CPD (USA) Statement on the murder of Hadi Salih

OPPONENTS OF THE OCCUPATION CONDEMN
ATTACKS ON IRAQI TRADE UNIONISTS

We, who opposed the U.S.-led war on Iraq and who call for an immediate end
to the occupation of that country, are appalled by the torture and
assassination in Baghdad on January 4, 2005 of Hadi Salih, International
Officer of the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU). There are also
disturbing reports of intimidation, death threats and murders targeting
other IFTU members, trade unionists in general, and political activists.

We utterly condemn the assassination of Hadi Salih. We call upon all sides
in the conflict in Iraq to respect the rights of non-combatants as required
by international law and to recognize the rights of workers to organize
freely, without threat or harm, in trade unions of their own choosing in
accordance with International Labor Organization (ILO) standards.

We believe that the physical targeting of trade unionists is in no way
politically or morally acceptable, even though we disagree strongly with
the IFTU's support of UN Resolution 1546, which supports the U.S. military
presence in Iraq. This resolution has been used by the Bush Administration
to justify keeping U.S. troops in the country.

We also oppose the victory of those elements of the resistance whose agenda
is to impose a repressive, authoritarian regime on the Iraqi people,
whether that regime is Baathist or theocratic-fundamentalist. We do not
know whether such authoritarian elements have gained decisive control over
the resistance to the U.S. forces and their Iraqi and international allies.
We do know, however, that the continuing occupation of Iraq, which grows
more brutal with every passing day, only strengthens these elements,
increases their influence over the resistance and makes their ultimate
victory more likely.

We further oppose the occupation because it is part and parcel of an
imperial U.S. foreign policy that shores up undemocratic regimes like those
of Saudi Arabia and Egypt, gives one-sided support to Israel against the
Palestinians, and promotes unjust, inequitable economic policies throughout
the world. Not only in Iraq but throughout the Middle East and globally
U.S. foreign and military policy either directly or indirectly subverts
freedom and democracy.