Its not just the brand-mangers at the Premiership who scream about the
power of football. And football is not just a tool used by ruling
elites to whip up nationalism or to bond to them an otherwise
potentially rebellious working class. Football can be a negative
political tool but it can also be a force for strengthening community
networks and inter-communal ties.
Continue reading Jane Ashworth examines the potential role of football in the new Iraq
(LFIQ found these documents posted on the website of the journal What
Next? http://www.whatnextjournal.co.uk and as such in the public
domain)
LFIQ invites readers to study these letters very carefully. We would
draw our readers attention to just two points before encouraging them
to read the entire exchange.
First, Rix objects first to the StWC’s expressed support for ‘any
means necessary’ used by the Resistance. Rix writes to Murray ‘If you
think I am going to sit back and agree with beheadings, kidnappings,
torture and brutality, and out right terrorization of ordinary Iraqi
and others, then you can forget it’.
Second, Rix points out that Murray, and the StWC, have fingered the
IFTU. “I don’t think you also realise the danger that your actions and
those of the Respect colleagues in the StTW have placed [the Foreign
Representative of the IFTU] against attacks from extremists. Some
people talk about life and death situations, some unfortunately have
to live it and so do their families in Iraq and I don’t see why you,
Respect or the coalition have a right to think you can place them in
that situation, when they are living daily with those consequences,
because they are not the “new” friends of yourself, George, StTW or
Respect such as extreme nationalists, or religious fundamentalists. It
is you who have attacked the IFTU and Abdullah”.
Saddam’s Mass Graves
Saddam’s mass graves are being uncovered. There are 62 pages of powerful and moving photographs of the mass graves at http://massgraves.info
Alex Gordon conducted interviews with IFTU members in Britain as part
of an exchange with Unison. They outline how they defeated anti-women
proposals and took back their headquarters from US troops. The full
text can be found at the IFTU web site by clicking above.
Extract from Commons debate on 29th November
Mr. Harry Barnes (North-East Derbyshire) (Lab): How widely known is the holding of the general election in Iraq among the Iraqi people? A short time ago, it seemed that it was not well known; perhaps people had other things to be bothered and worried about. There might be some indication in terms of the number of people who have registered to vote or are expected to register and in the number of local elections that have already been held to prepare people for a coming general election.
Continue reading Harry Barnes asks Foreign Secretary about preparations for Iraqi elections
We note the view of the Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister Hamid al-Bayati “Using force that kills civilians on a large scale is a mistake. The logic of occupation must end.”
This CLP is alarmed that military action against the terrorists in Falluja and other towns will result in large scale loss of civilian life.
The aerial bombardment of a built-up civilian area will drive ordinary Iraqis towards the men of violence.
We implore the Labour government to exercise all its influence to prevent these casualties and to pursue all political and humanitarian channels to resolve the crisis.
We urge the Labour Government to do all it can to support the UN process that envisages a democratic sovereign Iraq and to support all democratic forces within Iraq, including the newly emerging trade union movement.
This CLP recognises that a flourishing democracy and civil society in Iraq will powerfully undermine the terrorists.
New Statesman
Monday 1st November 2004
The left, in the form of the Stop the War Coalition, has fallen out even with Iraqi comrades who opposed the war. Why? Because those comrades don’t see hostage-takers and decapitators as resistance fighters.
Continue reading The great liberal betrayal by Nick Cohen – full text
EDM 1799
TRADE UNIONS IN IRAQ 25.10.04
John Mann
53 signatures
That this House notes that free trade unionism is a key ingredient of a move from totalitarianism to democracy; welcomes the renewal of free trade unionism in Iraq; and calls on the Government to give assistance and priority to the strengthening of this movement.
As an Amendment to John Mann’s proposed Motion (TRADE UNIONS IN IRAQ):
EDM 1799A1
TRADE UNIONS IN IRAQ Amdt. line 4: 03.11.04
Jeremy Corbyn
2 signatures
by encouraging the Iraqi government to ensure all public sector employees enjoy full trade union rights in line with International Labour Organisation conventions.
EDM 1799A1A1
TRADE UNIONS IN IRAQ Amdt. line 3: 04.11.04
Mr Harry Barnes
1 signature
Line 3, at end add ‘and as campaigned for by the Iraqi Federation of Iraqi Unions.’
Extract from Defence Questions in the Commons, 25th October
Mr. Harry Barnes (North-East Derbyshire) (Lab): Would it not make more sense to have American troops in Iraq under British control rather than British troops under American control? Have we not made a better fist of things than the Americans, whose activities have been disastrous?
Mr. Hoon: From time to time in Iraq, British troops have been under American control and American troops have been under British control. That is in the nature of coalition operations.