policy can be sustained without the informed consent of the American people. Last November the American people spoke loudly and clearly that the President’s course in Iraq was flawed and that he should begin bringing our troops home … Continue reading Iraq Needs Political, Diplomatic Efforts, Not Military Build up

Harry Barnes carries a link to a very moving song for peace on his blog and appeals for people to work with those in Iraq who work with each other often irrespective of religous sect, ethnic or national background, family or tribal links, sex or sexual orientation, race or creed.

Writing in the Mirror author Christopher Hitchens criticises the execution of Saddam arguing: what we have seen instead is something more like an exorcism, or blood-rite. It is difficult, in fact impossible, to convey to non-Iraqis how deep and terrible was Saddams regime of fear. People could be executed horribly if they upset a cup of coffee on a newspaper that carried his photograph. Relatives were not just forced to watch the torture and murder of their loved ones, but were compelled to applaud as well. A quarter of a century of terror and humiliation is not easily cancelled. As … Continue reading More on execution of Saddam Hussein

Ann Clwyd criticises the Archbishop of Canterbury for not doing enough to get Saddam Hussein indicted for mass murder before the invasion of Iraq. Tony Blairs personal envoy to Iraq revealed she had asked Dr Rowan Williams to take a leading role in her campaign in 2002 when he was the Archbishop of Wales. Ms Clwyd campaigned against Saddam’s human rights abuses for many years and, in 1996, founded a group called Indict which amassed evidence and sought to persuade governments to support moves to prosecute the dictator. She said, “I went to see Rowan Williams in Newport in the … Continue reading Archbishop found wanting

Harry Barnes welcomes the new 6.3 million strong international union being developed by Amicus and says that they could develop links with our comrades in the Iraqi labour movement.

Travelling in Iraq, Christopher Hitchens concludes that there is no reason in principle why Iraq could not be one of the most prosperous countries on earth. For the moment, feuding sects use their control over ministries to enrich their own supporters, but even the most blinkered tribalist can glimpse the idea that a shared country would be more beneficial to each than a shattered one.

Masrour Barzani argues that those who fought for liberty and freedom have been forgotten by The Iraq Study Group. He says that To call upon Iraqs neighbors, which have chosen Iraq as a place to fight the United States, is a grave mistake. Seeking their participation would inevitably backfire. They would not only contribute to the instability within the country but would implement agendas in direct contradiction to America’s occupation goals. The author is the director of the Intelligence and Security Agency of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq and a high-ranking member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party.

Following a campaign against symbols of Paganism, extremists in Mosul have destroyed a statue of women carrying jars.

Despite violent turmoil and corruption, Iraqs booming economy has left the government with the enviable task of finding capital projects to allocate oil revenues to. Iraq The Model reports on a plan to give 30% of the surplus back to the non-criminal, non-millionaire and non-migrant population. (Dave Spector)

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani says that Baker-Hamilton Iraq Study Group report offered dangerous recommendations that would undermine his countrys sovereignty and were an insult to the people of Iraq.