Dear comrades,
One year ago, we learned about the fight of the Union of unemployed and the Federation of workers councils and unions against US occupation and reactionary terrorism of baathism and political Islam. We immediately decided to support it and created a solidarity group in France, Solidarité Irak. Day after day, we translated your communiqués, organized support events and meetings, engaged all left organizations, unions, associations to support you as well. One year after, this support has grown and become more effective. We organized a support meeting to the Bassrah conference and invited Amjad al-Jahwary to explain the fight of the Union of unemployed and The Federation of workers councils and unions in
Iraq.
The Bassrah conference is an important step in the building of Working-class movement,for its unity against all ethnics, religious, sexual divisions, for the right of workers and for equality between women and men. We, French activists of Solidarité Irak, fully support this conference and the building of worker councils and unions and send our salute to all our
comrades in Iraq.
Solidarité Irak –France
28.11.2004
Tuesday, November 30
Iraq solidarity down under...and all that jazz!
AusIraq union solidarity
7:30pm Monday 6 December
Greek Club, 206 Lakemba Street, Lakemba Sydney, Australia
Live jazz band. Greek buffet. All proceeds help build Iraq's emerging
trade unions. $38 waged/ $25 unwaged
Contact:
ausiraq@yahoogroups.com
ausiraq-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
7:30pm Monday 6 December
Greek Club, 206 Lakemba Street, Lakemba Sydney, Australia
Live jazz band. Greek buffet. All proceeds help build Iraq's emerging
trade unions. $38 waged/ $25 unwaged
Contact:
ausiraq@yahoogroups.com
ausiraq-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Friday, November 26
Rega Raulf of OWFI on the plight of women in Iraq
You’re all aware of the terrible attacks that have been committed in Iraq during the last time. People’s life and security is in danger. The situation is becoming worse and worse. The people is suffering, there is no electricity, salaries are not paid, the schools lack material and is often closing. There is an acute lack of clean water and food and further more there are not sufficient supplies of medicine for women, children or victims of war and terrorist attacks. In this desperate situation Islamic terrorist groups is growing like mushrooms. They threaten ordinary people’s lives and the modern in society, and especially the liberties and rights of women.
There is no legal security and society is taken aback before the threat of chaos and lawlessness. The transition government in Iraq is a mix of the most conservative and anti modern groups in the country. It consists of Kurds, Sunni- and Shia Muslims, Christians etc.
This composition is reinforcing the antagonism and deepening the gaps between people. This government does not origin from free and public elections; it has been forced on the Iraqi people by USA and its allies. The governments’ first decree implies Sharia-laws. This is going to have terrible consequences for the people in general and for women in particular. They want Iraq, like Iran, Afghanistan etc, to be governed by Islam. This means amongst other: gender apartheid, obligatory veil (hijab), polygamous marriages, stoning of women, forced marriages for under aged girls, executions and total abolishment of the modern and secular society.
Last month four women were assassinated in Basra because they were on their way to work. Almost every day corps of assassinated women is found in the streets of the cities. In Baghdad a woman was strung up in a tree and shot to death because she had an amorous relationship without being married. During tree months’ after the attack on Iraq last year almost 400 women disappeared, was kidnapped or murdered only in Baghdad. The women of Iraq don’t dare to go out without veil. Islamic groups is visiting schools and universities, threatening women and girls and forcing them to ware veil. The women of Iraq are stricken twofold; first because of nationality and second because of sex.
We, The Organization of Women Liberation of Iraq, are opposing the Islamic force. We will not accept that Iraq is becoming another hell for women. We are working for the enforcement of woman rights. We oppose the terror against women. We fight for equality between the sexes. Despite the fact that our activists are threatened to death by the Islamic groups, we have opened the only shelter for abused women in Iraq. We are present and active in media throughout the world. Our voice is heard in USA, the Middle East and Europe. Our members are working in families, schools, courts, in the streets and places of work. We are keeping the debate alive. We want to set focus on women situation and offer a radical solution to the problem.
There is no legal security and society is taken aback before the threat of chaos and lawlessness. The transition government in Iraq is a mix of the most conservative and anti modern groups in the country. It consists of Kurds, Sunni- and Shia Muslims, Christians etc.
This composition is reinforcing the antagonism and deepening the gaps between people. This government does not origin from free and public elections; it has been forced on the Iraqi people by USA and its allies. The governments’ first decree implies Sharia-laws. This is going to have terrible consequences for the people in general and for women in particular. They want Iraq, like Iran, Afghanistan etc, to be governed by Islam. This means amongst other: gender apartheid, obligatory veil (hijab), polygamous marriages, stoning of women, forced marriages for under aged girls, executions and total abolishment of the modern and secular society.
Last month four women were assassinated in Basra because they were on their way to work. Almost every day corps of assassinated women is found in the streets of the cities. In Baghdad a woman was strung up in a tree and shot to death because she had an amorous relationship without being married. During tree months’ after the attack on Iraq last year almost 400 women disappeared, was kidnapped or murdered only in Baghdad. The women of Iraq don’t dare to go out without veil. Islamic groups is visiting schools and universities, threatening women and girls and forcing them to ware veil. The women of Iraq are stricken twofold; first because of nationality and second because of sex.
We, The Organization of Women Liberation of Iraq, are opposing the Islamic force. We will not accept that Iraq is becoming another hell for women. We are working for the enforcement of woman rights. We oppose the terror against women. We fight for equality between the sexes. Despite the fact that our activists are threatened to death by the Islamic groups, we have opened the only shelter for abused women in Iraq. We are present and active in media throughout the world. Our voice is heard in USA, the Middle East and Europe. Our members are working in families, schools, courts, in the streets and places of work. We are keeping the debate alive. We want to set focus on women situation and offer a radical solution to the problem.
Defend the People of Falluja by Yanar Mohammed of OWFI
US troops are determined to terminate the people of Falluja in one of the ugliest genocide known in modern history. Air raids, bombing and all kinds of siege continue over the city, a result of which one fourth of the houses were bombed, collapsed and buried under them the men, elderly, women and children.
Most of the city’s surviving civilians are refugees in the surrounding areas and cities enduring worst living conditions and nutrition, with lack of medicine for the wounded. Their houses and streets continue to witness the most severe battles that result in the mass killing of fighters against American troops.
Millions of people in Iraq refuse the American occupation as it proves to be capable of terminating both fighters and civilians equally. This rejection has pushed thousands of young men into the ranks of the fighters in spite of their suspicion of the resistance’s inhumane practices and agenda which is based upon beheading and raising pictures of symbols of the late Baath regime.
Political Islam groups such as Zarkawi’s benefit from the overwhelming anger of Iraqis and their desire to fight an occupier who kills and runs them over with their tanks without the slightest consideration for their lives. These groups are strengthened by billions of dollars that flow across the border swamping Falluja, Baquba and Mosul with monies that recruit vulnerable youth within the ranks of “Mujahideen”. Thus winning them into a most inhuman and criminal group where innocent people’s abduction and beheadings of foreigners are easily justified and encouraged.
Millions are appalled between two terrorist alternatives: the first being that of the American troops and arsenal and their Iraqi puppet government that is most remote from the interests of the people, while the other is the alternative of the resistance of Islamists and Baathists who can change Iraq into another Afghanistan under Taliban if they win the current war.
The third marginalized alternative is the only hope. There is no salvation for the devastated masses to rid themselves from both occupation and terrorism unless they resort to the secular, libertarian and egalitarian alternative; one that eradicates all division lines of ethnicity, religion and sectarianism, one that guarantees respect, self-esteem and equality for women.
The masses will witness no security or stability as long as occupation subsists inside Iraq. An occupation that has proven to become a magnet that attracts groups of Islamist terrorism globally, groups that are willing to crush hundreds of thousands of civilians – such as those in Falluja- in order to launch the war of “Jihad”. This war can kill Iraqis in numbers incomparable to American troops' numbers.
The time has come for the secular alternative to move towards riding the people from the occupation and to reject the current terrorist resistance.
No to American occupation … No to Afghanization of Iraq … Long live the bright alternative of freedom, secularism and equality.
Yanar Mohammed
Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq
17/11/04
Most of the city’s surviving civilians are refugees in the surrounding areas and cities enduring worst living conditions and nutrition, with lack of medicine for the wounded. Their houses and streets continue to witness the most severe battles that result in the mass killing of fighters against American troops.
Millions of people in Iraq refuse the American occupation as it proves to be capable of terminating both fighters and civilians equally. This rejection has pushed thousands of young men into the ranks of the fighters in spite of their suspicion of the resistance’s inhumane practices and agenda which is based upon beheading and raising pictures of symbols of the late Baath regime.
Political Islam groups such as Zarkawi’s benefit from the overwhelming anger of Iraqis and their desire to fight an occupier who kills and runs them over with their tanks without the slightest consideration for their lives. These groups are strengthened by billions of dollars that flow across the border swamping Falluja, Baquba and Mosul with monies that recruit vulnerable youth within the ranks of “Mujahideen”. Thus winning them into a most inhuman and criminal group where innocent people’s abduction and beheadings of foreigners are easily justified and encouraged.
Millions are appalled between two terrorist alternatives: the first being that of the American troops and arsenal and their Iraqi puppet government that is most remote from the interests of the people, while the other is the alternative of the resistance of Islamists and Baathists who can change Iraq into another Afghanistan under Taliban if they win the current war.
The third marginalized alternative is the only hope. There is no salvation for the devastated masses to rid themselves from both occupation and terrorism unless they resort to the secular, libertarian and egalitarian alternative; one that eradicates all division lines of ethnicity, religion and sectarianism, one that guarantees respect, self-esteem and equality for women.
The masses will witness no security or stability as long as occupation subsists inside Iraq. An occupation that has proven to become a magnet that attracts groups of Islamist terrorism globally, groups that are willing to crush hundreds of thousands of civilians – such as those in Falluja- in order to launch the war of “Jihad”. This war can kill Iraqis in numbers incomparable to American troops' numbers.
The time has come for the secular alternative to move towards riding the people from the occupation and to reject the current terrorist resistance.
No to American occupation … No to Afghanization of Iraq … Long live the bright alternative of freedom, secularism and equality.
Yanar Mohammed
Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq
17/11/04
Thursday, November 25
Press release of UUI, regarding kidnapping of foreign workers in Iraq
The foreign workers are victims of terrorism which is the result of the American-British war and occupation in Iraq.
The political Islamic groups took advantage from the presence of the occupying forces in Iraq to propagate for their reactionary agenda and to fund their terrorist operations through kidnapping foreign workers and demanding huge amount of money to release them. Many foreign workers have been taken as hostage in Iraq by these groups and they requested thousand of dollars in order to release them, this became a business for these groups and even governments of many of these workers did not send troops to Iraq at all. Workers from Nepal, Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon and Sri Lanka, Philippine, staffs of humanitarian organizations and NGOs …..ect are among the victims of beheading and hostage exchange with huge amount of money by political Islamic groups in Iraq.
UUI condemn strongly these atrocities against foreign workers in Iraq who have nothing to do with this war and occupation in Iraq. Many of these workers like their class comrades in this world are seeking for jobs in order to improve their economic situations and to feed their families and children.
We call all political parties, trade unions and humanitarian organizations Worldwide, to condemn strongly these actions in order to prevent victimization of innocent foreign workers for this terrorist conflict between political Islam and occupying forces in Iraq .We call Iraqi people to protest against these kidnapping operations against innocent foreigners which threats every foreign workers to become target of terrorism and this business profit.
We express our condolence for families of the victims of these operations and we declare our solidarity with the families of kidnapped workers who are still hostages in Iraq and we hope that freedom loving people worldwide will stand firmly against these crimes and oppose these reactionary policies. End of the Occupation in Iraq is the only way to eradicate these atrocities.
Union of Unemployed in Iraq-UUI
Leading committee
20.11.2004
The political Islamic groups took advantage from the presence of the occupying forces in Iraq to propagate for their reactionary agenda and to fund their terrorist operations through kidnapping foreign workers and demanding huge amount of money to release them. Many foreign workers have been taken as hostage in Iraq by these groups and they requested thousand of dollars in order to release them, this became a business for these groups and even governments of many of these workers did not send troops to Iraq at all. Workers from Nepal, Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon and Sri Lanka, Philippine, staffs of humanitarian organizations and NGOs …..ect are among the victims of beheading and hostage exchange with huge amount of money by political Islamic groups in Iraq.
UUI condemn strongly these atrocities against foreign workers in Iraq who have nothing to do with this war and occupation in Iraq. Many of these workers like their class comrades in this world are seeking for jobs in order to improve their economic situations and to feed their families and children.
We call all political parties, trade unions and humanitarian organizations Worldwide, to condemn strongly these actions in order to prevent victimization of innocent foreign workers for this terrorist conflict between political Islam and occupying forces in Iraq .We call Iraqi people to protest against these kidnapping operations against innocent foreigners which threats every foreign workers to become target of terrorism and this business profit.
We express our condolence for families of the victims of these operations and we declare our solidarity with the families of kidnapped workers who are still hostages in Iraq and we hope that freedom loving people worldwide will stand firmly against these crimes and oppose these reactionary policies. End of the Occupation in Iraq is the only way to eradicate these atrocities.
Union of Unemployed in Iraq-UUI
Leading committee
20.11.2004
Wednesday, November 24
UUI Statement on Fallujah assault
The Military operations of US-occupying forces and the Iraqi forces on Falluja and other Iraqi cities are imposition of Oppression and regarded as War crimes of the American war on Iraq.
The last military atrocities against Iraqi cities and the pictures of horror and killing have turned the resident cities to a battle field of a terrorist conflict between military forces of USA and political Islamic groups in Iraq.
The pictures of the massive destructions which are happening now in Iraq and the war which reached every Iraqi inhabitant, have became one of the main character of the war of American forces on Iraq on one side and on other side the political Islamic groups.
More than 100 thousand Iraqi people became victims of this war and occupation in Iraq and this number increases on daily bases as a result of a brutal and barbaric war of both sides of this terrorist conflict.
In addition, the lack of security and social services, deficiency of the civil and political rights of Iraqi people, illegal arrestment, random bombardment and explosions by US forces are the results of war on Iraq and these gave the green light to the political Islamic groups which are attempting to transfer their war against USA to Iraq by kidnapping operations ,suicide Bomb explosions ,car explosions and beheading of innocent civilian in Iraq and foreign workers in order to impose their political agenda which are establishment of an Islamic government in Iraq and imposing of Islamic shria by taking advantage of the war and occupation in Iraq. Both sides are victimizing the lives of innocent civilian to approach their political agenda . The population in Iraq paid heavy prices of this reactionary war which is one of the steps for USA to impose new world order on Middle East and world.
UUI condemns strongly these violations against human rights and civil rights in Iraq and stands firmly with the civilian people in Falluja and other Iraqi cities. We share actively to support hundred thousands of displaced people in Falluja and to bring them humanitarian aids and we condemn the obstruction of the humanitarian aids by US military forces to reach the civil population in Falluja
We call people of Falluja and other cities to understand the human perspectives of our front in Iraq which is the front of secularism, freedom and equality and to condemn strongly the occupation in Iraq and reactionary policies of political Islam and to condemn all forms of terrorism which reached their homes and their working places and to oppose to the military assaults of USA forces and terrorist activities of political Islamic forces in Iraq in order to return the normal civil living for the people there and to force both the poles of terrorism to withdraw from Falluja. It’s obvious that occupation in Iraq is the main source of insecurity and instability in Iraq therefore all occupying forces should withdraw from Iraq immediately and unconditionally.
Union of Unemployed in Iraq-UUI
Leading committee
17.11.2004
The last military atrocities against Iraqi cities and the pictures of horror and killing have turned the resident cities to a battle field of a terrorist conflict between military forces of USA and political Islamic groups in Iraq.
The pictures of the massive destructions which are happening now in Iraq and the war which reached every Iraqi inhabitant, have became one of the main character of the war of American forces on Iraq on one side and on other side the political Islamic groups.
More than 100 thousand Iraqi people became victims of this war and occupation in Iraq and this number increases on daily bases as a result of a brutal and barbaric war of both sides of this terrorist conflict.
In addition, the lack of security and social services, deficiency of the civil and political rights of Iraqi people, illegal arrestment, random bombardment and explosions by US forces are the results of war on Iraq and these gave the green light to the political Islamic groups which are attempting to transfer their war against USA to Iraq by kidnapping operations ,suicide Bomb explosions ,car explosions and beheading of innocent civilian in Iraq and foreign workers in order to impose their political agenda which are establishment of an Islamic government in Iraq and imposing of Islamic shria by taking advantage of the war and occupation in Iraq. Both sides are victimizing the lives of innocent civilian to approach their political agenda . The population in Iraq paid heavy prices of this reactionary war which is one of the steps for USA to impose new world order on Middle East and world.
UUI condemns strongly these violations against human rights and civil rights in Iraq and stands firmly with the civilian people in Falluja and other Iraqi cities. We share actively to support hundred thousands of displaced people in Falluja and to bring them humanitarian aids and we condemn the obstruction of the humanitarian aids by US military forces to reach the civil population in Falluja
We call people of Falluja and other cities to understand the human perspectives of our front in Iraq which is the front of secularism, freedom and equality and to condemn strongly the occupation in Iraq and reactionary policies of political Islam and to condemn all forms of terrorism which reached their homes and their working places and to oppose to the military assaults of USA forces and terrorist activities of political Islamic forces in Iraq in order to return the normal civil living for the people there and to force both the poles of terrorism to withdraw from Falluja. It’s obvious that occupation in Iraq is the main source of insecurity and instability in Iraq therefore all occupying forces should withdraw from Iraq immediately and unconditionally.
Union of Unemployed in Iraq-UUI
Leading committee
17.11.2004
Sunday, November 21
Basra union leader speaks
8 December, 2004, 18:30, House of Commons (Committee Room 10).
Come along and hear from Hassan Jumaa Al Asaad the General Secretary, Southern Oil Company TU (and President of the Basra Oil Union).
This meeting has been called by Labour Against The War "for sponsors and affiliates to hear alternative voices to the IFTU".
Note from IWSG: the Southern Oil Company Union is an affiliate of the IFTU, even if there are reports that it is unhappy in some respects with the central IFTU leadership.
Come along and hear from Hassan Jumaa Al Asaad the General Secretary, Southern Oil Company TU (and President of the Basra Oil Union).
This meeting has been called by Labour Against The War "for sponsors and affiliates to hear alternative voices to the IFTU".
Note from IWSG: the Southern Oil Company Union is an affiliate of the IFTU, even if there are reports that it is unhappy in some respects with the central IFTU leadership.
Debt deal "unjust and inadequate"
The Paris Club cartel of Iraq's creditors has been meeting this week, and news has just filtered out (11am GMT, 20 November) that a deal has been achieved.
Germany's finance minister Hans Eichel told reporters: ''I had talks with my American colleague, John Snow, which created the basis on which the forgiveness of Iraqi debt can be settled mutually in the Paris Club. We agreed that there should be a write-off of debts in several stages amounting to 80% in total."
30% would be written off immediately, another 30% in a second stage ''tied to a program of the International Monetary Fund'' and a further 20% ''linked to the success of this program. Within this framework, the necessary decisions can now be taken in the Paris Club.'' He added: "by doing this we see a special situation for Iraq. This does not create a precedent for any other case.'' A G20 source said that debt relief would be phased over an 8 year period.
Assuming all non-Paris Club creditors agree to the 80% reduction, which is far from certain, Iraq would still be shackled with over $25bn of debt, not to mention new loans being peddled by the IMF and World Bank, and the $31bn reparations awarded so far. The IMF conditions – such as privatisation and ending food rations – could further exacerbate the poverty and instability in Iraq.
Jubilee Iraq staged a protest at the Paris Club on Wednesday and met with the Paris Club President and French officials to communicate Iraqi views that almost all of the debt is odious, and should be written off entirely, immediately and unconditionally - not partially, over 8 years and based on dangerous IMF conditions.
While the offer the Paris Club has made is better than nothing, it is unjust in the face of the odious origins of the debt and economically inadequate in the face of the devastated state of Iraq today.
There will be significant developments in the next few days, so please watch www.jubileeiraq.org for updates.
Germany's finance minister Hans Eichel told reporters: ''I had talks with my American colleague, John Snow, which created the basis on which the forgiveness of Iraqi debt can be settled mutually in the Paris Club. We agreed that there should be a write-off of debts in several stages amounting to 80% in total."
30% would be written off immediately, another 30% in a second stage ''tied to a program of the International Monetary Fund'' and a further 20% ''linked to the success of this program. Within this framework, the necessary decisions can now be taken in the Paris Club.'' He added: "by doing this we see a special situation for Iraq. This does not create a precedent for any other case.'' A G20 source said that debt relief would be phased over an 8 year period.
Assuming all non-Paris Club creditors agree to the 80% reduction, which is far from certain, Iraq would still be shackled with over $25bn of debt, not to mention new loans being peddled by the IMF and World Bank, and the $31bn reparations awarded so far. The IMF conditions – such as privatisation and ending food rations – could further exacerbate the poverty and instability in Iraq.
Jubilee Iraq staged a protest at the Paris Club on Wednesday and met with the Paris Club President and French officials to communicate Iraqi views that almost all of the debt is odious, and should be written off entirely, immediately and unconditionally - not partially, over 8 years and based on dangerous IMF conditions.
While the offer the Paris Club has made is better than nothing, it is unjust in the face of the odious origins of the debt and economically inadequate in the face of the devastated state of Iraq today.
There will be significant developments in the next few days, so please watch www.jubileeiraq.org for updates.
Teachers' union leaders interviewed
The IFTU held a meeting with the two Joint Presidents of the Baghdad teachers' union, Mahdi Ali Laffta and Salah Hassan Mahmood Al Jafat, at the meeting of Iraqi trade unions in October 2004 organised by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) in Amman, Jordan.
Teachers' unions have a special importance in Iraq. During the Sadddam era teachers were rigidly policed by the state and Ba'ath Party apparatus, to ensure that they conferred legitimacy on the regime through their teaching. Those teachers suspected of undermining the dictatorship were dismissed. The teachers' unions formed since the fall of Saddam emphasise their independence from the state and political parties. The teachers' unions are not affiliated to any trade union federation, although they have strong and fraternal relationships with IFTU and share a political perspective on the necessity for building independent trade unions and rebuilding Iraqi civil society.
"The Teachers’ Union in Baghdad held its first open conference on 29 July 2003. The conference elected a new leadership committee of 15 members and adopted an internal rulebook.
"About 350 delegates representing 20 union committees in both Al Kharkh and Al Risaafah attended the conference. [Al Kharkh and Al Risaafah are the two districts of Baghdad where many of the technical and higher education establishments are located]
"Two preparatory committees, each with 20 members were also present even though they were not yet officially constituted.
"At the Conference these 20 committees merged to form two committees of 10 members each and the meeting elected two Presidents; Mahdi Ali Laffta in Al Risaafah and Salah Hassan Mohmood Al Jaf in Al Kharkh.
"Union Membership is voluntary not a compulsory, but teachers want to join us. In Al Kharkh there are 29,100 members out of 32 thousand teachers. Union membership costs one thousand Dinars a year; this is a significant percentage of a teacher's wage.
"In Al Rasaafa there are 25,500 union members out of about 33,000 teachers who pay the same membership dues.
"On 23 August 2003, 400 delegates representing teachers’ unions in 15 government regions across Iraq held their first National Conference. The Teachers’ Unions in the Baghdad region were there, came together and elected a 16 strong national committee.
"The National Conference of Teachers’ Unions decided on the following policy priorities and campaigning activities:
"The united Teachers’ Union campaigns for:
1. The reinstatement of politically victimised teachers to their jobs and compensation for teachers who Saddam drove out of work;
2. Teachers to have the right to a union representative in all industrial tribunals;
3. A trade centre for teachers to shop at low cost;
4. Increased wages from 5,000 to 20,00 Iraqi Dinars per month;
5. Reduced teachers work load and improved education by reducing primary class sizes down from 28 to 24 and then incrementally down to 18;
6. To retrain former teachers and include more computer training;
7. To build Teacher housing.
Teachers' unions have a special importance in Iraq. During the Sadddam era teachers were rigidly policed by the state and Ba'ath Party apparatus, to ensure that they conferred legitimacy on the regime through their teaching. Those teachers suspected of undermining the dictatorship were dismissed. The teachers' unions formed since the fall of Saddam emphasise their independence from the state and political parties. The teachers' unions are not affiliated to any trade union federation, although they have strong and fraternal relationships with IFTU and share a political perspective on the necessity for building independent trade unions and rebuilding Iraqi civil society.
"The Teachers’ Union in Baghdad held its first open conference on 29 July 2003. The conference elected a new leadership committee of 15 members and adopted an internal rulebook.
"About 350 delegates representing 20 union committees in both Al Kharkh and Al Risaafah attended the conference. [Al Kharkh and Al Risaafah are the two districts of Baghdad where many of the technical and higher education establishments are located]
"Two preparatory committees, each with 20 members were also present even though they were not yet officially constituted.
"At the Conference these 20 committees merged to form two committees of 10 members each and the meeting elected two Presidents; Mahdi Ali Laffta in Al Risaafah and Salah Hassan Mohmood Al Jaf in Al Kharkh.
"Union Membership is voluntary not a compulsory, but teachers want to join us. In Al Kharkh there are 29,100 members out of 32 thousand teachers. Union membership costs one thousand Dinars a year; this is a significant percentage of a teacher's wage.
"In Al Rasaafa there are 25,500 union members out of about 33,000 teachers who pay the same membership dues.
"On 23 August 2003, 400 delegates representing teachers’ unions in 15 government regions across Iraq held their first National Conference. The Teachers’ Unions in the Baghdad region were there, came together and elected a 16 strong national committee.
"The National Conference of Teachers’ Unions decided on the following policy priorities and campaigning activities:
"The united Teachers’ Union campaigns for:
1. The reinstatement of politically victimised teachers to their jobs and compensation for teachers who Saddam drove out of work;
2. Teachers to have the right to a union representative in all industrial tribunals;
3. A trade centre for teachers to shop at low cost;
4. Increased wages from 5,000 to 20,00 Iraqi Dinars per month;
5. Reduced teachers work load and improved education by reducing primary class sizes down from 28 to 24 and then incrementally down to 18;
6. To retrain former teachers and include more computer training;
7. To build Teacher housing.
IFTU on the bombing of Falluja
The Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions wishes to make our position on the current bloody chaos in parts of Iraq absolutely clear. Firstly, the IFTU opposes the use of military force against civilian areas, such as the city of Falluja.
The IFTU believes that a far greater effort needs to be made to negotiate as far as possible, a peaceful ending to the lawlessness, violence and imposition of illegitimate and extreme fundamentalist and totalitarian rule by armed groups in few Iraqi cities.
We ask the international labour movement to join us in committing ourselves to a just and peaceful future for an Iraq, free from the occupation and from terrorism.
We opposed the war, the invasion and the occupation of our country because we knew the deadly consequences, which would follow. Those who suffer are as always, the unarmed civilian population.
Iraq once had the strongest labour movement in the Middle East and some million people joined the May Day march in Baghdad in 1959. All that may seem far off now as our country is turn apart by the extreme use of military force by the occupying forces, the fanatics, fundamentalists and terrorists. But the IFTU must remain steadfast in its course and to continue to build the forces of civil society, to support democracy, progress and a peaceful future for the Iraqi people.
The IFTU believes that a far greater effort needs to be made to negotiate as far as possible, a peaceful ending to the lawlessness, violence and imposition of illegitimate and extreme fundamentalist and totalitarian rule by armed groups in few Iraqi cities.
We ask the international labour movement to join us in committing ourselves to a just and peaceful future for an Iraq, free from the occupation and from terrorism.
We opposed the war, the invasion and the occupation of our country because we knew the deadly consequences, which would follow. Those who suffer are as always, the unarmed civilian population.
Iraq once had the strongest labour movement in the Middle East and some million people joined the May Day march in Baghdad in 1959. All that may seem far off now as our country is turn apart by the extreme use of military force by the occupying forces, the fanatics, fundamentalists and terrorists. But the IFTU must remain steadfast in its course and to continue to build the forces of civil society, to support democracy, progress and a peaceful future for the Iraqi people.
Friday, November 19
"Now we're taking you to court!"
24 November, 2004 - 16:00 - NUJ HQ, 308 Grays Inn Road, London WC1 - Press Conference with Naomi Klein: Protestors insist on trial as government and ‘plunder promoter’ drop charges.In what is believed to be a politically motivated decision, the Crown Prosecution Service has dropped charges of ‘Aggravated Trespass’ against two female protesters who demonstrated inside an Iraq privatisation conference last April.
Ewa Jasiewicz, activist Jounalist had recently returned from 9 months solidarity work with trade unionists, families, refugees and women’s groups in Iraq. Pennie Quinton is an Indymedia activist and journalist.
The Crown stated that ‘there is not enough evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction’.
Ewa and Pennie have been charged with intending to disrupt a “lawful activity” when they entered the Iraq Procurement Conference, unfurled banners, and addressed the delegates as collaborators in the daily massacres in Iraq. Their actions caused the conference venue to be evacuated and all activity to be suspended.
Naomi Klein, award-winning journalist and author of No Logo, had been scheduled to give evidence at the trial. She will take part in a press conference alongside the defendants and their lawyer at The National Union of Journalists, 308 Grays Inn Road, WC1, 4pm this Tuesday 24th November.
Pennie and Ewa are claiming their right to trial under Section 23 of the Prosecution of Offenses Act 1985. This means they are in effect, taking the government and event organisers Windrush Communications to court. Prosecution witnesses from Windrush have refused to attend the trial. They will now be witnessed-summoned. Windrush have failed to disclose evidence, in violation of repeated court orders, to reveal invitations, attendees, order of business and contracts procured, relating to the event. They will now be ordered to submit again.
The defence will continue to argue that the meeting was not a lawful event as it was facilitating acts in breach of the Iraq constitution - illegal under the Hague Regulations of 1907 and Geneva Conventions 1949. Britain and the US are signatories to both the Hague Regulations and Geneva Conventions.
In a leaked memo dated March 26th 2003, UK Attorney General Lord Peter Goldsmith advised Prime Minister Blair that in his view, 'the imposition of major structural economic reforms would not be authorised under international law'. (Source: Guardian, 7 November 2003, “Pillage is forbidden: Why the privatisation of Iraq is illegal“ Aaron Mate).
This case will be the first time the legality of the pillage of Iraq is challenged in court. The defendants hope the court will rule that the conference was unlawful as occupying forces must comply with international law.
Ewa and Pennie regard the prosecution’s climb-down as a victory and a total vindication of the validity and necessity of their actions and legal argument.
They state: ‘The decision undertaken by Windrush Communications to back down when faced with the legal consequences of their actions – in our belief, aiding and abetting pillage in Iraq in contravention of international law – is an open door to other activists to take further action to expose the ‘unlawful’ activity of companies and event organisers like Windrush’.
For information, contact the former defendants –
Ewa Jasiewicz at freelance@mailworks.org or 07749 421 576
Pennie Quinton at pennieq@yahoo.com.
Their solicitor Rhiannon Jones at Bindman and Partners 0207 833 4433 r.jones@bindmans.com
Related Information:
Iraq business deals may be invalid, law experts warn (Source: Thomas Catán, Financial Times September 30th 2003)
The US-led provisional authority in Iraq may be breaking international law by selling state assets, experts have warned, raising the prospect that contracts signed now by foreign investors could be scrapped by a future Iraqi government.
International businesspeople attending a conference in London October 2003 heard that some orders issued by the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) may be in breach of the 1907 Hague Regulations and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
"Is what they are doing legitimate, is it legal?” asked Juliet Blanch, a partner at the London-based international law firm Norton Rose. "Most [experts] believe that their actions are not legal", she said. "There would be no requirement for a new government to ratify their [actions]."
International law obliges occupying powers to respect laws already in force in a country "unless absolutely prevented" from doing so.
According to international law experts, that throws doubt on the legality of the CPA's September 19 order opening the Iraqi economy to foreign investment. In what amounted to a blueprint for transforming Iraq into a market economy, Order 39 permitted full foreign ownership of a wide range of state-owned Iraqi assets, barring natural resources such as oil.
Background
1 - Windrush Communications organised the Iraq Procurement Conference, bringing together:
“Over 200 companies and organisations from around the world … to discuss the wide range of economic opportunities available. The event was open to interested businesses and organisations from all countries, immediately following the awarding of up to $18.4 billion in contracts from the US Congress and prior to the handover from the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) to the new Iraqi government on 30 June.” (Source: http://www.iraqprocurement.com)
1- On the Iraq Procurement Conference, Jasiewicz says-
The decisions which set the living standards and possibilities for generations to come; The decisions which determine who will starve and who will survive and who will live and who will die, are not made on the battlefield by people in uniform, they are made by people in suits behind closed doors, in soft-carpeted hotels and function rooms. They are made in private and demand absolute silence. They are made by the powerful and remorseless. They are made by those who legitimise theft, excuse crimes against humanity, and seal the fate of an entire country’s future with a pen’s stroke. There are made in events like Iraq Procurement 2004.
You make history, when you do business – Barbara Kruger
3- Relevant Links:
http://www.iraqprocurement.com/ - website of the Iraq Procurement Conference
http://www.cpa-iraq.org - website of the Occupation Administration - Orders can be found in the Documents section. Of particular relevance are Orders 30 and 39 plus Orders on Taxation Strategy
http://www.iraqoccupationfocus.org.uk/ - Up-to-date info and analysis on the continuing occupation and traumatisation of Iraq
http://www.workersliberty.org/files/Occupied_Basra_19.pdf - Ewa Jasiewicz's 3 month research report on workers struggle in British Occupied Basra
http://www.occupationwatch.org/article.php?id=2180 SOC Workers Throw Out KBR, Reconstruct Their workplaces Autonomously article by Ewa Jasiewicz
http://www.labournet.net/world/0312/Iraq3.html - Iraqi Workers Threaten General Strike, Armed resistance - article by Ewa Jasiewicz
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/01/283668.html - Basra Braces Itself for Industrial Shut-Down - article by Ewa Jasiewicz on Electricity Sector workers threatening strike action
http://www.kclabor.org/occupied_basra_electricity_worke.htm - Update on Electricity Workers Strike article by Ewa Jasiewicz
http://www.infoshop.org/inews/stories.php?story=04/02/09/2722630 - Umm Qasr workers wrestle with the prospect of forming a union. There is now a trade union at Umm Qasr! International Longshore and Warehouse Union members, employed by SSA Marine (formerly known as Stevedoring Services of America), the company which has been responsible for Umm Qasr since the occupation began sent a letter of solidarity and encouragement to the workers at the key Port. It is thought this helped workers gain the confidence and build on the already existing desire to form a union.
Ewa Jasiewicz, activist Jounalist had recently returned from 9 months solidarity work with trade unionists, families, refugees and women’s groups in Iraq. Pennie Quinton is an Indymedia activist and journalist.
The Crown stated that ‘there is not enough evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction’.
Ewa and Pennie have been charged with intending to disrupt a “lawful activity” when they entered the Iraq Procurement Conference, unfurled banners, and addressed the delegates as collaborators in the daily massacres in Iraq. Their actions caused the conference venue to be evacuated and all activity to be suspended.
Naomi Klein, award-winning journalist and author of No Logo, had been scheduled to give evidence at the trial. She will take part in a press conference alongside the defendants and their lawyer at The National Union of Journalists, 308 Grays Inn Road, WC1, 4pm this Tuesday 24th November.
Pennie and Ewa are claiming their right to trial under Section 23 of the Prosecution of Offenses Act 1985. This means they are in effect, taking the government and event organisers Windrush Communications to court. Prosecution witnesses from Windrush have refused to attend the trial. They will now be witnessed-summoned. Windrush have failed to disclose evidence, in violation of repeated court orders, to reveal invitations, attendees, order of business and contracts procured, relating to the event. They will now be ordered to submit again.
The defence will continue to argue that the meeting was not a lawful event as it was facilitating acts in breach of the Iraq constitution - illegal under the Hague Regulations of 1907 and Geneva Conventions 1949. Britain and the US are signatories to both the Hague Regulations and Geneva Conventions.
In a leaked memo dated March 26th 2003, UK Attorney General Lord Peter Goldsmith advised Prime Minister Blair that in his view, 'the imposition of major structural economic reforms would not be authorised under international law'. (Source: Guardian, 7 November 2003, “Pillage is forbidden: Why the privatisation of Iraq is illegal“ Aaron Mate).
This case will be the first time the legality of the pillage of Iraq is challenged in court. The defendants hope the court will rule that the conference was unlawful as occupying forces must comply with international law.
Ewa and Pennie regard the prosecution’s climb-down as a victory and a total vindication of the validity and necessity of their actions and legal argument.
They state: ‘The decision undertaken by Windrush Communications to back down when faced with the legal consequences of their actions – in our belief, aiding and abetting pillage in Iraq in contravention of international law – is an open door to other activists to take further action to expose the ‘unlawful’ activity of companies and event organisers like Windrush’.
For information, contact the former defendants –
Ewa Jasiewicz at freelance@mailworks.org or 07749 421 576
Pennie Quinton at pennieq@yahoo.com.
Their solicitor Rhiannon Jones at Bindman and Partners 0207 833 4433 r.jones@bindmans.com
Related Information:
Iraq business deals may be invalid, law experts warn (Source: Thomas Catán, Financial Times September 30th 2003)
The US-led provisional authority in Iraq may be breaking international law by selling state assets, experts have warned, raising the prospect that contracts signed now by foreign investors could be scrapped by a future Iraqi government.
International businesspeople attending a conference in London October 2003 heard that some orders issued by the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) may be in breach of the 1907 Hague Regulations and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
"Is what they are doing legitimate, is it legal?” asked Juliet Blanch, a partner at the London-based international law firm Norton Rose. "Most [experts] believe that their actions are not legal", she said. "There would be no requirement for a new government to ratify their [actions]."
International law obliges occupying powers to respect laws already in force in a country "unless absolutely prevented" from doing so.
According to international law experts, that throws doubt on the legality of the CPA's September 19 order opening the Iraqi economy to foreign investment. In what amounted to a blueprint for transforming Iraq into a market economy, Order 39 permitted full foreign ownership of a wide range of state-owned Iraqi assets, barring natural resources such as oil.
Background
1 - Windrush Communications organised the Iraq Procurement Conference, bringing together:
“Over 200 companies and organisations from around the world … to discuss the wide range of economic opportunities available. The event was open to interested businesses and organisations from all countries, immediately following the awarding of up to $18.4 billion in contracts from the US Congress and prior to the handover from the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) to the new Iraqi government on 30 June.” (Source: http://www.iraqprocurement.com)
1- On the Iraq Procurement Conference, Jasiewicz says-
The decisions which set the living standards and possibilities for generations to come; The decisions which determine who will starve and who will survive and who will live and who will die, are not made on the battlefield by people in uniform, they are made by people in suits behind closed doors, in soft-carpeted hotels and function rooms. They are made in private and demand absolute silence. They are made by the powerful and remorseless. They are made by those who legitimise theft, excuse crimes against humanity, and seal the fate of an entire country’s future with a pen’s stroke. There are made in events like Iraq Procurement 2004.
You make history, when you do business – Barbara Kruger
3- Relevant Links:
http://www.iraqprocurement.com/ - website of the Iraq Procurement Conference
http://www.cpa-iraq.org - website of the Occupation Administration - Orders can be found in the Documents section. Of particular relevance are Orders 30 and 39 plus Orders on Taxation Strategy
http://www.iraqoccupationfocus.org.uk/ - Up-to-date info and analysis on the continuing occupation and traumatisation of Iraq
http://www.workersliberty.org/files/Occupied_Basra_19.pdf - Ewa Jasiewicz's 3 month research report on workers struggle in British Occupied Basra
http://www.occupationwatch.org/article.php?id=2180 SOC Workers Throw Out KBR, Reconstruct Their workplaces Autonomously article by Ewa Jasiewicz
http://www.labournet.net/world/0312/Iraq3.html - Iraqi Workers Threaten General Strike, Armed resistance - article by Ewa Jasiewicz
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/01/283668.html - Basra Braces Itself for Industrial Shut-Down - article by Ewa Jasiewicz on Electricity Sector workers threatening strike action
http://www.kclabor.org/occupied_basra_electricity_worke.htm - Update on Electricity Workers Strike article by Ewa Jasiewicz
http://www.infoshop.org/inews/stories.php?story=04/02/09/2722630 - Umm Qasr workers wrestle with the prospect of forming a union. There is now a trade union at Umm Qasr! International Longshore and Warehouse Union members, employed by SSA Marine (formerly known as Stevedoring Services of America), the company which has been responsible for Umm Qasr since the occupation began sent a letter of solidarity and encouragement to the workers at the key Port. It is thought this helped workers gain the confidence and build on the already existing desire to form a union.
Tuesday, November 16
Two statements from the FWCUI
For several months the returned workers in the sea transportation company didn’t receive any kind of payment. These returned workers are either fired from jobs in the former regime era or who quit their jobs because they refused to comply with its policy to be in one of its armed machinery like popular army, or Al-Quds army.
Meanwhile they are waiting for their life to get better and being compensated, the authorities have made them sign affirm not to demand their payment before at least 2 months and it has been extended till today which is considered unprecedented step that must be stopped firmly, the workers are being deprived from any payment on the other hand billions of dollars disappear in fraud and false contracts or any other sort of corruption.
Keeping the pressure over the authorities, we also call on all international organizations, trade unions, and human rights organizations to support sea transportation workers in Basra, and to pressurize the authorities to comply with the workers demands.
Federation of Worker Councils and Trade unions in Iraq/ Basra
30.10.2004
A Statement Issued By the Trade Union Leaders
While we work on building labor organizations that represent the labor will and hope, our leaders and activists face the authority’s suppression which bring back to our mind the acts of the former regime.
We declare here in our meeting that we stand unite with the labors who confronted and will confront the authorities in their efforts to earn their demands. Also we declare our solidarity with the transportation workers in the southern power company who opposed the resolution to transfer them against their choice, refused to follow orders in this regard, and disclosed the authorities’ acts who called the police to arrest them. Because of the persistency of the workers the police didn’t follow the orders too.
We also declare our solidarity with (Bassim Khalil) the secretary of the thermo power trade union who stood firm against all unjustified acts made against the workers by the authorities.
In addition we demand the ministry of finance to clarify its position towards the labor annual benefits that have been veiled, we also demand the ministry of transportation to process the payment for those who returned to work, and their payment was not being made for more than 4 months.
Meanwhile we call on the people to support the workers cause to achieve their essential goals and interests.
Federation of Worker Councils and Trade unions in Iraq/ Basra
22.10.2004
Meanwhile they are waiting for their life to get better and being compensated, the authorities have made them sign affirm not to demand their payment before at least 2 months and it has been extended till today which is considered unprecedented step that must be stopped firmly, the workers are being deprived from any payment on the other hand billions of dollars disappear in fraud and false contracts or any other sort of corruption.
Keeping the pressure over the authorities, we also call on all international organizations, trade unions, and human rights organizations to support sea transportation workers in Basra, and to pressurize the authorities to comply with the workers demands.
Federation of Worker Councils and Trade unions in Iraq/ Basra
30.10.2004
A Statement Issued By the Trade Union Leaders
While we work on building labor organizations that represent the labor will and hope, our leaders and activists face the authority’s suppression which bring back to our mind the acts of the former regime.
We declare here in our meeting that we stand unite with the labors who confronted and will confront the authorities in their efforts to earn their demands. Also we declare our solidarity with the transportation workers in the southern power company who opposed the resolution to transfer them against their choice, refused to follow orders in this regard, and disclosed the authorities’ acts who called the police to arrest them. Because of the persistency of the workers the police didn’t follow the orders too.
We also declare our solidarity with (Bassim Khalil) the secretary of the thermo power trade union who stood firm against all unjustified acts made against the workers by the authorities.
In addition we demand the ministry of finance to clarify its position towards the labor annual benefits that have been veiled, we also demand the ministry of transportation to process the payment for those who returned to work, and their payment was not being made for more than 4 months.
Meanwhile we call on the people to support the workers cause to achieve their essential goals and interests.
Federation of Worker Councils and Trade unions in Iraq/ Basra
22.10.2004
Monday, November 15
Two dictatorships in Baghdad
A report by Cécile Hennion and Rémy Ourdan translated from Le Monde of 3 November 2004.
No-one had envisaged these nineteen months like this. For the Iraqi people, subjected to violence, paranoia and depression, Bush is the enemy, Kerry is the unknown.
Baghdad is an occupied city. It’s difficult to describe, but there’s always something in the air to remind you of this.
The American occupation is Abu Ghraib, it is torture, and it is the prisons and the systemic humiliations. It is a green zone, a huge Americo-Iraqi camp planted in the heart of the city, supposed to symbolise "the new Iraq." It is an Iraq so removed from the real Iraq that its inhabitants often laugh at it, and sometimes cry. It is a ballet of planes and helicopters. It’s a frightened patrol that crosses the city, guns pointed.
The other occupation – a direct consequence of the first – is the simmering guerrilla war. It is this blackened carcass on the pavement, those car bombs that seek their targets. It is the houses riddled from the impact of bullets in Haifa Street, a stronghold of the Sunni guerrillas, 500 metres from the Green Zone. It is the road to the airports, lined with decapitated palm trees and routine ambushes. It is the parked planes that are forced to take off to avoid the missiles of the Mujahedeen. It is the trapped streets of Sadr City, where the mines of the Shi’ite guerrillas kill more children in the district than the American enemy. It is the fear that haunts these places, and the menace that sleeps in others. The other occupation is the assassins and the kidnappers on the look-out for their prey – both Iraqi and foreign.
And then there is the invisible occupation. "Saddam has disappeared, but today, each Iraqi is a little Saddam." Some, like the student Ammar, believe that the poison comes initially from within, that three decades of Stalinism (of the Tikriti variety) has perverted the Iraqis' spirits.
Iraqis who do not describe themselves as angels being struck down by a diabolical, foreign force are rare, as are Iraqis who do not recall the time, as if to tempt fate, when their country was the home of "kindness" and "hospitality." The enemy of Iraq is clearly foreign. The prime suspects are America, Al-Qaida, Iran and other neighbouring states.
"We will never be free," says the student, "while Saddam is in our heads." He speaks of people’s mentalities, of their ways of life, and above all of "values." For him, the enemy of Iraq is, first of all, Iraqi.
"Under the dictatorship of Saddam, Iraqis acted like wolves against other Iraqis. There were many deaths, disappearances, torturing," remembers Mona, an academic.
"However, this is nothing compared to today. Under this occupation, with this war, mutual solidarity and trust don’t exist any more. We don’t only fear Saddam’s secret service, but the man in the street, our neighbour. Danger is everywhere."
"People don’t think of anything except surviving and making dollars," says Ammar, "even if it means trampling on others."
So Baghdadis choose voluntary seclusion. Many don’t leave the house, ban their children from going to school, the boys from going to the football pitch, the girls from going to eat an ice cream. Even inside the home, life has changed.
The doors are closed. The stereo and everything of value has been stored away somewhere close – where the curiosity of malevolent neighbours will not be aroused. If you are rich, you will be kidnapped for a ransom – so it’s necessary to hide your riches: don’t change the car, moan about the increase in prices, don’t cause envy. And, for even more safety, don’t invite your neighbours round. Stay alone, with your family – sheltered from glances. Sheltered from danger.
For these besieged Iraqis, the television and the internet represent freedom. Unless they believe it. Until they discover, like Mona, that her husband – a depressive – wakes himself up in the night to drink arrack in front of the news, and that her son Mohammed sits out his insomnia watching porn films.
Or, like Nahla, that her son Ahmed surfs an Islamist website, where he can watch – full screen – the execution of hostages. Ahmed watches decapitations for some length of time. Blood fascinates him.
The other day, he had a crisis: he rolled to the ground on the Persian carpet and banged his head against the wall. He yelled, "Iraq is shit! Islam is shit!" He cried that he wanted to become "Jewish, Christian or Chinese." When he had regained his calm, he returned to his computer.
"We have already totally banned it. But if I deprive him of the internet, he will become mad," says Nahla. To see Ahmed, it’s rather this ultimate freedom that leads to the psychiatrist’s office.
Alia, the sister of Ahmed, is also bored. The sole obsession of the adolescent, to escape from the familial prison, was school. This summer, this young wise and obedient girl has, for the first time in her live, stolen money from her mother. Nahla doesn’t want her to study, because of expulsions due to the Islamist threats against mixed schools. So Alia stole in order to buy her exercise books and pencils.
The parents yielded, and lived – with her school re-entry – one month of hell. Then everything changed. The other night, a rocket – destined for a police station – hit the house of their neighbours, and struck a bottle of gas that started a fire that killed the family of six. Alia saw the house burn. Since, she has not gone to school, or out at all, and she never speaks except to cry that she wants "to leave Iraq."
Almost all Iraqis agree, nineteen months after the event that changed their lives forever, that the USA has done nothing since 9 April 2003, the day of the toppling of Saddam Hussein, but poison the situation. Even those who remain enchanted with the fall of the dictator have only one word on their lips: waste.
"I’m leaving. It’s awful." In Baghdad, that is one of the phrase which one hears the most these days. "I’m leaving." It’s without any doubt the first American failure in Iraq. The urban elites and the youth do not only think of fleeing. The future – it’s hell. Patriots, and even strong nationalists, often add "and I will come back," albeit with a look of doubt in their eyes and some hesitation. Ammar the student is also leaving – to study, to forget. He leaves without the intention of returning.
Iraq today is the kingdom of violence, paranoia and depression. Each Iraqi feels like a prison, lost in a hostile environment – alone.
No-one envisaged these nineteen months like this. The irony is that even the staunchest opponents of the American invasion – without talking of any of partisans – were persuaded that the US’s gamble was going to be successful.
The Iraqis say they were too exhausted by twenty three years of war to not offer themselves – by choice or resignation – to the biggest political, economic and military power on earth. After Saddam Hussein, and despite the fact that George W Bush was unanimously hated, a miracle was certain. We feared civil war, but we spoke above all of a country that could become again the shining light of the Middle East. History was invoked – as was oil and dollars.
Some even believed the idea that Iraq would become "the first Arab democracy." And, even when the population wonders how the elections could take place in three months, some still believe it. These people are especially confined to the Green Zone, the bunker of the masters of the country. Some others still believe it as well, but do not dare to say. Outside the Green Zone, to approve of it is to die – because there is in Iraq today at least two dictatorships; that of the occupation and that of "the resistance."
The occupation that brought, by eliminating Saddam, a universally greeted freedom of speech, of politics and of religion, is however a dictatorship in itself. "There can be no democracy under occupation," one heard everywhere.
As for "the resistance," theirs is a reign of terror – one that would destroy the new found freedom of speech, one that would impose its own political and religious order.
"There is a multitude of dictators," thinks Ali – a writer. "The Americans, the Allawi government, the Sunni nationalist and Islamist guerrillas, Al-Qaida and the other foreign Jihadis, Al-Sadr’s Shi’ite guerrillas, the bandits, even the jerk in my street with his Kalashnikov." He says, like Ammar, that Iraqis have become "little Saddams."
Iraqis are trapped by their contradictory sentiments. Trapped between the occupation and "the resistance," two camps with minority support. Trapped, besieged, depressed.
"And then there is not only the political civil war," adds Hussein, prosperous tradesman of Sadr City and quiet father to his family. "My son was kidnapped and tortured my Al-Sadr’s fighters. He was released in a terrible state. So I wait. Today it’s too dangerous to oppose these bandits – but tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, I will go to see the Chief of my tribe. He will give me a blessing for revenge. Blood will run."
At least this month Baghdadis can complain. Ramadan as a catharsis - for the one who has "forgotten" to get up at five o’clock in the morning in order to eat before sunrise, or who is most pal. Baghdadis are in a bad way, but they don’t often speak amongst themselves about the occupation, the war, the attacks, the crime, and the unemployment. Politics is death – a forbidden subject.
So they speak of their dizziness and their empty stomachs. In return they receive understanding shakes of the head – the ill feeling finally shared in a concert of lamentations without fear of being judged or condemned.
Young Baghdadis shut themselves away and dream of exile. Those who live in action, or who simply have to feed their wives and children, have no choice but to become a policeman or a soldier – a "collaborator" or "occupier" in the eyes of "the resistance" – or to join the mujahedeen. To become a hero, a traitor or a terrorist – according to your point of view. And, in every case, with a strong probability of ending up dead – a martyr mown down by a bullet or torn apart in an attack.
"Freedom and democracy are playthings of the rich," philosophises Latif, an unemployed intellectual and an alcoholic, sunk into an armchair in front of his television. "Here, what we want is security of jobs for the men, school for the children."
The occupation is hell. The end of the occupation, however, is also hell. Many Baghdadis say that, reluctantly of course, they want George Bush to be re-elected. They fear that if Kerry becomes president he will order the withdrawal of the American army.
"Bush is the enemy of Iraq, Arabs and Muslims," says Munzer, a ciagarette-seller, "but if the cowboys were to go, we’d have civil war."
Baghdadis watch Americans vote for the man who holds the keys to their fate – Bush or Kerry – and cannot imagine that they will also be able to vote, in three months, for their first democratically elected president. But when one fears walking down one’s own street, this seems still to be "a plaything of the rich."
*Thanks to Daniel Randall for this translation.
No-one had envisaged these nineteen months like this. For the Iraqi people, subjected to violence, paranoia and depression, Bush is the enemy, Kerry is the unknown.
Baghdad is an occupied city. It’s difficult to describe, but there’s always something in the air to remind you of this.
The American occupation is Abu Ghraib, it is torture, and it is the prisons and the systemic humiliations. It is a green zone, a huge Americo-Iraqi camp planted in the heart of the city, supposed to symbolise "the new Iraq." It is an Iraq so removed from the real Iraq that its inhabitants often laugh at it, and sometimes cry. It is a ballet of planes and helicopters. It’s a frightened patrol that crosses the city, guns pointed.
The other occupation – a direct consequence of the first – is the simmering guerrilla war. It is this blackened carcass on the pavement, those car bombs that seek their targets. It is the houses riddled from the impact of bullets in Haifa Street, a stronghold of the Sunni guerrillas, 500 metres from the Green Zone. It is the road to the airports, lined with decapitated palm trees and routine ambushes. It is the parked planes that are forced to take off to avoid the missiles of the Mujahedeen. It is the trapped streets of Sadr City, where the mines of the Shi’ite guerrillas kill more children in the district than the American enemy. It is the fear that haunts these places, and the menace that sleeps in others. The other occupation is the assassins and the kidnappers on the look-out for their prey – both Iraqi and foreign.
And then there is the invisible occupation. "Saddam has disappeared, but today, each Iraqi is a little Saddam." Some, like the student Ammar, believe that the poison comes initially from within, that three decades of Stalinism (of the Tikriti variety) has perverted the Iraqis' spirits.
Iraqis who do not describe themselves as angels being struck down by a diabolical, foreign force are rare, as are Iraqis who do not recall the time, as if to tempt fate, when their country was the home of "kindness" and "hospitality." The enemy of Iraq is clearly foreign. The prime suspects are America, Al-Qaida, Iran and other neighbouring states.
"We will never be free," says the student, "while Saddam is in our heads." He speaks of people’s mentalities, of their ways of life, and above all of "values." For him, the enemy of Iraq is, first of all, Iraqi.
"Under the dictatorship of Saddam, Iraqis acted like wolves against other Iraqis. There were many deaths, disappearances, torturing," remembers Mona, an academic.
"However, this is nothing compared to today. Under this occupation, with this war, mutual solidarity and trust don’t exist any more. We don’t only fear Saddam’s secret service, but the man in the street, our neighbour. Danger is everywhere."
"People don’t think of anything except surviving and making dollars," says Ammar, "even if it means trampling on others."
So Baghdadis choose voluntary seclusion. Many don’t leave the house, ban their children from going to school, the boys from going to the football pitch, the girls from going to eat an ice cream. Even inside the home, life has changed.
The doors are closed. The stereo and everything of value has been stored away somewhere close – where the curiosity of malevolent neighbours will not be aroused. If you are rich, you will be kidnapped for a ransom – so it’s necessary to hide your riches: don’t change the car, moan about the increase in prices, don’t cause envy. And, for even more safety, don’t invite your neighbours round. Stay alone, with your family – sheltered from glances. Sheltered from danger.
For these besieged Iraqis, the television and the internet represent freedom. Unless they believe it. Until they discover, like Mona, that her husband – a depressive – wakes himself up in the night to drink arrack in front of the news, and that her son Mohammed sits out his insomnia watching porn films.
Or, like Nahla, that her son Ahmed surfs an Islamist website, where he can watch – full screen – the execution of hostages. Ahmed watches decapitations for some length of time. Blood fascinates him.
The other day, he had a crisis: he rolled to the ground on the Persian carpet and banged his head against the wall. He yelled, "Iraq is shit! Islam is shit!" He cried that he wanted to become "Jewish, Christian or Chinese." When he had regained his calm, he returned to his computer.
"We have already totally banned it. But if I deprive him of the internet, he will become mad," says Nahla. To see Ahmed, it’s rather this ultimate freedom that leads to the psychiatrist’s office.
Alia, the sister of Ahmed, is also bored. The sole obsession of the adolescent, to escape from the familial prison, was school. This summer, this young wise and obedient girl has, for the first time in her live, stolen money from her mother. Nahla doesn’t want her to study, because of expulsions due to the Islamist threats against mixed schools. So Alia stole in order to buy her exercise books and pencils.
The parents yielded, and lived – with her school re-entry – one month of hell. Then everything changed. The other night, a rocket – destined for a police station – hit the house of their neighbours, and struck a bottle of gas that started a fire that killed the family of six. Alia saw the house burn. Since, she has not gone to school, or out at all, and she never speaks except to cry that she wants "to leave Iraq."
Almost all Iraqis agree, nineteen months after the event that changed their lives forever, that the USA has done nothing since 9 April 2003, the day of the toppling of Saddam Hussein, but poison the situation. Even those who remain enchanted with the fall of the dictator have only one word on their lips: waste.
"I’m leaving. It’s awful." In Baghdad, that is one of the phrase which one hears the most these days. "I’m leaving." It’s without any doubt the first American failure in Iraq. The urban elites and the youth do not only think of fleeing. The future – it’s hell. Patriots, and even strong nationalists, often add "and I will come back," albeit with a look of doubt in their eyes and some hesitation. Ammar the student is also leaving – to study, to forget. He leaves without the intention of returning.
Iraq today is the kingdom of violence, paranoia and depression. Each Iraqi feels like a prison, lost in a hostile environment – alone.
No-one envisaged these nineteen months like this. The irony is that even the staunchest opponents of the American invasion – without talking of any of partisans – were persuaded that the US’s gamble was going to be successful.
The Iraqis say they were too exhausted by twenty three years of war to not offer themselves – by choice or resignation – to the biggest political, economic and military power on earth. After Saddam Hussein, and despite the fact that George W Bush was unanimously hated, a miracle was certain. We feared civil war, but we spoke above all of a country that could become again the shining light of the Middle East. History was invoked – as was oil and dollars.
Some even believed the idea that Iraq would become "the first Arab democracy." And, even when the population wonders how the elections could take place in three months, some still believe it. These people are especially confined to the Green Zone, the bunker of the masters of the country. Some others still believe it as well, but do not dare to say. Outside the Green Zone, to approve of it is to die – because there is in Iraq today at least two dictatorships; that of the occupation and that of "the resistance."
The occupation that brought, by eliminating Saddam, a universally greeted freedom of speech, of politics and of religion, is however a dictatorship in itself. "There can be no democracy under occupation," one heard everywhere.
As for "the resistance," theirs is a reign of terror – one that would destroy the new found freedom of speech, one that would impose its own political and religious order.
"There is a multitude of dictators," thinks Ali – a writer. "The Americans, the Allawi government, the Sunni nationalist and Islamist guerrillas, Al-Qaida and the other foreign Jihadis, Al-Sadr’s Shi’ite guerrillas, the bandits, even the jerk in my street with his Kalashnikov." He says, like Ammar, that Iraqis have become "little Saddams."
Iraqis are trapped by their contradictory sentiments. Trapped between the occupation and "the resistance," two camps with minority support. Trapped, besieged, depressed.
"And then there is not only the political civil war," adds Hussein, prosperous tradesman of Sadr City and quiet father to his family. "My son was kidnapped and tortured my Al-Sadr’s fighters. He was released in a terrible state. So I wait. Today it’s too dangerous to oppose these bandits – but tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, I will go to see the Chief of my tribe. He will give me a blessing for revenge. Blood will run."
At least this month Baghdadis can complain. Ramadan as a catharsis - for the one who has "forgotten" to get up at five o’clock in the morning in order to eat before sunrise, or who is most pal. Baghdadis are in a bad way, but they don’t often speak amongst themselves about the occupation, the war, the attacks, the crime, and the unemployment. Politics is death – a forbidden subject.
So they speak of their dizziness and their empty stomachs. In return they receive understanding shakes of the head – the ill feeling finally shared in a concert of lamentations without fear of being judged or condemned.
Young Baghdadis shut themselves away and dream of exile. Those who live in action, or who simply have to feed their wives and children, have no choice but to become a policeman or a soldier – a "collaborator" or "occupier" in the eyes of "the resistance" – or to join the mujahedeen. To become a hero, a traitor or a terrorist – according to your point of view. And, in every case, with a strong probability of ending up dead – a martyr mown down by a bullet or torn apart in an attack.
"Freedom and democracy are playthings of the rich," philosophises Latif, an unemployed intellectual and an alcoholic, sunk into an armchair in front of his television. "Here, what we want is security of jobs for the men, school for the children."
The occupation is hell. The end of the occupation, however, is also hell. Many Baghdadis say that, reluctantly of course, they want George Bush to be re-elected. They fear that if Kerry becomes president he will order the withdrawal of the American army.
"Bush is the enemy of Iraq, Arabs and Muslims," says Munzer, a ciagarette-seller, "but if the cowboys were to go, we’d have civil war."
Baghdadis watch Americans vote for the man who holds the keys to their fate – Bush or Kerry – and cannot imagine that they will also be able to vote, in three months, for their first democratically elected president. But when one fears walking down one’s own street, this seems still to be "a plaything of the rich."
*Thanks to Daniel Randall for this translation.
Saturday, November 13
US calls international conference on Iraq
An international conference on Iraq will be held in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh on November 22 and 23, an official spokesman said on Wednesday after a meeting between Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and top US envoy in the region William Burns.
"Egypt wants to reach an adequate formula for all the Iraqi parties involved to express their views at the conference, which will take place in Sharm el-Sheikh on November 22-23," presidential spokesman Maged Abdul Fattah told reporters.
The conference is being held in Sharm el-Sheikh despite a series of attacks earlier this month in resorts further up the coast of the Sinai peninsula that killed at least 32 people.
The conference is due to be attended by members of Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi’s interim government, neighbouring countries, as well as the Group of Eight leading industrialised countries, the Organisation of the Islamic conference, the Arab League and possibly the European Union.
(From the Daily Times, Pakistan).
"Egypt wants to reach an adequate formula for all the Iraqi parties involved to express their views at the conference, which will take place in Sharm el-Sheikh on November 22-23," presidential spokesman Maged Abdul Fattah told reporters.
The conference is being held in Sharm el-Sheikh despite a series of attacks earlier this month in resorts further up the coast of the Sinai peninsula that killed at least 32 people.
The conference is due to be attended by members of Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi’s interim government, neighbouring countries, as well as the Group of Eight leading industrialised countries, the Organisation of the Islamic conference, the Arab League and possibly the European Union.
(From the Daily Times, Pakistan).
TGWU Broad Left discusses Iraq
A meeting of the TGWU Broad Left on 30 October discussed Iraq. This report is not an official one, but one widely circulated by email among TGWU members.
An excellent debate was held on Iraq following the crisis in the Stop the War Coaltion (StWC). Everyone shares Mick Rix's concerns at the StWC officers' statement which attacked the UK trade unions for the way they voted at the Labour party Conference and accused Abdullah Muhsin and the IFTU of "collaborating" with the occupation. The final sentence had foolishly supported Iraqi resistance "by whatever means necessary" - a phrase which implies support for kidnappings, beheadings, car bombs etc. (We were informed that the StWC web-site version omitted this last sentence following criticism).
We had a very detailed account of how and why the TGWU delegation to Labour Conf voted in the way they did. To paraphrase Len McCluskey's account; a genuine debate took place, Abdullah Muhsin's caution about immediate withdrawal because of the implications for civil society in Iraq had considerable influence; Composite 6 which called for early withdrawal was obviously going to fall and some other Unions were going to vote against it; TGWU did what it could to avoid Composite 5 passing which would have congratulated Blair; the NEC statement represented the best outcome for us and although backing UN Resolution 1564 (for the troops to stay until after elections next year) did not in any way support Blair over the war; the "spin" put on the vote by the Government implied (wrongly) that the Unions with the rest of Conference had backed Blair.
Everyone accepted that explanation and there was no criticiism of the delegation, but most people present believed that the TGWU's official position should not be support for UN Resolution 1546 but should maintain the TUC Congress position on a "speedy withdrawal" of occupation troops. The IFTU should not be criticised for their position of supporting UN res 1546 - that's their democratic right.
There was strong support for the view that the StWC has been a tremendously successful organisation which has mobilised people against the war in Iraq, now the mainstream view in the UK. It is too important to allow to collapse through division, particularly when we should be uniting in public opposition to the impending onslaught in Fallujah and the increasing involvement of UK troops in what is being termed ""another Vietnam". The differences must be resolved between the StWC officers and the Trade Unions. We need:
a) an apology for Abdullah Muhsin for the personal attack on him which potentially puts his life in danger
b) an assurance that no further attacks on the UK and Iraqi trade unions occurs
c) more consultation and improved accountability within StWC to prevent such ill-considered and divisive statements in future
d) unity around the end to violence against Iraqi people and the imminent bloodbath in Fallujah
e) real practical solidarity support for the Iraqi trade unions
On the last point it was reported that Brendan Barber is being lobbied to hold a special TUC Conference on Iraq in the New Year. We should support that call and mobilise the UK trade union movement to give practical assistance to the Iraqi trade union organisations (not just the IFTU). This intitiative should be rolled out to the Region TUC's and local Trades Councils.
Regarding our own involvement in StWC, it is not at present clear to us whether any affiliation fee has been paid (if not it should be) but we believe we are a recognised affiliate. We should actively take up our rightful position on the Steering Committee and use our influence to reform the internal structures appropriately in the light of the StWC Officers' statement.
Martin Mayer
An excellent debate was held on Iraq following the crisis in the Stop the War Coaltion (StWC). Everyone shares Mick Rix's concerns at the StWC officers' statement which attacked the UK trade unions for the way they voted at the Labour party Conference and accused Abdullah Muhsin and the IFTU of "collaborating" with the occupation. The final sentence had foolishly supported Iraqi resistance "by whatever means necessary" - a phrase which implies support for kidnappings, beheadings, car bombs etc. (We were informed that the StWC web-site version omitted this last sentence following criticism).
We had a very detailed account of how and why the TGWU delegation to Labour Conf voted in the way they did. To paraphrase Len McCluskey's account; a genuine debate took place, Abdullah Muhsin's caution about immediate withdrawal because of the implications for civil society in Iraq had considerable influence; Composite 6 which called for early withdrawal was obviously going to fall and some other Unions were going to vote against it; TGWU did what it could to avoid Composite 5 passing which would have congratulated Blair; the NEC statement represented the best outcome for us and although backing UN Resolution 1564 (for the troops to stay until after elections next year) did not in any way support Blair over the war; the "spin" put on the vote by the Government implied (wrongly) that the Unions with the rest of Conference had backed Blair.
Everyone accepted that explanation and there was no criticiism of the delegation, but most people present believed that the TGWU's official position should not be support for UN Resolution 1546 but should maintain the TUC Congress position on a "speedy withdrawal" of occupation troops. The IFTU should not be criticised for their position of supporting UN res 1546 - that's their democratic right.
There was strong support for the view that the StWC has been a tremendously successful organisation which has mobilised people against the war in Iraq, now the mainstream view in the UK. It is too important to allow to collapse through division, particularly when we should be uniting in public opposition to the impending onslaught in Fallujah and the increasing involvement of UK troops in what is being termed ""another Vietnam". The differences must be resolved between the StWC officers and the Trade Unions. We need:
a) an apology for Abdullah Muhsin for the personal attack on him which potentially puts his life in danger
b) an assurance that no further attacks on the UK and Iraqi trade unions occurs
c) more consultation and improved accountability within StWC to prevent such ill-considered and divisive statements in future
d) unity around the end to violence against Iraqi people and the imminent bloodbath in Fallujah
e) real practical solidarity support for the Iraqi trade unions
On the last point it was reported that Brendan Barber is being lobbied to hold a special TUC Conference on Iraq in the New Year. We should support that call and mobilise the UK trade union movement to give practical assistance to the Iraqi trade union organisations (not just the IFTU). This intitiative should be rolled out to the Region TUC's and local Trades Councils.
Regarding our own involvement in StWC, it is not at present clear to us whether any affiliation fee has been paid (if not it should be) but we believe we are a recognised affiliate. We should actively take up our rightful position on the Steering Committee and use our influence to reform the internal structures appropriately in the light of the StWC Officers' statement.
Martin Mayer
Debate on trade unions in Iraq
This is a personal view (by Martin Thomas), not a statement by the IWSG. It's my assessment of the debate on trade unions in Iraq at the Iraq Occupation Focus meeting in London on 9 November 2004.
About 50 people - many more than usual - were at this month's meeting of Iraq Occupation Focus to hear Sami Ramadani and Ewa Jasiewicz on "Trade unionism in occupied Iraq" (London, 9 November).
The first speech, Ewa's, was informative and sober, but entirely detached from the debate which dominated the rest of the meeting. Ewa described the activity of the Southern Oil Company Union in Basra, an IFTU affiliate with which she worked for some months; expressed doubts about Communist Party control in most of the IFTU and the IFTU's "ambiguous" stance on privatisation; and mentioned the Federation of Workers' Councils and Unions of Iraq, which she saw as "more grass-roots" than the IFTU but "naive" in its implacable opposition to what it calls "Islamic terrorism".
Sami Ramadani's speech covered the same ground as his widely circulated letter to Alex Gordon. The Communist Party of Iraq, he said, is collaborating with the occupation, and the IFTU under CP leadership "diverts the Iraqi working class from the main contradiction". The IFTU are "Quislings".
I argued that to support the Iraqi labour movement, including against the Islamist militias, should be our priority.
The CP's "realpolitik" - trying to get the best deal by working with whatever power-that-be it thinks most amenable - is wretched. But a trade union with bad politics is a very different matter from a Quisling organisation. Quisling was a fascist!
We want a free Iraq with free trade unions and no occupation. For a labour movement to build itself up, using the de facto openings for free organisation that exist now, and then play a central role in ending the occupation, is a possible route to that. For the labour movement to be crushed as "Quislings" in the cause of anti-imperialism, and then to hope for the triumphant Islamists to allow free unions to emerge at a later stage, is not.
Not just the IFTU but all the main trade unions and communist groups in Iraq oppose the Islamist militias. Activists in Britain should not dismiss their views.
All the other speakers favoured Sami Ramadani's view. Arguments included the following:
* "Collusion" by the IFTU with the occupation was something qualitatively worse than "bad politics". (So class collusion is venial, but national apostasy is a mortal sin?)
* There really is no labour movement in Iraq - only a shell, only union offices. (So what about the struggles and organisations which Ewa had described? So, if the union movement is weak, and some of it is more hopeful sketch than reality, then it doesn't matter if it is branded as fascist and crushed?)
* The Communist Party of Iraq became fascist when it joined the Ba'thist government in the mid-1970s. (The same as the Social-Democratic Party of Germany was deemed by the ultra-left Stalinists of 1928-33 to have become "social-fascist" when it collaborated with the ultra-right Freikorps in 1919?)
* Any labour movement that supports an occupation becomes fascist.
(So when it accepted the Treaty of Versailles the Social-Democratic Party of Germany became... fascist? The All India Trade Union Congress, led by the Communist Party of India, became fascist when the CP line during World War Two was to support Britain?)
* The imperialists say that the Iraqi militias are Islamist and terrorist, and that they would clash with each other in civil war if the occupation troops vanished tomorrow. "We must combat their propaganda".
So when the rulers of the West were saying that the USSR was a tyranny, we should have insisted that it was a paradise? When the US said that victory for the NLF in Vietnam and the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia would lead to police states, we were duty bound to deny it?
An "opposition to imperialism" which can sustain itself only by pretending that any force opposed to the USA must automatically be benign is made of thin stuff!
On a secondary but telling level, I found this insistence that any recognition of class conflicts within Iraqi politics must be rejected as "diverting from the main contradiction" (with "imperialism") doubly unimpressive because, in an earlier quick practical discussion, we had found that only four or five of the fifty enthusiasts present had attended either of the two recent protests against the US blitz on Fallujah, and I was apparently the only person present who had attended both.
Sami Ramadani concluded by saying flatly (as he did not in his letter to Alex Gordon) that the IFTU is "not a working-class organisation".
He "reserved judgement" on the Federation of Workers' Councils and Unions, believing that their recent denunciation of Islamist attacks on women was "disgusting" at a time when Fallujah was under attack by US forces.
About 50 people - many more than usual - were at this month's meeting of Iraq Occupation Focus to hear Sami Ramadani and Ewa Jasiewicz on "Trade unionism in occupied Iraq" (London, 9 November).
The first speech, Ewa's, was informative and sober, but entirely detached from the debate which dominated the rest of the meeting. Ewa described the activity of the Southern Oil Company Union in Basra, an IFTU affiliate with which she worked for some months; expressed doubts about Communist Party control in most of the IFTU and the IFTU's "ambiguous" stance on privatisation; and mentioned the Federation of Workers' Councils and Unions of Iraq, which she saw as "more grass-roots" than the IFTU but "naive" in its implacable opposition to what it calls "Islamic terrorism".
Sami Ramadani's speech covered the same ground as his widely circulated letter to Alex Gordon. The Communist Party of Iraq, he said, is collaborating with the occupation, and the IFTU under CP leadership "diverts the Iraqi working class from the main contradiction". The IFTU are "Quislings".
I argued that to support the Iraqi labour movement, including against the Islamist militias, should be our priority.
The CP's "realpolitik" - trying to get the best deal by working with whatever power-that-be it thinks most amenable - is wretched. But a trade union with bad politics is a very different matter from a Quisling organisation. Quisling was a fascist!
We want a free Iraq with free trade unions and no occupation. For a labour movement to build itself up, using the de facto openings for free organisation that exist now, and then play a central role in ending the occupation, is a possible route to that. For the labour movement to be crushed as "Quislings" in the cause of anti-imperialism, and then to hope for the triumphant Islamists to allow free unions to emerge at a later stage, is not.
Not just the IFTU but all the main trade unions and communist groups in Iraq oppose the Islamist militias. Activists in Britain should not dismiss their views.
All the other speakers favoured Sami Ramadani's view. Arguments included the following:
* "Collusion" by the IFTU with the occupation was something qualitatively worse than "bad politics". (So class collusion is venial, but national apostasy is a mortal sin?)
* There really is no labour movement in Iraq - only a shell, only union offices. (So what about the struggles and organisations which Ewa had described? So, if the union movement is weak, and some of it is more hopeful sketch than reality, then it doesn't matter if it is branded as fascist and crushed?)
* The Communist Party of Iraq became fascist when it joined the Ba'thist government in the mid-1970s. (The same as the Social-Democratic Party of Germany was deemed by the ultra-left Stalinists of 1928-33 to have become "social-fascist" when it collaborated with the ultra-right Freikorps in 1919?)
* Any labour movement that supports an occupation becomes fascist.
(So when it accepted the Treaty of Versailles the Social-Democratic Party of Germany became... fascist? The All India Trade Union Congress, led by the Communist Party of India, became fascist when the CP line during World War Two was to support Britain?)
* The imperialists say that the Iraqi militias are Islamist and terrorist, and that they would clash with each other in civil war if the occupation troops vanished tomorrow. "We must combat their propaganda".
So when the rulers of the West were saying that the USSR was a tyranny, we should have insisted that it was a paradise? When the US said that victory for the NLF in Vietnam and the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia would lead to police states, we were duty bound to deny it?
An "opposition to imperialism" which can sustain itself only by pretending that any force opposed to the USA must automatically be benign is made of thin stuff!
On a secondary but telling level, I found this insistence that any recognition of class conflicts within Iraqi politics must be rejected as "diverting from the main contradiction" (with "imperialism") doubly unimpressive because, in an earlier quick practical discussion, we had found that only four or five of the fifty enthusiasts present had attended either of the two recent protests against the US blitz on Fallujah, and I was apparently the only person present who had attended both.
Sami Ramadani concluded by saying flatly (as he did not in his letter to Alex Gordon) that the IFTU is "not a working-class organisation".
He "reserved judgement" on the Federation of Workers' Councils and Unions, believing that their recent denunciation of Islamist attacks on women was "disgusting" at a time when Fallujah was under attack by US forces.
Thursday, November 11
Who Defends Iraq's Workers?
Houzan Mahmoud
November 2004
Under the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein, workers had no right to organize or strike. There were trade unions, of course, but their leaders were the regime’s loyal collaborators, and the workers were often persecuted if the leaders reported them to the Ba’thist authorities. All the unions implemented the Ba’ath regime’s rules, and workers had no right to protest. This went on for more than 30 years, and the segregation of Iraqi workers from the rest of the world was very damaging to their struggle in Iraq. Now the US war on Iraq, followed by the occupation, has created huge unemployment in Iraq and destroyed civil society. Nor does the future look promising, with the installation – against the will of the people in
Iraq of a puppet Government which brings together the most right-wing forces tribal leaders,the religious mafia and nationalist and ethnocentric forces. In addition, the rise of political Islam in its various forms is resulting in a growing lack of security and an increase in terrorist activities,including hostage taking, beheading, veiling women and depriving women of work and education.
Workplaces have been turned into battlefields. In April 2004, aluminium and sanitary supplies factory workers of Nasserya refused to give way to the Moqtada Al-Sadr’s terror group’s wish to turn the factory into a site of confrontation with US forces. In Samawa too, unemployed workers protesting for their rights were attacked by Islamist forces. Both the occupation and political Islam have created chaos and uncertainty in Iraq. The occupation gives the Islamists the pretext to continue their terrorism in Iraq under the slogan that they are fighting the “enemy of Islam” or defending the “land of Arabs”. In reality, this as nothing to do with people’s demands and desires for real freedom and equality. Helping and supporting these reactionary forces under the illusion that these are “resistance” forces
will just further their terror and violence against the masses in Iraq – especially workers and women. Despite all this, the working class has been organizing and protesting for their rights. A Union of the Unemployed in Iraq (UUI) was formed, as the majority of workers became unemployed due to the war and occupation. They have organized at least 14 major protests in Baghdad and other cities and had a 45-day sit-in in front of the offices of Paul Bremer’s civil administration for Iraq. The leaders of the union have been arrested by the US forces in Baghdad for defending the rights of unemployed workers. The Federation of Workers Councils and Trade Unions in Iraq (FWCTUI), of which the Union of Unemployed is a member, was founded to organize workers in the unions and factories around a very progressive and secular agenda.It seeks to defend the rights of men and women workers at work, to have the right to organize unionsand to strike and to end all discrimination against female workers, guaranteeing full equality between men and women at work. These unions and workers councils soon became very popular in Iraq and many trade unions are requesting to join them. They are holding a conference on 25th November in
Basra. More than 25 unions are expected to attend to discuss issues of concern and elect a leadership. The Interim Government, illegally imposed on the people of Iraq, issued Article 16 on 28th January 2004, stating that the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) is the only legal union and the sole representatives
of workers in Iraq. This totally violates the rights of other unions like UUI and FWCTUI which have been in the forefront of many workers’ protests. In contrast, IFTU has little to offer and has been recognized by the Interim Government because this will best serve US plans for privatization in Iraq. This is a crucial time for workers faced with the two poles of terrorism from the US and from political Islam.
Support and international solidarity from all labour organizations, trade unions, left groups and individuals are urgently needed by the forces of humanity, secularism and egalitarianism. Support us in our struggle for freedom and equality in Iraq!
Houzan Mahmoud:
UK representative of the Organization of
Women’s Freedom in Iraq
as well as an activist
for the UUI and FWCTUI.
For more information on the Union
of the Unemployed in Iraq
see:
www.uuiraq.org.
Monday, November 8
IOF meeting on Trade Unionism in Iraq
Iraq Occupation Focus organising meeting:
Tuesday, 9th November, 7:15pm
SOAS, Room G50, Thornhaugh Street, London WC1
Discussion: Trade unionism in occupied Iraq
With Sami Ramadani and Ewa Jasiewicz.
Tuesday, 9th November, 7:15pm
SOAS, Room G50, Thornhaugh Street, London WC1
Discussion: Trade unionism in occupied Iraq
With Sami Ramadani and Ewa Jasiewicz.
More news on Iraq's debts
From Jubilee Iraq: Negotiations on Saddam's debts are reaching their most critical phase. The "Paris Club" cartel of major creditors is meeting on 17 November and you could make a massive contribution by coming to Paris to show the world that Iraq will not be pushed around by Saddam's creditors. The Paris Club are not accepting that most of the debt is odious and are using it to force through the IMF's economic policies. Jubilee Iraq's newly appointed Iraq Director, Dr.Shakir Issa, has been make tremendous progress raising awareness about the debt threat, and has received strong support from Grand Ayatollah Sistani and others.
Meanwhile journalist Naomi Klein has been helping us to shed light on the murky issue of reparations, particularly the attempt by James Baker's Carlyle Group to help Kuwait receive full payment, contradicting Baker's supposed role as Bush's special envoy to help cancel the debt.
Protest outside the Paris Club, Wednesday 17 November 2004 from 3-6pm This protest is being organized at very short notice because the date of the Paris Club was only recently made public. This is one of the most important events for Iraq's future, and you could make a big impact by day off work and coming. 19 creditors, including America, Britain, France, Germany and Russia, are meeting behind closed doors to decide how much debt payment they will squeeze from Iraq in 2005 and beyond. They refuse to admit that this debt is illegitimate and are demanding that, in return for as little as 50% debt reduction, Iraq must fulfil dangerous economic conditions including increasing fuel prices, ending food rations and privatising many state enterprises.
Together with the French and German debt campaigns, Jubilee Iraq has called a demonstration at the Bercy, the French Treasury, where the Paris Club will be meeting to play judge, jury and executioner. We are calling for a better treatment for Iraq, based on a fair arbitration tribunal and the odious debt legal doctrine. The peaceful demonstration - including Iraqi dancing, prayer and speeches (and any other ideas you have) - will take place on the Wednesday 17th November between 3-6pm at Place du Bataillon du Pacifique outside the Bercy metro station (on metro lines 14 or 6, in the South East corner of central Paris, just South of Gare du Lyon). Although this demonstration is primarily for Iraqis, we warmly welcome the solidarity of other Arabs and Europeans as well, so please come along!
Please let us know you're coming: If you are coming from France please contact Zaid Al-Ali on +33 623152633, if you are coming from UK or elsewhere please contact Yasar Mohammed Salman Hasan on +44 7932545707 or yasar@yastec.freeserve.co.uk, and hopefully we can arrange for groups to travel together. More information, including maps, flights, trains. Media: French media contact Zaid Al-Ali on +33 623152633, other media contact Justin Alexander on +44 7813 137171.
The Paris Club, together with the IMF, traditional make debt relief conditional on countries implementing a wide range of economic policies which are often damaging and certainly limit the countries' freedom to make decisions based on the needs of their people. This is now happening to Iraq. These policies are outlined in the Letter of Intent, a few selection so which follow.
"21. In the area of structural reform, a new foreign direct investment law was enacted that allows ownership in most sectors of the economy (except natural resources, real estate, and insurance) providing national treatment for foreign firms."
"32. By end-2004 the government will increase the domestic prices of oil derivative products (including gasoline), a measure that is expected to bring US$1 billion in revenue in 2005. This initial adjustment is part of a plan to bring domestic energy prices to cost recovery levels by end-2009.." In other words subsidies on fuel will be phased out completely over five years.
The next section on "broadening the tax base" mentions new taxes, including on cell phones and cars, which will affect a large part of the population.
"37. The government is also committed to enhance the effectiveness of the social safety net by moving over the medium term from a food ration system to a cash distribution system targeted at the poor and unemployed." This might be sensible, however the danger is that the definition of "the poor" could be much narrower than the current ration system and the amount of "cash distribution" could be less compared to the current ration. The World Food Program recently estimated that 25% of families are dependent on the ration and would face serious nutritional problems without it, while War Child's estimate for the Southern four governorates is much higher - 76% of families there are dependent on the ration.
Meanwhile journalist Naomi Klein has been helping us to shed light on the murky issue of reparations, particularly the attempt by James Baker's Carlyle Group to help Kuwait receive full payment, contradicting Baker's supposed role as Bush's special envoy to help cancel the debt.
Protest outside the Paris Club, Wednesday 17 November 2004 from 3-6pm This protest is being organized at very short notice because the date of the Paris Club was only recently made public. This is one of the most important events for Iraq's future, and you could make a big impact by day off work and coming. 19 creditors, including America, Britain, France, Germany and Russia, are meeting behind closed doors to decide how much debt payment they will squeeze from Iraq in 2005 and beyond. They refuse to admit that this debt is illegitimate and are demanding that, in return for as little as 50% debt reduction, Iraq must fulfil dangerous economic conditions including increasing fuel prices, ending food rations and privatising many state enterprises.
Together with the French and German debt campaigns, Jubilee Iraq has called a demonstration at the Bercy, the French Treasury, where the Paris Club will be meeting to play judge, jury and executioner. We are calling for a better treatment for Iraq, based on a fair arbitration tribunal and the odious debt legal doctrine. The peaceful demonstration - including Iraqi dancing, prayer and speeches (and any other ideas you have) - will take place on the Wednesday 17th November between 3-6pm at Place du Bataillon du Pacifique outside the Bercy metro station (on metro lines 14 or 6, in the South East corner of central Paris, just South of Gare du Lyon). Although this demonstration is primarily for Iraqis, we warmly welcome the solidarity of other Arabs and Europeans as well, so please come along!
Please let us know you're coming: If you are coming from France please contact Zaid Al-Ali on +33 623152633, if you are coming from UK or elsewhere please contact Yasar Mohammed Salman Hasan on +44 7932545707 or yasar@yastec.freeserve.co.uk, and hopefully we can arrange for groups to travel together. More information, including maps, flights, trains. Media: French media contact Zaid Al-Ali on +33 623152633, other media contact Justin Alexander on +44 7813 137171.
The Paris Club, together with the IMF, traditional make debt relief conditional on countries implementing a wide range of economic policies which are often damaging and certainly limit the countries' freedom to make decisions based on the needs of their people. This is now happening to Iraq. These policies are outlined in the Letter of Intent, a few selection so which follow.
"21. In the area of structural reform, a new foreign direct investment law was enacted that allows ownership in most sectors of the economy (except natural resources, real estate, and insurance) providing national treatment for foreign firms."
"32. By end-2004 the government will increase the domestic prices of oil derivative products (including gasoline), a measure that is expected to bring US$1 billion in revenue in 2005. This initial adjustment is part of a plan to bring domestic energy prices to cost recovery levels by end-2009.." In other words subsidies on fuel will be phased out completely over five years.
The next section on "broadening the tax base" mentions new taxes, including on cell phones and cars, which will affect a large part of the population.
"37. The government is also committed to enhance the effectiveness of the social safety net by moving over the medium term from a food ration system to a cash distribution system targeted at the poor and unemployed." This might be sensible, however the danger is that the definition of "the poor" could be much narrower than the current ration system and the amount of "cash distribution" could be less compared to the current ration. The World Food Program recently estimated that 25% of families are dependent on the ration and would face serious nutritional problems without it, while War Child's estimate for the Southern four governorates is much higher - 76% of families there are dependent on the ration.
Sunday, November 7
Rail workers murdered in Iraq
The IFTU reports today (Wednesday 3 November 2004) that 4 of their members, named as Kasim Shahen and Mathem Shaker (both train drivers), Ahmed Ibrahim (train controller) and Ziad Tariq a security guard, were killed on the night of Wednesday 27/Thursday 28 October when their train was attacked on the railway line between Mosul and Baghdad.
The 2 train drivers, a controller (guard) and a security guard working for the Railways of the Iraqi Republic (IRR) were reported to have been killedtheir bodies mutilated and burnt by armed terrorists. The freight train
that was attacked was reported to have been carrying consumer goods.
The 2 train drivers, a controller (guard) and a security guard working for the Railways of the Iraqi Republic (IRR) were reported to have been killedtheir bodies mutilated and burnt by armed terrorists. The freight train
that was attacked was reported to have been carrying consumer goods.
Launch meeting of a campaign against Political Islam in Iraq
Event to launch a campaign against political Islam and its atrocities against people in particular against women in Iraq. From 6.30-10.00PM on Thursday 11/11/2004. Union of London University (ULU), Bloomsbury room, second floor. Malet Street London WC1.
Topics of this Event will be:
*The need for this campaign and ways around fighting political Islam in Iraq and on an international level.
*The crimes of Political Islamic groups in Iraq against women.
*The latest news and updates on the situation in Iraq under occupation and the crimes of Political Islamic groups.
* News about what is happening in Falluja and other cities in Iraq.
Speakers: Nadia Mahmood: Worker Communist party of Iraq; Sacha Ismail, AWL; Azam Kamguian: Organisation for emancipation of women in Iran; Tina Becker: Communist party of Great Britain; Houzan Mahmoud: Organisation of Women's Freedom in Iraq; Louise Gold: National Union of Students women's committee. For more information please contact the organisers: Houzan Mahmoud and Sacha Ismail on 07956883001 & 07796690874. Email houzan73@yahoo.co.uk, sacha_isma@hotmail.com
Topics of this Event will be:
*The need for this campaign and ways around fighting political Islam in Iraq and on an international level.
*The crimes of Political Islamic groups in Iraq against women.
*The latest news and updates on the situation in Iraq under occupation and the crimes of Political Islamic groups.
* News about what is happening in Falluja and other cities in Iraq.
Speakers: Nadia Mahmood: Worker Communist party of Iraq; Sacha Ismail, AWL; Azam Kamguian: Organisation for emancipation of women in Iran; Tina Becker: Communist party of Great Britain; Houzan Mahmoud: Organisation of Women's Freedom in Iraq; Louise Gold: National Union of Students women's committee. For more information please contact the organisers: Houzan Mahmoud and Sacha Ismail on 07956883001 & 07796690874. Email houzan73@yahoo.co.uk, sacha_isma@hotmail.com
More action against the Fallujah assault
About 200 people joined a protest today in Parliament Square, London,
against the USA's planned blitz on Fallujah, organised from the ad hoc
meeting on 26 October.
Next actions planned;
Wednesday 10 November, from 5.30pm at Downing Street
The day the blitz starts, from 5pm at Downing Street
Both called by Stop The War Coalition
against the USA's planned blitz on Fallujah, organised from the ad hoc
meeting on 26 October.
Next actions planned;
Wednesday 10 November, from 5.30pm at Downing Street
The day the blitz starts, from 5pm at Downing Street
Both called by Stop The War Coalition
Naomi Klein speaks about Iraq in London
Naomi Klein on the corporate invasion of Iraq
Wednesday 24 November, 2004 - 18:30
Friends House, Euston Rd, London NW1
Book seats in advance at the War on Want website,
http://www.waronwant.org/naomiklein. Sponsored by Iraq Occupation
Focus, Jubilee Iraq, Voices in the Wilderness, and War on Want.
Proceeds to the Southern Oil Company Union in Basra and to other Iraqi
civil society groups.
Wednesday 24 November, 2004 - 18:30
Friends House, Euston Rd, London NW1
Book seats in advance at the War on Want website,
http://www.waronwant.org/naomiklein. Sponsored by Iraq Occupation
Focus, Jubilee Iraq, Voices in the Wilderness, and War on Want.
Proceeds to the Southern Oil Company Union in Basra and to other Iraqi
civil society groups.
Wednesday, November 3
Cambridge TUC leaflet on Iraqi Trade Unions
IRAQI TRADE UNIONISTS NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
The collapse of the Iraqi yellow ‘trade unions’:
After over three decades of repression under the Baath Party, Iraqi workers are now organising their own independent trade unions.
Trade unions did not exist in Iraq under Saddam Hussein. The so-called ‘trade unions’ which did exist were government-controlled organisations. They existed to control and repress workers, not to represent their interests. These ‘trade unions’ belonged to the state, not to the workers.
When the Saddam regime collapsed, so too did the fake ‘trade unions’. In their place emerged trade unions set up by Iraqi workers themselves.
The Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions:
In May of 2003 the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) was set up. Affiliates of the IFTU include the Oil and Gas Workers Union, the Railway Workers Union, the Transport and Communication Workers Union, and the Construction and Woodworkers Union. In June of this year six of the IFTU’s constituent national unions held their first open and free conference in Baghdad.
The Federation of Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq:
In December of 2003 the Federation of Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq (FWCUI) was set up. It publishes a monthly paper called “Workers Councils” and organises the Union of the Unemployed of Iraq (UUI) to campaign for the rights of the unemployed. In November of this year the FWCUI will be organising a conference in Basra, which representatives from 25 trade unions and workers organisations will be attending, in order to establish a southern regional union federation.
TUC support for the new trade unions:
The new trade unions which have been set up by Iraqi workers face hostility and attack from the occupying forces and the Allawi government, and from the murderous activities of the various Baathist and Islamist armed groups in Iraq. They need the support of trade unionists in Britain and elsewhere. As the motion passed at this year’s TUC congress put it:
“Congress re-affirms its opposition to the occupation of Iraq … (and) believes it is now more vital than ever to support the new independent trade union movement as an essential force in the creation of a secular, democratic free Iraq, free from fundamentalism and Saddam’s Baathism.”
The motion went on to call for financial and material support for Iraqi trade unions, the twinning of Iraqi and British trade union organisations, visits to Iraq by British trade unionists, and building links between Iraqi women trade unionists and their British counterparts.
Cambridge Trades Union Council:
Cambridge and District Trades Union Council welcomes the passing of this motion by the TUC. We want to build support in Cambridge for the trade union solidarity which the motion advocates. Recent meetings of the Trades Council have been addressed by spokespersons for the IFTU and the FWCUI in Britain.
Whatever differences of opinion may exist between the various unions in Iraq, or between unions in this country and those in Iraq, Iraqi trade unions must be supported in their struggle for existence and for workers rights. If the fledgling union movement in Iraq is crushed, it will be a disaster not just for workers in Iraq but also for workers throughout the Middle East.
What you can do to help:
* If your union branch wants to invite in a speaker on behalf of the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions, contact Abdullah Muhsin at addullahmuhsin@iraqitradeunions.org or write to the IFTU at IFTU, C/O ICTUR International Head Office, UCATT House, Abbeville Road, London SW4 9RL. Donations should be sent to the same address. (Make cheques payable to: Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions.)
* If your union branch wants to invite in a speaker on behalf of the Federation of Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq or the Union of the Unemployed in Iraq , contact Houzan Mahmoud at houzan73@yahoo.co.uk or write to the FWCUI at FWCUI, PO Box 1575, Ilford, London IG1 3BZ. Donations should be sent to the same address. (Make cheques payable to: UUI.)
* The TUC has set up a “TUC Aid Appeal for Iraq.” The appeal is raising money for all trade unions in Iraq, and aims to inject funds as close to the grassroots as possible. Further information about the appeal can be accessed through the home webpage of the TUC (tuc.org.uk). The TUC website also includes a downloadable copy of a report by an international trade union delegation to Iraq in February of this year.
* For up-to-date news about trade unions in Iraq, and about trade union solidarity campaigns and activities in this country to help Iraqi trade unionists, log on to the Iraq page of www.labourstart.org
* If you are a local trade unionist willing to give up some time to help build support locally for Iraqi trade unions, please contact the Trades Council secretary at stancrooke@yahoo.com
If your trade union branch is not yet affiliated to Cambridge and District Trades Union Council, please contact the Trades Council secretary (e-mail address above) for further information about affiliation.
The collapse of the Iraqi yellow ‘trade unions’:
After over three decades of repression under the Baath Party, Iraqi workers are now organising their own independent trade unions.
Trade unions did not exist in Iraq under Saddam Hussein. The so-called ‘trade unions’ which did exist were government-controlled organisations. They existed to control and repress workers, not to represent their interests. These ‘trade unions’ belonged to the state, not to the workers.
When the Saddam regime collapsed, so too did the fake ‘trade unions’. In their place emerged trade unions set up by Iraqi workers themselves.
The Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions:
In May of 2003 the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) was set up. Affiliates of the IFTU include the Oil and Gas Workers Union, the Railway Workers Union, the Transport and Communication Workers Union, and the Construction and Woodworkers Union. In June of this year six of the IFTU’s constituent national unions held their first open and free conference in Baghdad.
The Federation of Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq:
In December of 2003 the Federation of Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq (FWCUI) was set up. It publishes a monthly paper called “Workers Councils” and organises the Union of the Unemployed of Iraq (UUI) to campaign for the rights of the unemployed. In November of this year the FWCUI will be organising a conference in Basra, which representatives from 25 trade unions and workers organisations will be attending, in order to establish a southern regional union federation.
TUC support for the new trade unions:
The new trade unions which have been set up by Iraqi workers face hostility and attack from the occupying forces and the Allawi government, and from the murderous activities of the various Baathist and Islamist armed groups in Iraq. They need the support of trade unionists in Britain and elsewhere. As the motion passed at this year’s TUC congress put it:
“Congress re-affirms its opposition to the occupation of Iraq … (and) believes it is now more vital than ever to support the new independent trade union movement as an essential force in the creation of a secular, democratic free Iraq, free from fundamentalism and Saddam’s Baathism.”
The motion went on to call for financial and material support for Iraqi trade unions, the twinning of Iraqi and British trade union organisations, visits to Iraq by British trade unionists, and building links between Iraqi women trade unionists and their British counterparts.
Cambridge Trades Union Council:
Cambridge and District Trades Union Council welcomes the passing of this motion by the TUC. We want to build support in Cambridge for the trade union solidarity which the motion advocates. Recent meetings of the Trades Council have been addressed by spokespersons for the IFTU and the FWCUI in Britain.
Whatever differences of opinion may exist between the various unions in Iraq, or between unions in this country and those in Iraq, Iraqi trade unions must be supported in their struggle for existence and for workers rights. If the fledgling union movement in Iraq is crushed, it will be a disaster not just for workers in Iraq but also for workers throughout the Middle East.
What you can do to help:
* If your union branch wants to invite in a speaker on behalf of the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions, contact Abdullah Muhsin at addullahmuhsin@iraqitradeunions.org or write to the IFTU at IFTU, C/O ICTUR International Head Office, UCATT House, Abbeville Road, London SW4 9RL. Donations should be sent to the same address. (Make cheques payable to: Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions.)
* If your union branch wants to invite in a speaker on behalf of the Federation of Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq or the Union of the Unemployed in Iraq , contact Houzan Mahmoud at houzan73@yahoo.co.uk or write to the FWCUI at FWCUI, PO Box 1575, Ilford, London IG1 3BZ. Donations should be sent to the same address. (Make cheques payable to: UUI.)
* The TUC has set up a “TUC Aid Appeal for Iraq.” The appeal is raising money for all trade unions in Iraq, and aims to inject funds as close to the grassroots as possible. Further information about the appeal can be accessed through the home webpage of the TUC (tuc.org.uk). The TUC website also includes a downloadable copy of a report by an international trade union delegation to Iraq in February of this year.
* For up-to-date news about trade unions in Iraq, and about trade union solidarity campaigns and activities in this country to help Iraqi trade unionists, log on to the Iraq page of www.labourstart.org
* If you are a local trade unionist willing to give up some time to help build support locally for Iraqi trade unions, please contact the Trades Council secretary at stancrooke@yahoo.com
If your trade union branch is not yet affiliated to Cambridge and District Trades Union Council, please contact the Trades Council secretary (e-mail address above) for further information about affiliation.
Monday, November 1
Organisation of Women's Freedom in Iraq condemns Islamists
Communiqué of the Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq on criminal acts committed by Islamists during the month of Ramadan against Women in Iraq and the Rejection and Resistance of Women against Islamic Terrorism.
Terrorist acts against women in Iraq by Islamic groups have increased dramatically in recent months and reached an unprecedented level under the rubric of “observing sanctities during Ramadan.” A fascist Islamic group called “Mujahideen Shura Group” has warned that it will kill any women who are seen on street unveiled whether by themselves or with a male companion!
In the northern city of Mosul, Christian women are targets of a killing, kidnapping and rape campaign. One such barbaric crime took place in this city where two women were kidnapped and raped by multiple men and then were sold as female slaves to another group of men. They were again raped repeatedly for four days before they managed to escape!
In the city of Falluja, at the Mujahideen congress held on October 20, 2004, the Islamic criminal Abdulla al-Janabi and Falluja’s Shura Council gave a fatwa (religious decree) that Mujahideen fighters should rape girls at age 10 before they are raped by Americans!
Scores of university girls have been beaten up, often severely, for wearing jeans or for not wearing hijab (Islamic veil). Women who go to hair dressing salons are frequently attacked by Islamists and their hair is cut in a public display of shaming.
Thousands of leaflets are distributed across the country everyday warning women against going out unveiled, putting on make up, shaking hands or mixing with men. More than 1000 female university students have taken leave of their studies to protect themselves against the terrorism of Islamists.
They kidnap women in the name of “resistance” and only release them after receiving thousands of dollars in ransom for each woman! They kidnap Iraqi and foreign women alike. Margaret Hassan, a British woman known for her help and service to the Iraqi people for over three decades was taken hostage by an Islamic terrorist groups asking for millions of dollars in ransom, otherwise she will be killed like other foreigners.
Today, with the absence of any form of state in Iraq, the terrorist Islamists are seeking to implement their medieval laws through fear and horror. They have come to Iraq with slogans and banners holding signs of swords dripping blood. They are striving to Islamicize Iraqi society through terror. Everyday they are killing Christians, university academics and lecturers, secular personalities, youth, children and any other creature moving on the ground!
This is the benefit of the liberation that the US government has brought to the Iraqi masses. The only true benefit has come to the Islamic terrorist groups, which are free to attack, and kill women!
Women in Iraq and the Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq expose these forces, which try to delude people by posing as “resistance” to the US occupiers. The Islamic movement has made it clear that even if the US forces are expelled or withdraw from Iraq , they will declare Jihad against any secular government! They want to establish a Caliphate (Islamic government) where women are will be set back by 1400 years! The Islamic terrorists have come with their bayonets directed at women in Iraq.
We must stand up to the groups of Islamic terrorism in Iraq. There is no other alternative.
The Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq announces a local and international campaign against Islamic terrorism. OWFI strongly opposes and fights against this terrorism. We call on the masses and all women from north to south to join our campaign and stand up against the barbarism of misogynist Islamists. We calls on all progressives, liberationists and defenders of women’s rights and human rights, including civil rights and children’s rights, to support the Organizations of Women’s Freedom in Iraq in its struggle against political Islam.
Today the movement for women’s rights and a civil society in Iraq stands up to oppose and end Islamic terrorism and the US occupation of Iraq. As long as the occupation continues, Islamic terrorism against the society will flourish and grow. Support the secular women’s movement!
Join our campaign against Islamic terrorism in Iraq!
Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq
Al- Fardawse Square Area – Al Za’im Street – Next to Al Saadoun Private Hospital
Tel no. 011 964 17 170953- Iraq- yanar2002@hotmail.com
0044 789 00 65933- nadia64uk@yahoo.com
www.equalityiniraq.com
Terrorist acts against women in Iraq by Islamic groups have increased dramatically in recent months and reached an unprecedented level under the rubric of “observing sanctities during Ramadan.” A fascist Islamic group called “Mujahideen Shura Group” has warned that it will kill any women who are seen on street unveiled whether by themselves or with a male companion!
In the northern city of Mosul, Christian women are targets of a killing, kidnapping and rape campaign. One such barbaric crime took place in this city where two women were kidnapped and raped by multiple men and then were sold as female slaves to another group of men. They were again raped repeatedly for four days before they managed to escape!
In the city of Falluja, at the Mujahideen congress held on October 20, 2004, the Islamic criminal Abdulla al-Janabi and Falluja’s Shura Council gave a fatwa (religious decree) that Mujahideen fighters should rape girls at age 10 before they are raped by Americans!
Scores of university girls have been beaten up, often severely, for wearing jeans or for not wearing hijab (Islamic veil). Women who go to hair dressing salons are frequently attacked by Islamists and their hair is cut in a public display of shaming.
Thousands of leaflets are distributed across the country everyday warning women against going out unveiled, putting on make up, shaking hands or mixing with men. More than 1000 female university students have taken leave of their studies to protect themselves against the terrorism of Islamists.
They kidnap women in the name of “resistance” and only release them after receiving thousands of dollars in ransom for each woman! They kidnap Iraqi and foreign women alike. Margaret Hassan, a British woman known for her help and service to the Iraqi people for over three decades was taken hostage by an Islamic terrorist groups asking for millions of dollars in ransom, otherwise she will be killed like other foreigners.
Today, with the absence of any form of state in Iraq, the terrorist Islamists are seeking to implement their medieval laws through fear and horror. They have come to Iraq with slogans and banners holding signs of swords dripping blood. They are striving to Islamicize Iraqi society through terror. Everyday they are killing Christians, university academics and lecturers, secular personalities, youth, children and any other creature moving on the ground!
This is the benefit of the liberation that the US government has brought to the Iraqi masses. The only true benefit has come to the Islamic terrorist groups, which are free to attack, and kill women!
Women in Iraq and the Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq expose these forces, which try to delude people by posing as “resistance” to the US occupiers. The Islamic movement has made it clear that even if the US forces are expelled or withdraw from Iraq , they will declare Jihad against any secular government! They want to establish a Caliphate (Islamic government) where women are will be set back by 1400 years! The Islamic terrorists have come with their bayonets directed at women in Iraq.
We must stand up to the groups of Islamic terrorism in Iraq. There is no other alternative.
The Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq announces a local and international campaign against Islamic terrorism. OWFI strongly opposes and fights against this terrorism. We call on the masses and all women from north to south to join our campaign and stand up against the barbarism of misogynist Islamists. We calls on all progressives, liberationists and defenders of women’s rights and human rights, including civil rights and children’s rights, to support the Organizations of Women’s Freedom in Iraq in its struggle against political Islam.
Today the movement for women’s rights and a civil society in Iraq stands up to oppose and end Islamic terrorism and the US occupation of Iraq. As long as the occupation continues, Islamic terrorism against the society will flourish and grow. Support the secular women’s movement!
Join our campaign against Islamic terrorism in Iraq!
Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq
Al- Fardawse Square Area – Al Za’im Street – Next to Al Saadoun Private Hospital
Tel no. 011 964 17 170953- Iraq- yanar2002@hotmail.com
0044 789 00 65933- nadia64uk@yahoo.com
www.equalityiniraq.com
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