Wednesday, June 09, 2004
June 30th Protests
The supposed transfer of authority in occupied Iraq on June 30 is fast approaching. It is already clear that this will be a farce.
First, those politicians to whom power is supposed to be transferred have no mandate at all from the Iraqi people. They have, in fact, been hand-picked by the Anglo-American occupiers.
Second, the Prime Minister chosen by Washington is a long-standing CIA agent.
Third, and most important, the USA (and Britain) will retain effective power in Iraq even after the "hand-over". The US military will remain answerable to no-one, and the new Iraqi authorities will lack proper power over security, legislation and finance.
The Stop the War Coalition continues to demand a full military withdrawal from Iraq and the transfer of real sovereignty to those who genuinely represent the Iraqi people.
We therefore believe there should be a day of action in Britain on June 30 by the anti-war movement, to protest at this undemocratic farce. We would like to see symbolic protests in every community in support of the following demands:
- End to the occupation
- Iraq for the Iraqis
- Bring the troops home now
Where possible, these should be evening protests, to coincide with the actual "transfer" at midnight in Iraq, which is 9pm o'clock here.
In London, the Coalition will be organising a protest in Parliament Square from 6pm to 9pm.
Leaflets and posters will be available from the office.
Stop the War Coalition.
The supposed transfer of authority in occupied Iraq on June 30 is fast approaching. It is already clear that this will be a farce.
First, those politicians to whom power is supposed to be transferred have no mandate at all from the Iraqi people. They have, in fact, been hand-picked by the Anglo-American occupiers.
Second, the Prime Minister chosen by Washington is a long-standing CIA agent.
Third, and most important, the USA (and Britain) will retain effective power in Iraq even after the "hand-over". The US military will remain answerable to no-one, and the new Iraqi authorities will lack proper power over security, legislation and finance.
The Stop the War Coalition continues to demand a full military withdrawal from Iraq and the transfer of real sovereignty to those who genuinely represent the Iraqi people.
We therefore believe there should be a day of action in Britain on June 30 by the anti-war movement, to protest at this undemocratic farce. We would like to see symbolic protests in every community in support of the following demands:
- End to the occupation
- Iraq for the Iraqis
- Bring the troops home now
Where possible, these should be evening protests, to coincide with the actual "transfer" at midnight in Iraq, which is 9pm o'clock here.
In London, the Coalition will be organising a protest in Parliament Square from 6pm to 9pm.
Leaflets and posters will be available from the office.
Stop the War Coalition.
