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








******************************

********

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.

**************************************

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--

Demonstration Against Israeli brutality, Saturday

Israel’s unprecedented massacre of peace activists on the Gaza flotilla has produced an outrage around the world.



On Monday London saw a magnificent protest called at just a few hours’ notice, as did many other towns and cities across the country.



This Saturday there is another emergency demonstration, which we need to make a big as possible.



Attached to this email is a flyer. Please print or photocopy some copies and spread them around your workmates, your trade union and community groups and your streets.



Hackney Stop the War activists will be leafleting stations and shopping centres between now and Saturday, but everyone can play apart in making this the demonstration a big as possible.



GAZA FLOTILLA NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION

ASSEMBLE 1.30PM DOWNING STREET LONDON



Stop the war is also holding a conference on Islamophobia on Saturday. This was to have been an all-day event, but has now been shortened so that people can go on the demonstration.



Although only half a day now, the conference is important. The intensification of the EDL racist marches have highlighted the extent to which Muslims are demonised in our society and the Stop Islamophobia conference will bring together an impressive list of speakers to lead the discussion on how this can be countered.

Anyone who wishes to attend can still do so.

STOP ISLAMOPHOBIA CONFERENCE 9.30AM - 1.00PM

CAMDEN CENTRE LONDON WC1H 9JE

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

*******************************  
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

*******************************  
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

*******************************  
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

Stepping up Stop the War's election campaign‏

STOP THE WAR COALITION 
NEWSLETTER No. 1149  
12 April 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) STEPPING UP STOP THE WAR'S ELECTION CAMPAIGN  
2) LONDON DEBATE: SHOULD THE TROOPS BE IN AFGHANISTAN? 
3) ASTOUNDING RESPONSE TO ELECTION SURVEY  
4) SPECIAL ELECTION RESOURCES 
5) CRUEL PRISON TREATMENT OF SOLDIER JOE GLENTON  
6) IT'S OFFICIAL: THROWING SHOES AS A PROTEST IS ALLOWED  
7) WATCHING THIS VIDEO ANGER CALCIFIES THE HEART

************************************** 
1) STEPPING UP STOP THE WAR'S ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Hardly any of the politicians vying for our votes in this  
election have mentioned the war in Afghanistan, even as the  
country sinks further into a quagmire of destruction and  
wasted lives, with the rate of British soldiers being killed  
double what it was a year ago.

We are stepping up our campaign to raise the profile of the  
war as an election issue and to get the candidates to state  
their views publicly on Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and other  
anti-war issues, which many people will want to know when  
deciding how to cast their vote.

Local Stop the War debates, question times, hustings etc are  
now rolling out across the country. We are posting details of 
these on our website as soon as we receive them: SEE  
http://bit.ly/crQiHe

A major all-London debate will take place this Wednesday 14  
April (details below) .

Stop the War now has available a range of election special  
resources (see below). Our Cost of War briefing card has  
proved so popular that it sold out within a few days and is  
now being reprinted.

************************************** 
2) LONDON DEBATE: SHOULD THE TROOPS BE IN AFGHANISTAN?

WEDNESDAY 14 APRIL 6.30 PM  
OLD CINEMA LECTURE THEATRE  
WESTMINSTER UNIVERSITY 
309 REGENT STREET, LONDON W1B 2UW

Participants include Mehdi Hasan from the New Statesman,  
Professor Christopher Coker from the London School of 
Economics, Martin Cakebread from the National Defence 
Association, and Lindsey German, Convenor of Stop the War.

Arguments for and against the war will be presented and there 
will be plenty of opportunity for contributions and questions 
from the floor.

************************************** 
3) ASTOUNDING RESPONSE TO ELECTION SURVEY

In just a few days, we have had an astounding response to our 
Election Candidates Survey. Close to 4000 emails to candidates 
have been sent already, asking where they stand on  
Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and other anti-war issues.

This is a reflection of the anger many voters must feel seeing 
all the main parties ignore what should be a key issue in the 
election.

If you haven't sent a message to your local candidates yet,  
requesting they tell you what their view is of this country's 
current war policies, we urge you to do so now. It takes just 
1-2 minutes here:  http://bit.ly/8X35fk

The more people pressure candidates, the more they will feel  
they have to respond. Please forward the link to or Candidates 
Survey to everyone you know and encourage them to send their  
message.

As we get the responses from candidates, they will be 
publicised on the Stop the War website, and we will name and  
shame those who have remained silent.

************************************** 
4) SPECIAL ELECTION RESOURCES

Stop the War has produced a range of election special 
resources for our campaign to force the war in Afghanistan  
onto the election agenda. These are all available from the  
national office: Tel: 020 7801 2768 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              020 7801 2768      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

* AFGHANISTAN: THE COST OF WAR This briefing card has proved  
so popular that it sold out within days. It is now being  
reprinted.

* PETITION: DON'T THEY KNOW THERE'S A WAR ON - BRING THE  
TROOPS HOME A petition for downloading to print and collect  
signatures in your work, school, college, community etc.  
Download here:

* AFGHANISTAN: 10 REASONS WHY THE TROOPS SHOULD COME HOME  
A new pamphlet written by Steve Bell with a preface by Paul  
Flynn MP. £2.50 incl p&p. BUY ONLINE: http://bit.ly/bGJTi3

* STOP THE WAR'S PRINTED NEWSLETTER We produce a by-monthly  
printed edition newsletter, the latest issue of which is an  
election special (50p. Reduced rate for 5 or more copies). If 
you've not seen the printed newsletter before, back issues are 
available here: http://bit.ly/c4r9Ot

************************************** 
5) CRUEL PRISON TREATMENT OF SOLDIER JOE GLENTON  
.  
Joe Glenton, the British soldier who refused to return to  
fight in Afghanistan because he believed the war to be 
unjustified and unwinnable, is receiving cruel treatment at  
the hands of military prison staff, following his court  
martial and sentence to nine months imprisonment.

The prison authorities are trying to force him to sleep under 
an unwashed or dirty blanket - a punishment that often leads  
prisoners to get body lice - and to wear boots despite the  
fact he has broken his toe. This follows a disciplinary  
hearing following what his legal team say is the trumped up  
claim that Joe insulted an officer.

Please send complaints about the way Joe is being treated in  
prison to: mctcwelfare@hotmail.com.

To send Joe a message of support and for background and  
updates on his case, go to: http://bit.ly/dgLAck

Joe's legal team is lodging an appeal against his jail 
sentence, at which Stop the War will be organising a protest  
calling for his immediate release.

PROTEST AT JOE GLENTON'S APPEAL HEARING  
CALLING FOR HIS IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
WEDNESDAY 21 APRIL 9.30AM  
ROYAL COURTS OF JUSTICE  
STRAND, LONDON WC2

************************************** 
6) IT'S OFFICIAL: THROWING SHOES AS A PROTEST IS ALLOWED

Seventy protestors face imprisonment for their involvement in 
the demonstrations in January 2009 against Israel's onslaught 
on Gaza, but one after another the cases are falling apart.

In the latest, Student Aquib Salim, 21, was likely to face  
prison for throwing a shoe at the Israeli Embassy but, as the 
Sunday Times reported (see http://bit.ly/b6b2h0 ), not now it 
has been revealed that the Metropolitan Police had said  
previously that throwing shoes as a sign of protest was  
permitted.

For background and updates to the Gaza Protestors Defence  
Campaign, see: http://bit.ly/d1FqIA

************************************** 
7) WATCHING THIS VIDEO ANGER CALCIFIES THE HEART

The video released by Wikileaks showing airmen in US  
helicopters slaughtering Iraqi civilians with unrestrained  
glee, is shocking enough in itself, but it is only unique in  
the footage we can now watch and hear which makes the atrocity 
irrefutable, unlike the countless occasions when Iraqis -- and 
Afghans -- have reported equivalent atrocities and were  
ignored.

See the video and the comments of Haifa Zangana, Iraqi 
novelist and former prisoner under Saddam Hussein, who tells  
how watching it made anger calcify in her heart:  
http://bit.ly/9iUnkT

************************************** 
LOBBY YOUR ELECTION CANDIDATES HERE: http://bit.ly/8X35fk  
**************************************

Afghanistan day of protest: 27 march‏

STOP THE WAR COALITION 
NEWSLETTER No. 1146  
22 March 2010 
Email office@stopwar.org.uk  
Tel: 020 7801 2768  
Web: http://stopwar.org.uk  
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk

IN THIS NEWSLETTER  
1) AFGHANISTAN DAY OF PROTEST: 27 MARCH  
2) JOE GLENTON DEFENCE CAMPAIGN  
3) PALESTINE PROTEST AT MAYOR OF JERUSALEM VISIT  
4) DEFEND THE GAZA PROTESTORS 
5) LONDON DEBATE ON AFGHANISTAN

*********************************  
1) AFGHANISTAN DAY OF PROTEST: 27 MARCH

NATO forces are gearing up for a massive offensive on Kandahar 
in the next few months. Even in advance of that the death toll 
is rising -- 30 British soldiers have died in Afghanistan  
since the start of the year.

As the general election approaches, Stop the War groups will  
be campaigning to force the issue of Afghanistan onto the  
political agenda.

On March 27 there will be a Troops Out of Afghanistan day of  
action. Local Stop the War groups will be organising protests 
and petitioning local MPs. Many local groups are organising  
hustings debates and public meetings in the next few weeks.  
Contact the Stop the War office for details of events in your 
area: Email: office@stopwar.org.uk.  Call 020 7801 2768.

As part of our campaigning, Stop the War is producing a "Costs 
of War" leaflet, a questionnaire to put to all candidates  
standing in the election and a new pamphlet on Afghanistan.  
They will be available this week from the national office.

*********************************  
2) JOE GLENTON DEFENCE CAMPAIGN

Colchester Stop the War is organising a weekend of protest  
27/28 March in support of Joe Glenton, the British soldier who 
has been jailed for refusing to fight in Afghanistan (DETAILS, 
UPDATES & PETITION)

SATURDAY 27 MARCH  11.30AM-1PM 
MASS LEAFLET AND PETITION FOR RELEASE OF JOE GLENTON  
ELD LANE, COLCHESTER  
ESSEX CO1 1LS

SUNDAY 28 MARCH 1.30PM 
PROTEST OUTSIDE JOE'S PRISON  
MILITARY CORRECTIVE TRAINING CENTRE  
BERECHURCH HALL ROAD  
ESSEX CO2 9NU

For more details and to get involved, contact Kate, tel: 07834 
218 711, email: stwcolchester@hotmail.co.uk

*********************************  
3) PALESTINE PROTEST AT MAYOR OF JERUSALEM VISIT

Despite international pressure, the Israeli government 
continues its persecution of the Palestinians, making a  
mockery of any talk of a peace process. Not only did they  
announce a huge new settlement in East Jerusalem last week,  
but the Israeli police have been brutally attacking people  
protesting against plans for a new synagogue right next to the 
Al Aqsa Mosque. In addition, four Palestinian youths have been 
shot dead by Israeli soldiers in the last few days.

On Monday 22 march, Nir Barkat -- the Mayor of Jerusalem  
directly responsible for the new settlements -- is visiting  
London. We are urging all our supporters in London to join the 
protest outside Chatham House, where he is speaking.

MONDAY 22 MARCH 5PM  
CHATHAM HOUSE 
10 ST JAMES'S SQUARE  
LONDON SW1Y 4LE

*********************************  
4) DEFEND THE GAZA PROTESTORS

A defence campaign has been set up for the protestors who have 
been charged with offences at the Gaza demonstrations in  
January 2009. (DETAILS, UPDATES, PETITION:  
http://bit.ly/d1FqIA )

More than 20 of the 78 people charged have been sent to prison 
in an unprecedented campaign by the police. Almost all of  
those charged are Muslims. The campaign to defend the 
protestors has resulted in some good press coverage, and one  
of the first defendants to plead not guilty was acquitted last 
week.

Please sign the petition in defence of the protestors, which  
will be delivered to the Home Office at a protest on Tuesday  
30 March, 4.30pm.

SIGN THE PETITION ONLINE:  http://bit.ly/ccjdN8

DOWNLOAD THE PETITION FOR PRINTING: http://bit.ly/b1KAxH  
We are asking our supporters to download the petition for  
collecting signatures as widely as they can. Please send them 
to the Stop the War office in time for the 30 March protest at 
the Home Office.

*********************************  
5) LONDON DEBATE ON AFGHANISTAN

In the run up to the imminent general election, in which all  
the main parties will be supporting the war in Afghanistan,  
Stop the War is organising a series of debates around the  
country. Details for the debates will be posted on our website 
as they become available.

The details of the London debate are:

WEDNESDAY 14 APRIL 7PM 
DEBATE: Should the Troops be in Afghanistan?  
SPEAKERS: Mehdi Hasan from the New Statesman, Professor  
Christopher Coker from the London School of Economics, Martin 
Cakebread from the National Defence Association, and Lindsey  
German Convenor of Stop the War  
VENUE: The Old Cinema lecture theatre, Westminster University, 
309 Regent Street, W1B 2UW.

*********************************
-- 

Attempt to ban protest outside Blair inquiry‏

STOP THE WAR COALITION 
NEWSLETTER  
No. 1137 26 January 2010  
Email office@stopwar.org.uk  
Tel: 020 7801 2768  
Web: http://stopwar.org.uk  
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk

IN THIS NEWSLETTER  
1) ATTEMPT TO BAN PROTEST OUTSIDE BLAIR INQUIRY  
2) AFGHAN MEETING HAS ADDED URGENCY  
3) PROTEST AT GORDON BROWN'S AFGHANISTAN CONFERENCE

**********************************  
1) ATTEMPT TO BAN PROTEST OUTSIDE BLAIR INQUIRY

Negotiations between the police and Stop the War broke down  
today when it became clear that the government is trying to  
hide our legitimate peaceful protest from Tony Blair when he  
gives evidence to the Chilcot Inquiry on Friday.

After days in which we were told by the police that they would 
try to facilitate our protest, Stop the War has been told we  
will not be allowed to protest on the grass outside the QEII  
Conference Centre.

This is a denial of our democratic rights and Stop the War  
will now call for the widest possible mobilisation, not just  
to express the majority view in this country that Tony Blair  
should be held to account for war crimes, but in defence of  
the right to protest.

Why should the public be denied the right to peaceful protest, 
particularly when the latest evidence given to the Chilcot  
Committee shows beyond doubt that Tony Blair knew he was  
taking Britain into an illegal war, and that he doctored legal 
advice to deceive his Cabinet, Parliament and the British  
public.

Stop the War is calling on all its supporters, local groups  
and affiliated organisations to mobilise the widest possible  
support for the Blair protest on Friday.

We urge everyone who can to join the demonstration at the QEII 
Conference Centre from 8am. Full details for the planned  
events are here: http://bit.ly/8mKM0T

Spread the word as widely as you can among your family,  
friends, work colleagues, fellow students etc, etc

TONY BLAIR'S "JUDGEMENT DAY"  
DEFEND THE RIGHT TO PROTEST  
Friday 29 January from 8.00am onwards 
Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre  
Broad Sanctuary, London, SW1P 3EE  
Nearest tube: Westminster

**********************************  
2) AFGHAN MEETING HAS ADDED URGENCY

The public meeting From Iraq to Afghanistan on Wednesday 27  
January has added urgency, given government attempts to  
curtail our right to protest.

Included in the discussion on Afghanistan will be the issue of 
how we can build the widest mobilisation possible to defend  
our democratic right to protest peacefully.

Speakers include Tony Benn, George Galloway MP, Seumas Milne  
from The Guardian, German MP Christine Buchholz, Kate Hudson  
from CND and Lindsey German from Stop the War Coalition.

STOP THE WAR/CND PUBLIC MEETING  
FROM IRAQ TO AFGHANISTAN  
WEDNESDAY 27 JANUARY 7.00PM  
CAMDEN CENTRE, BIDBOROUGH STREET  
LONDON WC1H 9DB

The limited edition JAIL TONY t-shirt, specially designed by  
Katharine Hamnett for Stop the War, will be on sale at this  
meeting. For a picture, see: http://bit.ly/72lcYY

The new Stop the War pamphlet, Iraq: The People's Dossier,  
will also be on sale.

**********************************  
3) PROTEST AT GORDON BROWN'S AFGHANISTAN CONFERENCE

Thursday 28 January, 8.30am,  
Lancaster House, Stable Yard, 
St James's, London SW1A 1BB

Protest when Gordon Brown hosts his international conference, 
attended by Hilary Clinton, President Karzai, Ban Ki-moon from 
the UN, and representatives of all the US-led countries that  
are waging war in Afghanistan.

**********************************

To Shoot An Elephant screening in Hackney tomorrow

Protest days in January

23 January, 1.30pm: Protest outside Army Show Room at Kingsland Shopping Centre, opposite Dalston Kingsland Station. Come and give out leaflets to publicise the blocade of Brown's Afghanistan Conference on 28 January and Blair's judgement day on 29 January. Helping us will be a masked Tony Bliar (no, not the real one) to answer any questions you have. 27 January: Central London Public Meeting Why we should get out of Afghanistan

Speakers: Tony Benn, Seumas Milne, George Galloway MP, a speaker from the German movement, Kate Hudson (CND), Lindsey German (Stop the War) 7pm, Camden Centre, Bidborough Street, London WC1H9DB

28 January: Blockade Gordon Brown's Afghanistan conference

Gordon Brown's international conference on Afghanistan is part of a concerted effort to revive the brand Afghanistan as "the good war". In reality the warmongers are gathering for a war council masquerading as a peace conference, which is why Stop the War has called for a blockade. Blockade Gordon Brown's War Conference Thursday 28 January 8.30am Lancaster House, Stable Yard, St James's London SW1A 1BB

29 January: Tony Blair's Judgement Day

Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre, Westminster, London SW1P 3EE On Friday 29 January, Tony Blair try to explain to the Iraq Inquiry the lies he used to take Britain into an illegal war. Stop the War will hold an all-day protest outside the inquiry, which will include a naming the dead ceremony, street theatre, poetry readings, music and other performances. Many military families will be there for the appearance of the man responsible for the deaths of their loved ones.It is time for the voice of the majority to be heard. Over 60% of the British public opposed the invasion in 2003. Today 52% say Blair deliberately misled parliament and the country. One in four say he should face trial for war crimes. On 29 January we will demand no whitewash by the Iraq Inquiry. Join us from 8.00am onwards

The people's dossier versus the dodgy dossier‏

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

THE PEOPLE'S DOSSIER VERSUS THE DODGY DOSSIER

Have you submitted your question to Tony Blair for the 
People's Dossier, which Stop the War will be presenting to the 
Iraq Inquiry? Hundreds of questions have been sent in, 
including contributions from Hans von Sponeck, the former UN 
coordinater in Iraq, musician Brian Eno and a number of 
military families.

Sami Ramadani, from Iraqi Democrats Against Occupation, has 
sent in this question:

Mr Blair, you have often said that you "strongly believed" you 
were doing "the right thing" when you sent British troops to 
invade and occupy Iraq. Considering that Hitler and other war 
criminals strongly believed that what they were doing was 
right, do you think that strongly believing in something makes 
it right, or pardonable if it proved to be terribly wrong?

Last week Alistair Campbell told the Iraq Inquiry he defends 
"every single word" of the dossier presented to parliament in 
September 2002. Blair wrote in the forward that it showed 
"beyond doubt" that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, when 
both he and Campbell knew full well that the intelligence had 
not produced any evidence that they existed.

The second "dodgy" dossier" published in February 2003 was an 
even more blatant fabrication intended to justify war crimes.

If you haven't sent in your question yet, please do so now. 
Blair will be appearing at the Iraq Inquiry within the next 
three weeks and we want the People's Dossier to be 
representative of everyone who protested in such vast numbers 
against his warmongering under the slogan "not in our name".

HOW TO SEND YOUR QUESTION 
Send it by email to Stop the War. Write "Blair question" in 
the subject title of the email and send to 
office@stopwar.org.uk

SEE UPDATES TO THE PEOPLE'S DOSSIER 
We have posted a selection of questions received so far here: 
http://bit.ly/5lfaSN 
We will be posting the full list of questions received soon, 
which will be update daily.

PROTEST THE DAY BLAIR GIVES EVIDENCE 
Stop the war will call a protest outside the Iraq Inquiry when 
Blair appears to insist there is no whitewash of his war 
crimes. There will be events all day, including a naming the 
dead ceremony, poetry readings, music and other performances.

Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan on public trial‏

STOP THE WAR COALITION 
NEWSLETTER  
No. 1134 13 January 2010  
Email office@stopwar.org.uk  
Tel: 020 7801 2768  
Web: http://stopwar.org.uk  
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk

IN THIS NEWSLETTER:  
1) WARS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN ON PUBLIC TRIAL  
2) BLOCKADE GORDON BROWN'S WAR CONFERENCE  
3) TONY BLAIR'S JUDGEMENT DAY 
4) L/CPL JOE GLENTON'S COURT MARTIAL HEARING  
5) BRITISH  GAZA PROTESTORS IMPRISONED 
6) GAZA ONE YEAR ON: PUBLIC MEETING  
7) KEEP THE MONEY COMING IN

*********************************  
1) WARS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN ON PUBLIC TRIAL

The Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are on public trial in the  
next few weeks. In January we will have the opportunity to  
give high profile expression to the opinion of the  
overwhelming majority of people in this country, that these  
wars are wrong and that they have to end. Stop the War is  
calling demonstrations at both Gordon Brown's International  
Conference on Afghanistan and for the day Tony Blair gives  
evidence to the Iraq Inquiry. See below for details.

*********************************  
2) BLOCKADE GORDON BROWN'S WAR CONFERENCE  
THURSDAY 28 JANUARY  
LANCASTER HOUSE, STABLE YARD, ST JAMES'  
LONDON SW1A 1BB

Gordon Brown has called a conference to discuss the  
Afghanistan War. It will be attended by leading players,  
including Hilary Clinton, stooge Afghan President Kharzai,  
President Sarkozy from France and Chancellor Angela Merkel  
from Germany.

The conference aims to parade support for Obama's second troop 
surge and to boost Gordon Brown in his general election  
campaign, for which the lives of Afghans and British soldiers 
are being cynically used .

Stop the War and CND are calling for the biggest possible  
protest to attempt to blockade the conference. We will be  
protesting as near as possible to the conference before it  
starts, probably in the morning. The government has not  
announced timings yes, so book the day off now and look out  
for update mailings or check our website:  
http://www.stopwar.org.uk

********************************  
3) TONY BLAIR'S JUDGEMENT DAY 
QUEEN ELISABETH CONFERENCE CENTRE  
WESTMINSTER LONDON SW1P 3EE

Stop the War is calling a protest at the Chilcot Iraq inquiry 
from 8am on the day Tony Blair gives evidence. He is due to  
appear within the two weeks following 25 January and he will  
be questioned all day.

Stop the War is planning a "judgement day" for Blair, which  
will include protest, politics and performance. We aim to  
involve all the groups and individuals that came together to  
oppose Blair's criminal war, and which culminated in the  
demonstration by two million people on 15 February 2003.

Many military families who lost loved ones because of Blair's 
lies will be attending the Inquiry and joining our protest  
outside.

There will be a naming of the dead ceremony when Blair first  
appears at the morning session, followed by readings, 
speeches, music and performance throughout the time he is  
giving evidence.

Appearances  have already been confirmed by by playwrights  
Caryl Churchill and David Edgar, the band King Blues, rapper  
and poet Lowkey, novelist A.L. Kennedy, actor Tim  
Piggot-Smith, Bruce Kent from CND, Lancet editor Richard  
Horton and many more.

We welcome more suggestions for activities to dramatise the  
need for Blair to be brought to justice for his war crimes.

Student and local Stop the War groups are already calling  
activist meetings to build support for Blair's Judgement Day  
and to discuss proposals for activities. Please contact the  
Stop the War office if you would like to be put in touch with 
your local or college Stop the War group.

Please spread the word about these protests. Publicity will be 
available soon. In the meantime please use every means you can 
to publicise these events by forwarding this e-mail, texting  
or tweeting your contacts etc.

*********************************  
4) L/CPL JOE GLENTON'S COURT MARTIAL HEARING

Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, the only serving British soldier  
refusing to fight in Afghanistan, was released from the  
Military Correction Training Centre in mid December and is now 
awaiting the legal hearings prior to his court martial. The  
initial legal arguments will be heard on Friday 29 January.

The army has decided that the hearing will be held at Bulford 
Camp , about 10 miles from Andover, probably because it thinks 
holding it in Wiltshire will diminish media coverage.

Stop the War will be organising transport to go to Bulford to 
give support to Joe on the day of his first court martial  
hearing. If you would be interested in going, please inform  
the Stop the War office: Call 020 7801 2768 or email  
office@stopwar.org.uk.

For background and updates on Joe's case see: 
http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/1594/27/

*********************************  
5) BRITISH  GAZA PROTESTORS IMPRISONED

It is outrageous that while the United Nations Goldstone  
Report -- which listed Israel's war crimes in its attack on  
Gaza and called for those responsible to be held to account -- 
has been ignored, those who demonstrated against these crimes 
at the time are being imprisoned for their protests.

Over 60 protestors who joined the major demonstrations in  
January 2009, which brought over 100,000 on to London's  
streets, have been charged with 'violent disorder' offences.  
Prison sentences are now being handed down by the courts.

To help those that have been charged we need film footage,  
photographs or video of any of the protests outside the  
Israeli Embassy or of the demonstrations on the 3rd, 10th or  
17th January 2009.

If you can help, please contact Joanna Gilmore who is helping 
with the defence of the protestors who have been charged:  
Email joanna.gilmore@manchester.ac.uk 
Call 07813 797 853.

*********************************  
6) GAZA ONE YEAR ON: PUBLIC MEETING

END THE SIEGE OF GAZA TUESDAY 19 JANUARY 7PM  
CONWAY HALL, RED LION SQUARE  LONDON WC1R 4RL 
Organised by Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War  
Coalition, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and British Muslim 
Initiative.

FULL DETAILS: http://bit.ly/4Oq31K  
Palestine Solidarity Campaign 0207 700 6192

*********************************  
7) KEEP THE MONEY COMING IN

We have had a fantastic response to our emergency financial  
appeal, receiving over three thousand pounds in the last 36  
hours. However we need much more than this to ensure we can be 
as effective as possible in the coming weeks.

If you have not already donated, please consider doing so now:

* Donate online: http://bit.ly/APlKX  
* By credit/debit card: Call 020 7801 2768  
* By post: Make cheque out to "Stop the War Coalition" and  
send to:  
     231 Vauxhall Bridge Road 
     London UK  
     SW1V 1EH

Download appeal letter as pdf: http://bit.ly/6kGWu1