Kabul conference shows the war at an impasse

STOP THE WAR COALITION
20 July 2010
Email office@stopwar.org.uk
Tel: 020 7801 2768
Web: http://stopwar.org.uk
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk

1. KABUL CONFERENCE SHOWS THE WAR AT AN IMPASSE
2. 'AFGHANISTAN:TIME TO GO'. PUBLIC MEETING MONDAY 26TH JULY








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1. KABUL CONFERENCE SHOWS THE WAR AT AN IMPASSE

The Kabul conference discussing the war in Afghanistan has only served to
demonstrate the impasse which the war has now reached. Even the US
administration has conceded that talks with the Taliban – so far resisted by
Obama - are going to happen. The recognition that the war is losing contradicts
the statements, still reiterated by foreign secretary William Hague, that there
is a gradual improvement in the situation in Afghanistan.

The much-touted date for withdrawal in 2014 shows the desperation of the Nato
governments, faced with defeat in Afghanistan and growing unpopularity of the
war domestically. The fact that they are talking about a withdrawal date
reflects the growing costs of the war, in human life and in billions of
dollars. The death rate of British soldiers now stands at similar levels to
those of Russian soldiers just before their withdrawal 20 years ago. The death
rate of Afghans has increased over the past year. The Afghan army, supposedly
being trained to take over the war from the Nato forces, has a 25% desertion
rate.

But the conference today answers nothing. Why is fighting continuing in Helmand
and the south when a likely outcome of negotiations to end the war will be to
hand over that area to the Taliban? How can western governments claim the war
is about human rights when it backs a government ranking among the most corrupt
in the world? Why are these same governments ignoring public opinion, which is
for rapid withdrawal of troops and an end to the war?

The role of the British government in this war has been shameful, from John
Reid’s claim four years ago that the troops might be able to leave Helmand
without a shot being fired in anger, to Hague’s current increasingly
desperate justifications for the war.

How many more people will die before the proposed withdrawal date? How many
billions will be spent on an unjustifiable war while the welfare state is
slashed by the Coalition government. And which government minister will have to
tell the families of the dead what exactly they were fighting for?

We are asking all our supporters to redouble their efforts campaigning to bring
the troops home. Now is a moment when the movement can really make a
difference. Our timetable for withdrawal starts now, with campaigning in every
locality, involving military families, trade unions, school students and
students, faith groups and anti war campaigners. We are aiming for a big
national demonstration to coincide with the next Nato summit on November 20th
saying it’s time to go –bring the troops home.
Please start spreading the word about the demonstration – leaflets will be
available on Monday and get in touch with your local group or check the website
for local activities.

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2. 'AFGHANISTAN:TIME TO GO'. PUBLIC MEETING MONDAY 26TH JULY

7pm, Monday, 26th July
Conway Hall
25 Red Lion Square
London, WC1R 4RL

Joe Glenton, jailed for refusing to fight in Afghanistan, speaks out against
the war. With Caroline Lucas, Jeremy Corbyn and Mark Steel.

The war in Afghanistan is in crisis. The strategy is crumbling, with Obama's
sacking of General McChrystal and an increasingly corrupt Karzai government.
The violence is intensifying with No clear goals and even fewer results.
ThousandS of Afghan civilians are dying every year and very little rebuilding
is being done. Despite the 77% of people being opposed to Britain's
involvement in Afghanistan, this government continues to send troops to kill
and die in a war that is being lost.

This war is wrong, this war has failed and it's Time To Go--

Stop Islamophobia Conference: Book Now‏

STOP THE WAR COALITION 
NEWSLETTER No. 1154  
21 May 2010  
Email office@stopwar.org.uk  
Tel: 020 7801 2768 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              020 7801 2768      end_of_the_skype_highlighting  
Web: http://stopwar.org.uk  
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk

IN THIS NEWSLETTER:  
1) STOP ISLAMOPHOBIA CONFERENCE - BOOK NOW  
2) STOP THE WAR APPEAL - PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY  
3) DEMOCRACY VILLAGE UNDER ATTACK

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1) STOP ISLAMOPHOBIA CONFERENCE - BOOK NOW

This conference is a crucial, long overdue event. Attacks on  
the Muslim community are at an all time high. The newspapers  
are full of abuse against Muslims. Physical attacks are  
rising. Muslim demonstrators are being sent to prison. The  
election of a right wing government will only mean more  
anti-Muslim policies while in Europe governments are lining up 
to ban the Burqa and impose restrictions on the Hijab.

The aim is to bring together all the organisations and 
individuals who want to stop the spread of the Islamophobic  
poison. The conference has been backed by Unite the Union, the 
NUJ, CND and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, a number of  
Mosques, Friends of al Aqsa, the Muslim Safety Forum, the  
Islamic Forum of Europe and many other organisations.

Speakers include Moazzam Begg, Daud Abdullah, Salma Yaqoob,  
Peter Oborne, Lindsey German, Imran Khan, Seumas Milne and  
many more.

Please book now and spread the word. Tickets are available  
here: http://bit.ly/al64ru

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2) STOP THE WAR APPEAL - PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY
 
Stop the War Coalition needs your support.  We have launched  
an appeal for £10,000 for our two most urgent initiatives -  
the Troops Out of Afghanistan tour and the conference to Stop 
Islamophobia. Both projects are expensive. Both are crucial.  
NATO is poised for its biggest military offensive since  
Obama's surge, the attack on Kandanar. This could lead to  
massive suffering in what uis Afghanistans second city.

£50 buys 2000 leaflets, £500 pays for a workshop at the  
conference. Please give generously.

HOW TO DONATE:
ONLINE:  http://bit.ly/FeWuS
BY PHONE: Call 0207801 2768 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              0207801 2768      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
BY POST: Send a cheque made out to "Stop the War Coalition" to 
Stop the War, 231 Vauxhall Bridge Road London SW1 1EH

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3) DEMOCRACY VILLAGE UNDER ATTACK

Activists in Parliament Square, who have been camping out in  
protest against the war in Afghanistan, are being threatened  
with eviction in the run up to the Queens Speech next week.  
They are asking for people to visit them to show support. Send 
messages to:  supportdemoracyvillage@gmail.com

They can also be followed on Twitter at:  
http://twitter.com/Democracyville

Military families petition Gordon Brown to bring the troops home‏

Stop the War Coalition Friday
14 December 2009
Web: www.stopwar.org.uk
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
CONTACT: Andrew Burgin 07939 242 229
Lindsey German 07810 540 584

PRESS RELEASE: IMMEDIATE
Military families petition Gordon Brown to bring the troops home.

On Monday 21 December at 5pm military families, who have either lost loved ones
or have relatives serving in Afghanistan, will deliver a petition to Gordon
Brown in Downing Street, calling for all British troops to be withdrawn. They
will be joined by former soldiers.

The military families and former soldiers will hold a press conference an hour
prior to delivering the petition, at 4pm in the Silver Cross, Whitehall, SW1
2BX.

Graham Knight, whose son was killed in Afghanistan, said, "We will hold a vigil
at Downing Street for those who have been killed. We have suffered terrible
personal loss in this war and we don't want any more families to go through the
same pain."

Joan Humphries, whose grandson was killed in August 2009, said, "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."

Lindsey German, Convenor of Stop the War Coalition said, "Tens of thousands of
people from across Britain have signed this petition, and 71% of the population
oppose the war. 100 British soldiers have been killed this year in a senseless
and unwinnable war. Gordon Brown should listen to the families of those who
have lost loved ones in the war and bring the troops home."

For further information, contact:
Andrew Burgin 07939 242 229
Lindsey German 07810 540 584

Free Joe Glenton Bring the troops home from Afghanistan Close down the Army showroom

Free Joe Glenton

Bring the troops home from Afghanistan

Close down the Army showroom

Lance Corporal Joe Glenton has refused to serve in Afghanistan and led the national Stop the War demonstration in October. He has now been imprisoned for speaking out against the war.

He needs our support for his brave stand.

What better place to protest at his imprisonment than at the Kingsland Shopping Centre where the Army showroom is attempting to disguise the reality of the war.

Come along and help campaign to end the occupation of Afghanistan. Thousands of civilians have been killed and hundreds of British soldiers have lost their lives in a pointless war to defend a corrupt regime. Sending more troops will do nothing but increase the threat of terrorism.

Come and protest. We shall be leafletting, petitioning and asking for support for Joe Glenton.

1.30pm

Saturday 12 December

Kingsland Shopping Centre

Kingsland High Street

(opposite Dalston Kingsland Station)

Israel the Palestinians and apartheid - central London meeting Friday 4 December

Israel, the Palestinians and apartheid

There will be a major event on the issue of boycott, disinvestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel in SOAS, University of London, Malet St, on Friday 4 December at 7pm.

The lecturers' union UCU is hosting an international conference on BDS and the London event is a "spin off" with many of the key note speakers from the UCU conference.

Bring them home by Christmas‏

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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

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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.

To order and see all Stop the War merchandise, go to: 
http://bit.ly/1u7UJF

Anti-war soldier arrested: Protest now‏

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

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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

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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

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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.)

Action stations over Afghanistan‏

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.

To most of the world, we are the terrorists

WARNING: This video contains disturbing images

American soldiers don't sacrifice for honour, duty, country. They don't fight for America, they fight for their lives and their buddies before them because we put them in a war zone. They're not defending our freedoms in Iraq, they're laying the foundations for 14 permanent military bases to defend the freedoms of Exon Mobil and British Petroleum.

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.

Five more soldiers die in an unwinnable war

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?