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| Iraq |
| Human shield Britons quit Baghdad |
| 2003-03-01 |
| Almost all of the first British "human shields" to go to Iraq were on their way home last night after deciding that their much-heralded task was now too dangerous. Two red double-decker buses, which symbolised the hopes of anti-war activists when they arrived to a fanfare of publicity a fortnight ago, slipped quietly out of Baghdad on the long journey back to Britain. Isn't it hard to walk with your tail between your legs that way? Nine of the original 11 activists decided to pull out after being given an ultimatum by Iraqi officials to station themselves at targets likely to be bombed in a war or leave the country. Among those departing last night was 68-year-old Godfrey Meynell, a former High Sheriff of Derbyshire, who admitted that he was leaving out of "cold fear". He had been summoned, along with 200 other shields from all over the world, to a meeting at a Baghdad hotel yesterday morning. Abdul Hashimi, the head of the Friendship, Peace and Solidarity organisation that is hosting the protesters, told the shields to choose between nine so-called "strategic sites" by today or quit the country. "Yeah. You guys are human shields. Shield something." The Iraqi warning follows frustration among Saddam Hussein's officials that only about 65 of the shields had so far agreed to take up positions at the oil refineries, power plants and water-purification sites selected by their hosts. It heightened fears among some peace activists that they could be stationed at non-civilian sites. Mr Meynell and fellow protesters who moved into the power station in south Baghdad last weekend were dismayed to find it stood immediately next to an army base and the strategically crucial main road south to Basra. And they were so-o-o-o-o surprised. Iraqi officials said there was little point in guarding what they considered to be low-risk targets. "A high-risk target? We could get killed... Uh. Oh, yeah. Iraq's decision to force the pace was welcomed by some of the 20 Britons remaining in Baghdad. "It's only fair," said Uzma Bashir, 32, a college lecturer who is one of the team leaders. "We've come here as shields to defend sites and now the Iraqis are asking us to make our choice." Have a nice time. Remember to wave to the A10 pilots. They like that... |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #8 AWW, First we have to accept any democratic voting, it is really shamefull to see some readers here acting so arrogant thinking that democracy doesn’t exist outside the US. Secondly Bush is not a tactful politician as he has not the succes and simpathy of Clinton outside the US, I don’t know how it is inside the US. He set of a lot of angry blood in Turkey calling the Turkish call for compensation of the damage the US brings with every war she starts in the middle east a horsetrading and randsom, all the blackmailing with threathening to establish a Kurdistan was the other dimension. One can see this as an answer to Bush from the Turkish parliament: stick your so called randsom right up in your ….., and stop making us sick with all your blackmailing. regards, |
| Posted by: Murat 2003-03-02 10:58:23 |
| #7 The Iraqi warning follows frustration among Saddam Hussein's officials that only about 65 of the shields had so far agreed to take up positions at the oil refineries, power plants and water-purification sites selected by their hosts. It heightened fears among some peace activists that they could be stationed at non-civilian sites. Well surprise, surprise. Apparently, they just figured out that what is likely to be attacked aren't civilians. People have been saying this all along, and these dumbasses weren't listening. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2003-03-02 04:06:42 |
| #6 Goes to show that these frickin' morons simply do not get it. They acually believed that Sammy would "see the light" simply because they rode in on their Magic Bus. I say don't let em back in - they made their choice and they should be made to abide by it as it was decided on freely. It's tough to watch someone die due their own stupidity , but that's nature work. Good luck, morons. |
| Posted by: Rex Mundi 2003-03-02 01:20:32 |
| #5 I can see how this would seem like fun. Hop on a bus, tour across Europe and wind your way down to someplace exotic. Of course that's until you realize that this might actually result in your demise. That's such a buzz kill. |
| Posted by: Matt Miller 2003-03-01 23:04:22 |
| #4 Let's have a good dose of public ridicule to balance the romanticized fluff interviews they all gave before they left for Baghdad. My only regret is that they left alive..I was hoping for a little chlorine in the gene pool, Darwin-style. |
| Posted by: Frank G 2003-03-01 21:13:09 |
| #3 Give them a friendly salute. After all that was the fastest way to get a Iraqi visa and take a look at Baghdad without much hindrance. If no one says thank you, Langley will. |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2003-03-01 20:46:46 |
| #2 You mean their deeply held beliefs might actually cost them? But their conviction is so sincere! Welcome to the real world, asswipes! |
| Posted by: Fleck 2003-03-01 20:25:07 |
| #1 In this case I have to side with the Iraqi officials. I mean, it's like buying a condom with a hole in it: if it doesn't protect anything, what use is it? So long suckers... |
| Posted by: RW 2003-03-01 19:45:33 |