Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/367/6019
From The Socialist newspaper, 23 October 2004
Blair lies, thousands die
Stop The Warmongers
"THIS IS a political game to help George Bush win the election - and it
stinks". That was how the father of one soldier killed in Iraq reacted to
reports that 650 British troops could be moved from the south of Iraq to more
dangerous 'hotspots' around Baghdad.
Rose Gentle from Scotland and Reggie Keys from North Wales spoke movingly at the anti-war demo last Sunday about the death of their sons. They blamed Tony Blair and branded him a war criminal.
Now many more sons face death in what defence secretary Geoff Hoon cynically called their "duty" to warmonger Bush and US imperialism.
Over 1,000 occupying troops have so far been killed in the war and occupation of Iraq - 90% of those from the US. Bush wants British soldiers to 'share more of the load' - die so that he can be re-elected.
The relentless violence is causing unrest among US forces. 17 reservists in one US unit refused to operate a fuel convoy which they called a "suicide mission".
Bush and Blair are being sucked ever deeper into the bloody vortex of Iraqi occupation, with Iraqi civilians and occupying troops paying with their lives.
The US are preparing a brutal ground offensive against Fallujah and other cities controlled by the Iraqi resistance. They want to 'pacify' these areas before holding elections in January next year. The last attempt at 'pacifying' Fallujah in April slaughtered up to 1,000 civilians, most of them women and children.
Now families are fleeing the city in their thousands as nightly bombardments by US gunships add to the grisly toll of civilian deaths - 30,000 killed so far throughout Iraq.
Bush and Blair are fighting an unwinnable war. Every day that the troops remain the violence will continue - even if elections go ahead in January. The Socialist Party calls for all occupying forces to be withdrawn immediately from Iraq and for the Iraqi people to determine their own future.
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In The Socialist 23 October 2004:
Workplace news and analysis
Vote 'No' To Agenda For Change
Boss's 15-year Pension 'Holiday'
Fight The Witchhunt In The Firefighters' Union
For A Fighting Unison Leadership
Socialist Party features
Capitalism Condemned But Where's The Alternative?
Black Gold Rush And Casino Capitalism
International socialist news and analysis
German Walkout Starts Fightback
Socialist MP Fights Sell-Off Fiasco
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