Is the so-called transfer of sovereignty of Iraq, finally justice for the people of Iraq ?
T O D A Y T O D A Y T O D A Y T O D A Y T O D A Y T O D A Y
On June 30th., the U.S. will hand over “sovereignty” to a so-called Iraqi Interim Government (I.I.G.). The U.S. and the U.K. will no doubt claim that this is the end of the occupation. In reality it is nothing of the kind:
· The US will control the bulk of Iraq’s capital budget and the management of its oil resources.
· The US/UK military occupation of Iraq will continue and the US will remain in control of the Iraqi army.
· The I.I.G. will be a selected – not elected body with no democratic mandate. The deadline for the first election is not until 2005, if it does happen.
· The I.I.G. is prohibited from altering any laws that the US has passed during its occupation.
· The US is creating a new secret police force for Iraq which, the Pentagon and the CIA have told the White House, will “allow America to maintain control over the direction of the country. (Sunday Telegraph 4th. Jan)
· The US control will simply be moving to an “embassy” with about 1,000 US and 700 foreign employees (NYT, 28th.April) where “most power will reside” (AP, 21st.March)
Compensation
Iraq was forced to pay massive reparation for its invasion of Kuwait in 1991. The coalition forces should similarly pay appropriate compensation to the Iraqi people for the damage and loss of life incurred in the coalition invasion when the reasons for that invasion have been proved unjustified..
Pollution
Iraq has been wilfully polluted by thousands of tonnes of deadly uranium used mainly by the US forces and by cluster bombs, which continue to maim and kill. The coalition countries should be responsible for a total clean-up in proportion to their separate responsibility for this environmental damage..
But there is no promise of any real justice for the people of Iraq
T O D A Y T O D A Y T O D A Y T O D A Y T O D A Y
Join the rally of protest in Cornmarket, Oxford at 6pm on 28 JUNE.
T O D A Y T O D A Y T O D A Y T O D A Y T O D A Y
Oxford Network for Global Justice and Peace
Comments
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Yanks out
28.06.2004 13:19
Nye
THE HANDOVER IS A SHAM
28.06.2004 13:28
The Iraqis have all been hand-picked by the Americans.
The new Prime Minister of Iraq has been on the payroll of the CIA and is a former Ba'athist.
Tbe military, economy, borders etc. will all still be under foreign control.
Oil revenue will be controlled by a commission which is made up of 90% non-Iraqi's, the only Iraqi on the commission is a stooge handpicked by Paul Bremer.
Shortly before the "hand-over" the Coalition Authority suddenly spent in excess of $2 billion of this revenue.
The new American "commander-in-chief" is John Negroponte, who as US Ambassador to Honduras oversaw death-squads in Central America in the '80s - AND THIS WAS A MAN THEY CHOSE AFTER MUCH THOUGHT!
The position of the Stop the War Coalition and the majority of Iraqis is that the conditions for democratic elections exist NOW.
In the words of a slogan chanted by thousands of Iraqis in demonstrations over the last year -
"REAL DEMOCRACY MEANS REAL ELECTIONS!"
Adam Johannes
Elections?
28.06.2004 19:14
The longer they are put off the more we can all accuse the US of not wanting to give up power and being evil and all. Surley however you can not, after reading the headlines day in and day out claim conditions for a fair election have been met?
How many polling stations would be attacked? how many voters would be afraid to attend the lightly defended stations anyway? How many would be FORCED to vote for a candidate by militia?
The nation, whilst badly needing it - is not ready for elections, not by a long shot.
It's a less than ideal situation, but then - that is no secret - is it?
karic
Democracy Is Whatever We Say It Is
29.06.2004 16:35
Whereas we all know that allies like Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are part of the democratic world, and when was the last time they had elections?
You lefties need to grasp that democracy and freedom can't be pinned down to specifics like voting or not being shot. They are eternal, transcendental qualities that can only be understood clearly by right-thinking patriots.
Conman-tator