IAWM Bulletin: 10 December 2003

national | anti-war / imperialism | news report

Saturday December 13, 2003 14:19

by Cork Anti-War

Bulletin issued by IAWM

Afghanistan – American forces admit that fighter jets have bombed six more children

The US military has admitted that it has killed six more children at the weekend in an attack on ‘a compound used by a militant to store arms’ near Gardez in Paktia province. This is addition to the nine children killed by its fighter jets on Saturday. Children obviously continue to be a legitimate target for the US war machine.

Iraq – A new Vietnam for the USA?

As opposition grows in Iraq, more and more people are asking is Iraq the new Vietnam? Some of the facts point very strongly towards that viewpoint. The attrition rate among US forces (the percentage of soldiers killed or wounded) is 9.25%, already higher than in Vietnam. There were, of course, many more US troops in Vietnam at the peak than are in Iraq. However, it took three years (1962-1965) in Vietnam for the death toll to reach the level it has already reached in Iraq. Remembering that only 30,000 soldiers are ‘in the front line’, it its clear that these troops face a very high risk of becoming a casualty. No wonder then that 14 soldiers have committed suicide and dozens have maimed or injured themselves to avoid active service.

The Pentagon’s tactics and its use of the term ‘Iraqification’ is reminiscent of the Vietnamization that was a clear sign of weakness and desire in the late 1960s to withdraw as soon as possible. One tactic that strikes terror into the population is the bombing of villages where suspected ‘terrorists’ live regardless of the danger to innocent men, women and as is clear in Afghanistan, children. A frightening article has been posted on the IAWM website on the Israeli-style tactics now being used in Iraq. http://irishantiwar.org/news/item.tcl?news_item_id=100551

Shannon – 300 protesters blockade the main dual-carriageway leading to Airport
Gardai use overwhelming force and intimidation

The Shannon blockade was characterised by the non-violent, peaceful approach by all the protesters. Unfortunately, before we even got near the airport the Gardai upped the ante by ‘searching’ the buses from Dublin, Cork and Galway, ostensibly looking for ‘weapons’. They confiscated all placard-sticks, flag poles and even 1,000 ‘Free Fintan Lane’ posters. It seems that ideas are deemed to be weapons by the Gardai. Despite this provocation the protesters behaved in a very restrained manner through out the day.

The plan agreed at the steering committee was that if we had a critical number (>400) of protesters we would attempt to blockade both the main entrance and the route through the Industrial Estate. Given that the number on the day was about 300 we marched in one block to the main entrance, which the Gardai had closed with barricade. We then returned to the roundabouts leading to the industrial estates and the protesters split into two groups, one at each roundabout. At both there were sit-down protests. However, the overwhelming force of Gardai (Tim Hourican estimated about 700 in the airport and vicinity) managed to keep the various roads leading through the Industrial Estate open.

A letter of protest from the IAWM calling for the return of Shannon to purely civilian use was handed in to the Aer Rianta Director of Operations by protesters who had evaded the Gardai ‘guarding’ the airport.

After the blockade, the buses from Dublin and Cork stopped outside Limerick Prison for noisy ‘Free Fintan Lane’ protests.

Up-coming IAWM events

Thurs. 11 December Public Meeting
IRAQ - The Reality of the Occupation

Organised by Drumcondra and Phibsborough Anti-War groups

Speakers:

Ibrahim Al Kaddo and Kieran Allen (IAWM)

Ibrahim will give a report from his contacts who are now in Baghdad. http://irishantiwar.org/calendar/item.tcl?calendar_id=599

8 pm The Snug Pub, Dorset Street, Dublin 1

Other up-coming events

Sat. 13 December iBby Ireland Conference
Fighting for Writing – Children’s Book in Areas of Conflict

International Board for Books for Young People Ireland (iBby) is holding a conference on bringing books and stories to children in conflict situations. Speakers include Mary Robinson, Jehan Helou (Ramallah, Palestine), Tom Hyland (East Timor SC). Location Marino Institute of Education, Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9. More details from Máire at maire@irelandliterature.com or IBBY, c/o ILE, Irish Writers’ Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1

10 Dec - 08 Feb. 04 The House of Osama Bin Laden at IMMA

An exhibition featuring an interactive digital model allowing a virtual exploration of the former home of Osama bin Laden opens to the public at the Irish Museum of Modern Art on Wednesday 10 December 2003. Further information on http://www.modernart.ie/News/WhatsOn.asp?id=1095

Open daily at Irish Museum of Modern Art, Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin 8

The bulletin would like to hear people’s reaction to this exhibition. Please send your comments to info@irishantiwar.org.

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Comments (7 of 7)

Clarification

Sat Dec 13, 2003 14:21

Just to clarify: this bulletin, composed by Colm Stephens of the IAWM, was sent by e-mail to IAWM members/affiliates. It is submitted here by a member of the Cork Anti-War Campaign, as we believe all IAWM bulletins should be published both on the IAWM website and on Indymedia.

may be of interest to ye.

by io

Sat Dec 13, 2003 14:36

Today in Rome, there will be an unusual demonstration "in support" of the Iraqi resistance.
It is curious, for many reasons, and is described by the organisers at http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2003/12/282793.html

I think (personally speaking and musing) that Italian public opinion is approaching a very difficult moment. Burlosconi _is_ reacting as a right wing Italian nationalist. Well that's predictable, but many ordinary people feel _very uncomfortable_ that in the dorm of the Italian Policemen who were killed just a short a while ago, a Fascist era Italian flag took pride of place on the wall.
you may see the photo at:
http://www.pseirc.net/nassiriya.jpg
you may read ample comments (100 of them) and go through the links at
http://italy.indymedia.org/news/2003/11/432750_comment.php#442530

and see the Italian Ministry of Defence as well:
http://www.difesa.it/ministro/rassegna/2003/dicembre/031203/50ptq.pdf

White space

by lurkalot

Sat Dec 13, 2003 14:40

Next time you are publishing your bulletin, maybe you could take out some of the 'returns' to make it easier to look at.

300? More like 400!

by Suspicious

Sat Dec 13, 2003 16:24

Usually, it's the cops and the media that understate the attendance. This time it's the IAWM. 300 at Shannon! Wrong – there were 400.

Magic numbers game

by IAWM-Watcher

Sat Dec 13, 2003 21:14

It was always clear that the critical number to blockade would be EXACTLY 100 MORE than the Gardai estimated, thus ensuring an actual effective blockade could never happen.
How much the Gardai pay for this type of co-operation is the only number which remains a mystery - would someone care to enlighten us?

can't do that yet.

by someone

Sat Dec 13, 2003 23:52

it's a really complex business you know, there still isn't a centralised mechanism for ensuring that 100 more protesters than Gardaí estimated actually get there, oh sure over here in the continent it can be very difficult @ times, stopping people going to a protest just after they've left the house with their little flag and banner, and mask drawn down over the cute little face. But it is something we someones have to do on occasion. Oh, yes this sinister manipulation goes on all the time.
"we have too many protesters on site, you'll have to go back".
or alternatively so as not to lose credibility by being unbearably biased:
"we don't have enough Gardaí on site, you'll have to wait a while before protesting".

Hey you lied

by Drbinoche

Sun Dec 14, 2003 13:41

Hey you guys lied to me. I thought you were all upholders of truth and all, but you guys lied. You said Saddam would never be caught. You said the war in Iraq was never gonna end. You said the Iraqi people would welcome Saddam back rather than the US. But yet Mr. Hussein got arrested today and he is now in US custody. The Iraqi people have been celebrating openly. He is talking openly with is captors, and while I do not doubt that the attacks are gonna continue, at least we got the fucker.

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IAWM Bulletin: 10 December 2003

Comments (7 of 7)