Leaked secret Government reports show that hiding Tony Blair's lies meant some troops were sent to Iraq with only five bullets each. The supply chain was such a farce that one container was sent full of skis to use in the desert. Some troops who were deployed to Iraq by civilian airlines took their equipment as hand luggage and had their weapons confiscated by airport security. By Robin Beste Stop the War Coalition 22 November 2009
The Iraq inquiry, chaired by Sir John Chilcot, begins its public hearings on Tuesday 24 November. Whether it turns out to be the whitewash clearly intended by Gordon Brown’s choice of the inquiry's committee members will be determined by how it deals with the latest revelations of secret Government reports, leaked to the Telegraph.
The price paid for Tony Blair's lies.
The reports show beyond dispute that Tony Blair had decided as early as February 2002 that Britain would join George Bush in waging an illegal war on Iraq, which began a year later in March 2003.
Despite this decision having been taken, throughout 2002 and up to the invasion, Blair lied repeatedly to MPs and the public, claiming that Britain’s objective was "disarmament, not regime change" and that there had been no planning for military action.
Because the lies had to be concealed from Parliament, only a tiny number of officials were involved in the planning process for war.
The result, say the Government reports, was a "rushed operation" "lacking in coherence and resources" which caused "significant risk" to troops.
Operations were so under-resourced that some troops went into action with only five bullets each. Others had to deploy to war on civilian airlines, taking their equipment as hand luggage. Some troops had weapons confiscated by airport security.
Skis in the desert
One army commander described the supply chain as "absolutely appalling", saying: "I know for a fact that there was one container full of skis in the desert."
The reports describe the war itself as a "significant military success" but only because the British forces faced a "third-rate army," adding that "a more capable enemy would probably have punished these shortcomings severely."
It was Blair’s lies and concealment that explain the almost complete absence of contingency planning once the military operations were completed. British forces were so "ill-prepared and equipped to deal with the problems in the first 100 days" that they could not safeguard Iraqi civilians.
Military commanders are expected to tell the inquiry that this was because preparations were sabotaged by Blair's government in its attempts to mislead the public. They believe members of the British and US governments at the time could be prosecuted for war crimes, for breaching the duty of occupying armies, as stated in the Geneva convention, to safeguard civilians in a conflict.
These secret Government reports show why Gordon Brown initially intended that the Iraq Inquiry should be held in private.
When he was forced by public uproar to make the inquiry public -- albeit with the inquiry chairman’s discretion as to how much -- Brown then chose a committee for the inquiry which was clearly aimed at exonerating the warmongers. On the evidence of these leaked reports, Tony Blair is incriminated in war crimes that have left hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and 179 British soldiers dead.
Sir John Chilcot was apparently shocked by the unanimity of the military families who lost loved ones in the the Iraq war and who, in giving evidence to the inquiry, insisted there should be no "whitewash" and that if the accusation of war crimes is proven then Tony Blair must be held to account, as must others in the government at the time who knew the scale of the lying Blair was using to justify an illegal war.
That said, Stop the War is not holding its breath as to the outcome the inquiry.
STOP THE WAR COALITION NEWSLETTER No. 1126 17 November 2009 Email office@stopwar.org.uk Tel: 020 7801 2768 Web: http://.stopwar.org.uk Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
IN THIS NEWSLETTER 1) BRING THEM HOME BY CHRISTMAS 2) PROTESTS, VIGILS WHEN 100th SOLDIER KILLED IN 2009 3) BRING THE TROOPS HOME POSTCARD 4) CALLING ALL STUDENTS IN LONDON 5) MILITARY FAMILIES GO TO DOWNING STREET 6) DEFEND L/CPL JOE GLENTON - LET SOLDIERS SPEAK 7) STOP THE WAR AT CHRISTMAS
******************************* 1) BRING THEM HOME BY CHRISTMAS
It is a sign of the strength of anti war opinion in Britain that Gordon Brown has been forced to say that he is thinking about an 'exit strategy' from Afghanistan.
Unfortunately, instead of announcing a date for withdrawal of British troops -- in line with majority public opinion in this country - his vague remarks smack more of a pre election manoeuvre than of a serious change in policy.
Brown's speech at the Lord Mayor's banquet last night reflects the political divisions in the US and Britain over the war, and the realisation that the antiwar movement is growing as calls increase for the troops to come home. Brown's claim that the war is helping to defeat al Qaeda is also disingenuous.
The killings of al Qaeda leaders have been carried out by the CIA in Pakistan. They are not the result of the war in Afghanistan.
We are almost at the tragic figure of 100 British soldiers killed in Afghanistan in this year alone. Thousands of Afghans have died. The only commitment worth anything from Gordon Brown is to get the troops out by Christmas.
******************************* 2) PROTESTS, VIGILS WHEN 100th SOLDIER KILLED IN 2009
Local groups of the Stop the War Coalition are organising protests, vigils and namings of the dead on the day that the 100th soldier this year dies. The figure currently stands at 97. Check the website for your local contacts.
******************************* 3) BRING THE TROOPS HOME POSTCARD
Stop the War has produced Bring the Troops Home postcards for sending to your local MP. To order call 020 7801 2768.
******************************* 4) CALLING ALL STUDENTS IN LONDON
Students across London are organising a DIE-IN protest calling for the troops to be withdrawn from Afghanistan at Parliament Square on Wednesday 25 November at 1.30pm. For more details contact Stewart: stewart@stopwar.org.uk or call 020 7801 2768.
******************************* 5) MILITARY FAMILIES GO TO DOWNING STREET
Military families and veterans are going to Downing Street at 5pm on Monday 21 December to demand to see Gordon Brown and hand in the Bring the Troops Home petition. They would like to see as many people as possible join them to show support.
Two family members who have lost loved ones in the war have asked us to send out this invitation to all Stop the War supporters.
MESSAGE FROM GRAEME KNIGHT AND JOAN HUMPHRIES Graeme Knight is the father of Sergeant Ben Knight who died in Afghanistan in 2004 Joan Humphries is the grandmother of Private Kevin Elliott who died on foot patrol in Afghanistan 2009.
"We have suffered terrible personal loss in this war in Afghanistan and we don't want one more family to go through the same pain. Everyone knows now this is a pointless war, deeply unpopular in Britain and Afghanistan. Young lives are being sacrificed so that politicians can save face.
"Britain is slavishly supporting the US just to keep up the so-called special relationship. Meanwhile the death toll is mounting. It is high time the troops came home.
"We are going to Downing Street with other Families who have loved ones or have lost loved ones in Afghanistan and ex soldiers on Monday 21 December. We will be demanding to see Gordon Brown and give him a petition signed by tens of thousands calling for the troops to be brought home . Candles will be lit for those who have died.
"Please join us at Downing Street if you can and publicise 21 December as widely as possible."
******************************* 6) DEFEND L/CPL JOE GLENTON - LET SOLDIERS SPEAK
Lance Corporal Joe Glenton who is currently in prison for speaking out against the war in Afghanistan faces a hearing tomorrow morning at 10pm. Join the protest to support him 9.45 am, The Official Solicitors' Office, 81 Chancery Lane WC2A 1DD
Messages of support for Joe are pouring in. You can see a selection here: http://bit.ly/7AhDN
Send your message to: defendjoeglenton@gmail.com
******************************* 7) STOP THE WAR AT CHRISTMAS
Stop the war is offering some Christmas gift ideas to help fund the campaign to get the troops home. We have Afghan slipper socks for only £9 plus postage and packing. Plus a special offer of the illustrated history of the Stop the War Coalition for just £5 plus postage.
Messages of support are pouring in for Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, who has been arrested for refusing to return to Afghanistan, leading an anti-war demonstration in London on 24 October 2009 and speaking to the media in defiance of orders. The charges carry a maximum of ten years imprisonment. 14 November 2009
Send your message of support to defendjoeglenton@gmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Selection of messages of support for Joe Glenton
Malalai Joya, Afghan MP, often called "the bravest women in Afghanistan": Dear Joe, Stay strong! The majority of the Afghan people are with you and we respect and admire the stand you have taken. When there is no justice, it is better for honest people to go even to jail rather than go to war. Down with the occupation. I send you my warmest greetings and solidarity.
Caroline Lucas MEP, leader of the Green Party: Dear Lance Corporal Glenton, I would like to express my admiration for your decision to take a courageous and principled stand against the war in Afghanistan. You have the support of the many people in the UK and abroad who passionately oppose this ongoing conflict, which increasingly appears unwinnable. I hope your heroic resistance to the reckless and misguided foreign policy played out in Afghanistan will increase the pressure on the UK Government to accelerate an exit strategy and withdraw our troops.
12 November 2009: Demonstration in support of Joe Glenton, Ministry of Defence, Whitehall, London
Gareth Hill: Only one in 5 people in this country believe that the war in Afghanistan is just and is about defending our freedom and successfully protecting us from terrorism. Your moral stand against the war is both heroic and reflects the views of our entire country.
Dr Douglas Reid: Chin up, Joe! Good for you! You are one of a long line of British people who have followed their consciences and sooner or later changed government policy.
Joe Jenkins: There are literally millions of people who approve of what you are doing. The military-industrial complex will try all it can to dishearten you and dishonour what you’re trying to achieve. Your courageous action is an inspiration.
B. Ormondroyd: Full support for Joe. l served in the RAF - to defend Britain, not to invade other countries on questionable grounds.
Lisa Anning: I've the utmost admiration for the stand you're taking, and for the part you're playing in galvanising public opinion against this awful war. I come from a military family myself, and can fully understand the gravity of your decision to defy orders. But I believe there's a huge latent groundswell of public opinion in this country against endlessly continuing this futile campaign, which is wrecking so many families and taking so many young lives. We need figureheads like yourself to act as a public focus for that opposition, to help mobilise and articulate protest to the powers that be. I wish you every success, and hope common sense will prevail. Your efforts aren't in vain and you should be proud of what you've achieved.
Kay: I and everyone I know, plus the majority of the country, support you and your decision not to risk your life by returning to the futile, pointless and horrific war in Afghanistan. We all admire your courage and your principles. If only other young soldiers took your stand, this war would come to an end and there would be no more wasted young lives. Why shouldn't you speak out and follow your principles? Good luck to you! I shall be following your progress and if there are any protest meetings I'll do my best to get there.
Peter Waterman: I had to do my compulsory military service some 50 years ago. Because of my left political background (of which I made no secret) I was confined to the rank of private and the function of truck-driving. Fortunately I was not required to take part in any war being waged by British military and political elites against any 'disobedient natives' or 'evil empires'. If I had been, I am not sure I would have had the courage you have shown. In the conflict between duty and truth, you have chosen the right one: truth trumps obedience or we are on our way to 1984. It may be a long and lonely struggle, mate. But my guess is that a lot of good people are going to support you.
Sharmila Sengupta and Ela Sengupta: We support you,with all our hearts. We want to do all we possibly can for you. You are a true soldier,one who fights for peace and justice. Try and hang in there. It must be hard,awfully hard, but you will come out the other side. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Robin Carvell: You've stood up when so many others have not. Your actions are admirable and I believe you are a soldier in the truest sence as you are fighting now, without a gun, in order to bring peace and safety. Your involvement in the information war is of great value. I support you in your actions and want you to know that many others do too. Please remember this if times get hard. You're grasping the nettle for all of us here and those in Iraq and Afganistan - for millions. If there's a heaven, this action would surely let you in.
Dr. Beata Binkowska: I'm fully supporting your fight against the war and your rights to refuse to be forced to go to war in Afghanistan! I also appealed to some of my colleagues in Gateng Health Department to support your plea! Here in Africa,now, we also urgently need to create awareness campaign against war criminals who benefit from selling death all over the world and create never ending areas of conflict and killing fields! This mass murder called war, must stop! With my great respect for your courage and determination.
Anne & Richard Watson: We think it is appalling that you have been arrested simply for telling the truth and refusing to fight in Afghanistan. This is an absolute travesty of democracy and we are protesting to the Ministry of Defence and anyone else we can think of. We heard you speak at Trafalgar Square and consider you to be a very brave man. If only there were more like you. Stay strong.
Stephen Watson: Years ago I read a quote which said "War will end only when men refuse to fight" and it has always remained with me. I admire your decision enormously and I wish you the very best in helping our government, and others, to see sense where there seem to be none at present. I believe that the invasion of Iraq was cooked up under a false pretext, as was Afghanistan and it is clear with all the talk around Iran and their 'nuclear programme' (despite no evidence) is sounding eerily familiar. The world is hurting enough from the way we currently live our lives and the one thing humanity does not need are more wars to pile on the agony.
Ghada Razuki: I heard you speak on the demo on the 24th October and thought that you were brilliant. It takes a brave person to speak out and go against the main stream but I want you to know that there are many people like me who really appreciate the sacrifice that you have made so that hopefully others do not have to die or be brutally injured whether British Soldiers or Afghanis. If sometimes you feel alone in your cell please don't as we are all thinking of you and Clare.
Ghazala: I would just like to express my admiration to you for making a stand against the war. Keep up the good work, you truly are a man of bravery. I shall hope and pray for your wellbeing.
Andree Duguy: I admire you for standing for what you believe is right regardless of the consequences. I fully support your actions and wish that more sloldiers felt like you. Blair and Brown are criminals and should be tried for their crimes. They should be the ones to go to prison and not you. How can Brown and the likes of him still support a war which cannot be won and is unjust. soldiers as well as civilians die everyday for no reason so that supposedly we in Britain feel more secure . How can we be so arrogant and attack a country which has done nothing to us.
Gerry Poole, co-chair Merseyside CND: Well done Joe, a soldier has the right to speak out against actions which he finds repugnant and not glibly obey orders. At Nuremberg the Nazis stated they were only obeying orders when charged with war crimes, but they were still sentenced.Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your other comrades who are opposed to this debacle in Afghanistan.
Kev White: It's a lot eaisier to go with the flow than what it is to do the right thing. Total respect to yourself, Ben Griffin, and others who have had the courage to say no. Anything I can do to help, let me know.
Annette Lillig: I salute you for your courage to do what many would like to do. That's why they prosecute you, but others will follow you. One day you'll be a national hero, so, chin up! This mess will not go on for ever. With love and prayers.
Richard Jones & Kath Eilbeck: Take heart - you have spoken out for all of us. Let us know what we can do to help.
Alun Llewelyn: I was on the Stop the War march last month and I was proud the be led by a soldier that is prepared to stand up and say what I believe many of the troops in Afghanistan and in Britain think. It is the only way this government will be forced to abandon their role in that country if the soldiers will support your brave stance.
Fabrizio: I would just like to express my admiration for your courage to stand up against the government and all its institutions. In my opinion speaking out at a time like this despite all opposition is truly a courageous act standing up for justice which few, in the view of being singled out, are able to do. I think that your opposition to the occupation of afghanistan has won the anti war movement many supporters who were before either easily manipulated by the government and the media or just afraid of stepping out from the flock. Your opposition to war is a giant step towards ending these wars of aggression and ultimately, for democracy.
Hasina Khan: You are a true hero for standing up for what you and we believe in and you are much cherished by all those who oppose brutality and wish for peace, justice and equality. Peace and respect.
Eric Westacott, Ret. Lance Corp. 43/1st Swiss Army Medical Corp: Joe, myself and my family send you our full support in what actions you are taking. It is a crime what the military and governemnt is doing to you and your fellow soldiers. One day soon you will be free again, until then try to stay calm and relaxed and find ways to fill your time with good thoughts also towards those who make you suffer. Imagine yourself free and walking away and you will very soon.
Paula Clare Yates: You are a great inspiration to everyone for protesting and speaking out against the futile war in Afganistan which most people now believe is increasing terrorism.
David McQueen: I'm really sorry to hear about your arrest. The best way we can honour our dead is to not fight any more wars, especially unwinnable wars. Like the US soldiers who protested against Vietnam you are being punished for speaking the truth, but like them your struggle will be remembered as the most courageous stand in the face of a military machine that can't understand that it will never conquer Afghanistan.
Dan Viesnik: I just wanted to express to you, Joe, my admiration for your incredibly brave stand against the war in Afghanistan and the establishment and to wish you all the very best. I think it is fair to say that peace activists all around the world are with you all the way.
How to support Lance Corporal Joe Glenton
Email: Secretary of State for Defence Bob Ainsworth: defencesecretary@mod.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or ainsworthr@parliament.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Write: Secretary of State for Defence, Floor 5, Main Building, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2HB • FAX: 020 7218 6538 Petition: Download the Defend Joe Glenton petition... Messages of Support:defendjoeglenton@gmail.com
STOP THE WAR COALITION NEWSLETTER No. 1125 11 November 2009 Email office@stopwar.org.uk Tel: 020 7801 2768 Web: http://.stopwar.org.uk Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
IN THIS NEWSLETTER 1) ANTI-WAR SOLDIER ARRESTED: PROTEST NOW 2) MILITARY FAMILIES DELIVER PETITION TO GORDON BROWN
******************************* EMERGENCY PROTEST AT THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEFEND LANCE CORPORAL JOE GLENTON THURSDAY 12 NOVEMBER, 5PM MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, WHITEHALL (OPPOSITE DOWNING STREET) Facebook Event - Please circulate: http://bit.ly/2h9IOf
*******************************
1) ANTI-WAR SOLDIER ARRESTED: PROTEST NOW
Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, the soldier who faces desertion charges for refusing to return to Afghanistan, has been arrested and charged with five further offences for leading Stop the War's demonstration in London on 24 October and for expressing his opposition to the media in defiance of orders.
The new charges carry a maximum of ten years imprisonment in addition to the sentence of three to four years that Joe could get if the desertion charge is upheld.
Joe's mother, Sue Glenton, has spoken out against his arrest: "You've got government ministers, army commanders and MPs speaking every day in support of the war. What's so scary about a Lance Corporal having his say? My son is only speaking out for what he thinks is right."
Joe's arrest and imprisonment are signs of panic by the government and military commanders, faced with an ever growing majority of the British public opposing the war and an increasing number of prominent voices in the media calling for the withdrawal of British troops.
A poll published in the Independent shows that only one in five voters believes that Britain's military presence in Afghanistan is helping to protect the country from terrorism, as Gordon Brown insists. The same poll shows that 48 percent of voters think the war in Afghanistan increases the risk of domestic terrorist attack.
Stop the War has launched a campaign to defend Joe Glenton and his right to freedom of speech. (For updates see http://www.stopwar.org.uk.)
A protest has been called outside the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall on Thursday 12 November at 5pm and we list below what you can do to support the only serving soldier who has so far had the courage to stand up for what many in the army believe; that this is a futile and unwinnable war.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
* EMERGENCY PROTEST AT THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE If you live in London, please try to join the protest on Thursday 12 November, 5pm, at the Ministry of Defence, Whitehall (opposite Downing Street) FACEBOOK EVENT (Please circulate): http://bit.ly/2h9IOf
* WRITE TO DEFENCE SECRETARY BOB AINSWORTH EMAIL: defencesecretary@mod.uk or ainsworthr@parliament.uk WRITE: Secretary of State for Defence, Floor 5, Main Building, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2HB FAX: 020 7218 6538
* COLLECT PETITION SIGNATURES The Defend Joe Glenton petition can be downloaded here: http://bit.ly/10gDKb
* WRITE LETTERS OF SUPPORT TO JOE GLENTON Lance Corporal Joe Glenton Military Corrective Training Centre (MCTC) Berechurch Hall Camp Colchester Essex CO2 9NU
* EMAIL SUPPORT defendjoeglenton@gmail.com
******************************* 2) MILITARY FAMILIES DELIVER PETITION TO GORDON BROWN
On 21 December, Stop the War's Bring the Troops Home Now petition will be delivered to Gordon Brown at Downing Street by soldiers, ex-soldiers and military families.
More than 15,000 have already signed, but we want to get many more signatures before 21 December. You can sign online but we are also encouraging our supporters to download the petition and collect signatures among friends, work colleagues, fellow students, neighbours etc.
If you live in London, make a note of 21 December, as the soldiers, ex-soldiers and military families would welcome the widest support from the anti-war movement when they deliver the petition to Gordon Brown. (More details to follow soon.)
STOP THE WAR COALITION NEWSLETTER No. 1124 09 November 2009 Email office@stopwar.org.uk Tel: 020 7801 2768 Web: http://.stopwar.org.uk Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
The war effort in Afghanistan is starting to fall apart at the seams. We will shortly reach the hundredth British soldier's death this year, and there is talk in military circles of withdrawing British troops from the frontline.
There is growing opposition amongst MPs as well as unease amongst senior military figures. The Independent on Sunday called for the end of the war on its front page yesterday and other papers are becoming very critical of the war.
Most important of all, 73% of the population now believe the troops should be brought home soon and there is growing opposition to the war amongst the troops. Now is the time to step up the pressure on government to bring the troops home.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
-We have produced a 'Bring the Troops Home' postcard designed to send to your local MP. It is available from the office. Please phone if you want us to send you some.
-Stop the War groups will be organising protests and vigils around the country on the tragic day when the hundredth British soldier this year dies. The figure now stands at 95. Please contact your local Stop the War group for details. You can find the contact details for the groups on the website.
-On December 21st, members of soldiers, ex-soldiers and military families will be taking our Bring the Troops Home Petition to Gordon Brown in Downing Street. More than 15,000 have already signed, but we want to get many more signatures before December 21st. You can sign online at http://bit.ly/ft6BP, but we are also asking everyone to download a hard copy of the petition, get your colleagues and friends to sign and return to the office.
Also mark down the date December 21st, and get ready to come down and support the families at Downing Street that evening.
SPECIAL LONDON ACTIVIST MEETING ON AFGHANISTAN We have called an urgent activist meeting to discuss the crisis and the campaign tomorrow night (Tuesday 10th November). We are asking as many of our supporters as possible to attend.
SPECIAL MEETING 6PM TUESDAY 10TH NOVEMBER INDIAN YMCA, 41 FITZROY SQUARE W1T 6AQ NEAREST TUBE WARREN STREET.
They're not establishing democracy, they're establishing the basis for an economic occupation which will continue after the military occupation is ended.
Dr Dahlia Wasfi is an American doctor who campaigns for the the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of American troops and mercenaries from Iraq.
from Stop The War Coalition: On 4 November, five soldiers were killed by one or more Afghan policemen. 229 soldiers have now died since the 2001 invasion, 92 of them this year. Gordon Brown insists, "They fought to make Afghanistan more secure, but above all to make Britain safer from the terrorism and extremism which continues to threaten us." The truth is, they are dying in an unwinnable war which has no other purpose than to save the reputation of politicians like Brown, who slavishly follow the dictates of US foreign policy, even when it's obvious that the world's second poorest country is no threat whatever to British interests. The blood of these five soldiers is on the hands of Gordon Brown. How many more British soldiers and Afghan civilians will die before he is forced to accept the inevitable and bring all the troops home?
IN THIS NEWSLETTER: 1) RESPONDING TO THE AFGHAN ELECTION FARCE 2) LONDON STOP THE WAR ACTIVISTS' MEETING
*************************** 1) RESPONDING TO THE AFGHAN ELECTION FARCE
NATO's operation in Afghanistan has descended into farce. Gordon Brown and Barack Obama have both congratulated Hamid Karzai - a man they installed as Afghanistan's ruler in the first place - for winning an election they themselves have condemned as corrupt.
The result of this charade will be to further weaken support for the war here. The fact that there are now establishment voices arguing the war is pointless also strengthens the hand of those of us who want to bring the troops home altogether.
Following the excellent Bring The Troops Home demonstration ten days ago we need to use the weeks up to Christmas to put maximum pressure on the government.
We are asking all our supporters to do as many of the following as possible:
- PETITION: Get everyone you know to sign the Bring the Troops Home petition. We plan to hand it in very publicly to Gordon Brown in December, so we need the maximum possible number of signatures by then. You can sign it online (http://bit.ly/ft6BP) or download a copy (http://bit.ly/rNaTZ) and take it round your workmates, neighbours, friends etc.
- LOBBY YOUR MP: Lobby your MP and demand he or she does everything possible to end the occupation. Send a Bring the Troops Home postcard (available from the office) to your MP.
- ANNIVERSARY OF AFGHAN "LIBERATION": Join local protests on Bring the Troops Home day Friday 13th November - the anniversary of the so-called liberation of Afghanistan.
- MILITARY FAMILIES: If you have family connections with the military or know anyone who does and is against the war, please contact the Stop the War office. More and more military families are getting in touch. As Michael Clarke, Director of the Royal United Services Institute is quoted as saying in Today's Guardian 'The cynicism that eventually corroded the morale of US forces in Vietnam is a spectre that is beginning to haunt the whole Afghanistan enterprise'.
5) DONATE: Donate to the Bring the Troops Home appeal. In order to maintain a high profile campaign, the Stop the War Coalition we need money, for leaflets and postcards, for office and transport costs.
HOW TO DONATE: * Online: http://bit.ly/APlKX ; * By credit / debit card: Phone 020 7801 2768 * By cheque: Made out to 'Stop the War Coalition' and sent to: Stop the War Coalition 231 Vauxhall Bridge Road London SW1V 1EH
*************************** 2) LONDON ACTIVISTS' MEETING: OPEN ALL
If you are based in or near London, a Stop the War activists meeting has been organised for Tuesday 10 November at the Indian YMCA 41, Fitzroy Square London W1T 6AQ. Nearest tube Warren Street.
The meeting will give us a chance to assess the situation in Afghanistan, brainstorm about the campaign to bring the troops home and protest ideas in the run up to Christmas and to exchange ideas about strengthening the local groups. We are keen to make sure we get newer activists along to the meeting to get them fully involved.
Posts
