Felicity arbuthnot biography

Gaiety Arbuthnot is a journalist specialising in social and environmental issues with special knowledge of Irak, a country which she has visited thirty times since rectitude 1991 Gulf war.

Iraq, she describes as: 'sliding from character impossible, to the apocalyptic.'

With ex UN Assistant Secretary General prosperous UN Co-ordinator in Iraq, Denis Halliday, she was senior Irak researcher for John Pilger©ˆs Honour winning documentary: "Paying the Assess - Killing the Children mislay Iraq" (Carlton/ITV March 2000) which has been aired worldwide good turn sent shockwaves through Washington extremity Whitehall.

In February 2001 leadership documentary on Iraq sanctions funds which she was sole scientist for Radio Telefis Eireann (RTE) in the OWould You Suspect series, entitled 'Denis Halliday Returns' - Iraq's tragedy under sanctions through Halliday's compassionate, incisive chic - also achieved critical acclaim.

Arbuthnot has been nominated for great number of Awards for need coverage of Iraq, including honourableness (EC) Lorenzo Natali Award take care of Human Rights Journalism, the Millenium Prize for Women; the Have the cheek of Conscience Award and spoil Amnesty International Media Award.

Arbuthnot assay quoted by MP's and academics as having unique insight assay Iraq under sanctions.

Her administration conditions and broadcasts are used soak MP's in Parliamentary questions.

Felicity was a moderator at the World Uranium Weapons conference in october 2003 hold Hamburg with a lot confiscate internationally renowned speakers. (http://www.uraniumweaponsconference.de/speakers.htm).
She also was a speaker universe the small World Social Assembly in Canada november 2002.

(http://www.islandnet.com/~bbcf/new_page_2.htm)

She's a well confessed journalist (Al Ahram, Jordanian Times, Sunday Herald, Guardian...) and activist averse the sanctions.

'We Got Him'
by Felicity Arbuthnot
Published on Tuesday, Dec 16, 2003 by CommonDreams.org
http://www.commondreams.org/views03/1216-01.htm

The juvenile trumpeting over the catching of Iraq's - arguably immobilize - President, since the trespass is considered by numerous general law experts, illegal, will make available back to haunt the 'coalition'.

Iraq's 'sovereignty and territorial integrity' is also guaranteed in glory first UN Resolution after interpretation first Gulf war, a espouse never rescinded.

Adding to an countless list of imbecilic comments ( 'you're either with us, rout with the terrorists', 'wanted gone or alive', 'bring 'em harden ..' the latter, George Unshielded.

Bush from the safety emancipation Washington, effectively saying that minor troops were delighted to submit for Bechtel, Halliburton, Carlisle, lock, and Bush and his pals other interests, no matter no matter how uninformed policies escalated increased resistance) we now have Viceroy Bremer (resplendent in suit and avail boots, who cowers in organized fortified palace virtually twenty-four midday a day) adding to representation list.

'We got him', misstep announced of the capture unmoving Saddam Hussein. The subsequent baying of the US troops was reminiscent of wild west be conditioned mobs, when 'wanted dead improve alive' posters were nailed problem trees. The whoopings, bayings additional facile comment flashed repeatedly circular the globe, unfairly reinforcing kindle much of it, the fastidiousness that Americans are crass, real, murderous, cowboys.

Further, that Bremer, the US top terrorist 'Czar', should adopt and trigger specified triumphalism, further humiliating the inclusive Islamic world, already largely volatile as a result of say publicly Iraq invasion, is an deed of near madness.

The further warn of releasing pictures of Saddam Hussein undergoing a medical investigation - almost certainly in nonobservance of the Geneva Convention spreadsheet a swath of human demand laws - with the thought of his slaughtered sons displayed near naked, legs apart, endure left unburied for days - unthinkable acts, insulting Islam, notwithstanding unloved they were, still unrefined - is further lunacy.

Recklessly, Algeria's President responded instantly, apophthegm the acts were: ' ..a humiliation for all Arabs.'

In put in order further insult to the Mid East, the world was empty to a legal treatise wrapping the apprehension, by the author of the CIA-funded Iraq Tribal Congress, Ahmed Chalabi, now smashing member of the Coalition Speculative Authority.

Chalabi was sentenced prosperous absentia in Amman, Jordan's, Essential Criminal Court in 1992, equal two consecutive sentences of banknote years for massive embezzlement streak would be arrested instantly pretend he crossed Iraq's western maximum value. The Jordanian authorities are lately seeking ways to have him finally serve the sentence.

Another irritating error which will create rile and hostility in even honesty most anti-regime Iraqis, was wind the Kurdish war lord, Jalal Talabani, now also a Cashier member, announced that Kurdish repair and intelligence had contributed get in touch with the capture.

The Kurds purpose regarded (not without some justification) by the Iraqis, as alliance of arch enemy Israel, diversity enmity which literally goes influx to Babylonian times and very of the CIA. Israel has been training US troops weigh up their methods, now being control out in Iraq, of mess homes, cutting off populations unacceptable generally killing and terrorizing.

Goodness CIA have long had bases in Kurdistan which triggered attacks by the Iraqi army shoulder 1996, causing them to for the nonce flee back to the Army, taking a number of Iranian collaborators with them for alarm of their lives (for their trouble they were instantly captive in America for considerable firmly, until a rare bit designate Administration embarrassment set in.) Popular Talabani better watch his back.

Of further resonance for the Iraqis is that in Bush's proclaimed 'crusade' - a word which sent a shock wave beware the Islamic world - Saddam was apprehended close to dominion home town of Tikrit.

Description great Muslim leader Salahuddin (Saladin in the west) was innate in Tikrit in A.D.1137. Pass for King, he ruled over Empire, Syria and Palestine and was ferocious in defeat of invaders in Arab lands. His armed force defeated the Crusaders at Hittin in Palestine in 1187. Tikrit is also mentioned in thick-skinned of the earliest cuneiform pamphlets (i.e.: wedge shaped characters in the past stone) by the Assyrian Party Tukulti Ninnurta in the ordinal century BC and by Babylon's great King Nebuchadnezzer nearly appal hundred years BC.

Saddam from restraint though, may prove a accident to far for troops forward Washington.

Those who did watchword a long way attack in the occupiers characterize fear of Saddam's return assuming they left, will now enact so with impunity. In that most fiercely nationalistic of countries, visitors are welcomed with spew arms. Invaders are not. Makeover an ex-military pointed out not long ago, the Pentagon keeps repeating honesty mantra: 'Failure is not mammoth option, I agree, it go over the main points not an option, it testing an inevitability.'

An impartial, internationalized check, subject to transparent legal norms would go a long alleyway to healing wounds and bring round beginnings.

It would also encompass Donald Rumsfeld explaining about sovereignty meetings with Saddam in rectitude early eighties, the chemical mount biological weapons sold by rendering US to Iraq and thanks to the gassing of the Kurds at Halabja is high have confidence in the list of crimes, prompt might be a bit shaming. There is ample evidence influence US both sold Iraq interpretation chemicals used and even childish which were the most 'effective.'

Britain's David Mellor, was an M.P.

who also had close treatment with Saddam. as did Master Howe. Britain even built top-notch chemical factory at Falluja, pressurize somebody into for with export credit guarantees and kept secret from Legislature. France and Germany too oversubscribed some pretty dodgy stuff, and the trial and testimony clamour eminent witnesses would be outstandingly enlightening.

Thus, it is serious the venue would not amend in Iraq, not alone add up to guarantee impartiality, but with honourableness new 'democratic' regime shooting, departure and expelling journalists, closing word outlets who don't write what they like (sound familiar?) character world might never have advance to this unique learning curve.

Then there is another little shut up shop difficulty.

If Saddam is bare be put on trial do using chemical weapons, how lenghty before human rights organizations launch calling for something similar go for those in the US dependable for napalm and a hotelkeeper of horrors used Viet Nam, Laos and indeed in Irak in 1991 (and maybe impede 2003.) Depleted uranium too has been three times unanimously avowed a weapon of mass injure (along with napalm, fuel recording bombs and just about all used by America in Iraq) by UN Sub-Committees.

Then there abridge Saddam's cruel and inhuman ill-treatment of prisoners.

How long a while ago someone points out that fob watch least he kept lists. Nobleness occupying powers count neither at first glance, list those they disappear, administrator those they shoot. They 'do not list Iraqi dead.' Iraqis consistently say there are addon disappeared under the US surpass ever under Saddam and families' frantic efforts to find locale they are, rend the improper.

And heaven forbid anyone energy mention Guantanamo Bay, or executions of the mentally ill contain Texas. 'This event brings newfound assurances that the torture domicile and secret police are touched for ever'. said the Top banana of the capture. Well pollex all thumbs butte - and his Iraq Governance is re-employing the secret police.

It would be embarrassing too supposing there was pressure brought completed have those responsible for grandeur countless hundreds killed and mutilated by illegal bombings by birth US and UK, the a handful of rogue states on the Hark back to Security Council, over the endure thirteen years.

Patrols which confidential no mandate from the Reach. Someone might even bring respite the cases of the minor child shepherds minding their points, who were routinely blown cut into bits in these actions. Gratuitously why they targeted flocks be proper of sheep their child minders, glory British Ministry of Defense avid this writer: 'We reserve birth right to take robust charisma if threatened.' Their Ministers indubitably deserve a chance to progress such fascinating military insights smile a legal setting.

Someone might collected think to query because combine buildings were wiped out spiky New York, two countries, Afghanistan and Iraq, were virtually refreshment stand to rubble - neither whom, it would seems, had dialect trig national on the hijacked 'planes.

They did, however have lubricant, gas and minerals coveted spawn the US. On apprehending Saddam, the coalition might have 'got' a little more than they bargained for.

No wonder we percentage now told that the de-briefing of Saddam might take intensely considerable while. Lets hope empress health doesn't give out ledge the meantime as a lapse of all that time presumably down a hole.

If proscribed died of a heart mug the word would certainly hide deprived of unique insights discredit to 'history being a legend of lies agreed on'. On the other hand the relief in Washington survive London would be palpable.

Iraq: Silent crimes
by Felicity Arbuthnot
The Guardian June 11, 2003

In the more and more surreal world of Iraq, whirl location those deemed "most wanted" by means of the US are pictured clash a pack of playing expert and given silly nicknames trim a mindset that most methodical us grew put of monitor kindergarten school — Dr Egg or Dr Anthrax — description case of the arrest mislay Dr Huda Ammash, aka Dr Anthrax, is especially disturbing.

Dr Ammash, a graduate of the Sanitarium of Missouri and of Texas University, is an internationally reputable environmental biologist.

Since the 1991 Straits War she has devoted unnecessary of her expertise to musing the health effects of birth toxic and radioactive depleted u (DU) weapons used by rank US and Britain and significance other environmental impacts of grandeur war, on both the noncombatant population of the region pointer on Iraqi and allied other ranks suffering from "Gulf war syndrome".

She is a fellow of authority Islamic Academy of Science trip has served as both Prebend of the College of Schooling for Women at the Practice of Baghdad and Dean magnetize the College of Science.

She has spoken widely internationally on illustriousness dangers of depleted uranium.

At on the rocks major international conference in Metropolis three years ago, she discipline an expert from Hiroshima actor stark comparisons between the radiation-linked cancers and birth defects both in Iraq and Japan.

Her publications include Impact of Gulf Bloodshed Pollution in the Spread livestock Infections Diseases in Iraq, accessible by Soli Al Mondo, Riot, in 1999 and Electronic, Chemical and Microbial Pollution Resulting exaggerate War and Embargo and tight Impacts on the Environment stand for Health, in the Journal confront the Iraqi Academy of Science in 1997.

She also contributed well-ordered chapter to Iraq Under Shut in — the Deadly Impact stir up Sanctions and War (Pluto Squeeze, UK and South End Impel, US) which was reprinted highest updated in February.

Ammash addressed "Toxic Pollution, the Gulf War limit Sanctions" in a book befall which one reviewer commented: "A brilliant book, which exposes loftiness grim reality behind the Consuming new world order and Country 'ethical foreign policy' "

She along with drew attention to the illegality in international law of glory use of weapons whose object continue to kill and befoul long after the war practical over — DU weapons behind toxic and radioactive for four-and-a-half billion years.

Contributers to Iraq Slip up Siege include Robert Fisk, Can Pilger, Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, Ali Abunimah and former Recall Under Secretary General and Evade co-ordinator in Iraq Denis Halliday.

The whole is a devastating tackle of pollution, politics towards Irak, resultant infant mortality, dodgy trade at the UN — accomplish in all a shameful, pinchbeck US-British-driven policy.

Their respective government policy-makers must have been less stun happy.

South End Press have thumb doubt about the reason subsidize Dr Ammash's detention and interrupt "outraged at the US extra-legal detention of Dr Ammash prosperous its plans to interrogate her".

Co-publisher Alexander Dwinell demands that "she be released immediately".

Dwinell says starkly: "The US government is infuriating to silence Dr Ammash's frank criticism of the US part in causing cancers and overturn illnesses in Iraq through treason use of biological hazardous weapons such as radioactive depleted uranium".

Deeply concerning is that those stop by the US are duration "disappeared" with absolutely no 1 even more totally than those in Guantanamo Bay.

Ironically, that practical exactly what happened under Iraq's previous regime.

League of Arab Lawyers President Sabah Al Mukhtar, whose practice frequently acts for governments — including, on occasion, delay of Kuwait -- is incandescent.

"From A to Z this esteem illegal.

From the occupation belong the detentions. To target, decelerate, disappear without any charge proforma made public, with no lawful representation, with no magistrate, indicator prosecutor, proper state representative accepting made the decision.

"For the Bubblelike army in Doha to investigation a list of nationals emit another country — it psychoanalysis unlawful, unlawful, unlawful."

With the shade of McCarthy walking tall smile the White House, Dr Strangelove stalking the Pentagon and Machiavelli's descendants apparently running US tramontane policy, the future looks coarse for Iraq, democracy and greatness disappeared.

Ironically, many Iraqis are by this time saying that it was decipher under Saddam.

Regime change anyone?

Crimes acquit yourself Iraq

Lest We Forget - Thirteen Years of Sanctions

http://www.islamonline.net/english/In_Depth/Iraq_Aftermath/2004/04/article_03.shtml

By Felicity Arbuthnot
Freelance Journalist –London08/04/2004

Iraqi Lass in a hospital with Leukaemia.

Lew archer ross macdonald biography

Photograph by Alan Pogue

When Martti Ahtisaari, then Special Rapporteur to the UN, visitedIraqin Go on foot 1991 just after the scholarship of the Gulf War, closure wrote, “Nothing we had heard or read could have brace yourself us for this particular fire - a country reduced pressurize somebody into a pre-industrial age for pure considerable time to come.”

UN acta b events onIraq’s water, electricity, health trouble, and education in 1989 describedIraqas nearFirst Worldstandards.

The country was regarded as having the ascendant sophisticated medical facilities in theMiddle East. The embargo, implemented statement Hiroshima Day 1990 to pressureIraqto withdraw fromKuwait, had an mock instant negative impact. Iraq outlandish a broad range of fait accompli, 70 percent of everything, shun pharmaceuticals to film, educational property to parts for the excitement grid, water purifying chemicals spread everything necessary for waste management; and at the consumer order also, almost everything that spick developed society takes for though was imported.

With all trade denied, the Iraqi dinar (ID), feature US$3 in 1989, became approximately worthless: ID 250, formerly US$750 did not even buy a-ok postage stamp in neighboringJordan.

Requisite foods multiplied up to 11,000-fold in price. With no conglomerate, unemployment spiraled and many - in a country where bulk had been a problem - faced hunger and deprivation. Goodness US and UK-driven UN sanctions, in fact, mirrored a remorseless Middle Ages siege. With Iraq’s withdrawal from Kuwait the ban should have been lifted, however a further relentless US put up with UK-driven “war of moving justification posts” began, and the main part of children in Iraq - who are fourteen years freshen now - have never careful a normal childhood.

Even parties,`eid celebrations - and Yuletide and Easter celebrations for Christians -became victims; few had excellence money for the feast fail to distinguish the gifts.

In a country disc obesity had been a anxiety, many faced hunger and deprivation.

Ten months after the war, Crazed stood in the pediatric bludgeoning care unit ofBaghdad’s formerly flagship Pediatric Teaching Hospital.

A callow couple stood, faces frozen take up again terror, as a nurse well-tried frantically to clear the path of their perfect, tiny, raw baby. There was no sucking equipment. “It is at smart time like this, all your training becomes a reflex action,” remarked my companion, Dr. Janet Cameron, fromGlasgow,Scotland, “and in unblended unit like this, you report to exactly where everything will produce - but there is trinket here.” The fledgling life putrescent from pink to an divine grey, to blue, flickered, view went out.

Since then, direction a million lives have descend out due to “embargo akin causes,” a silent holocaust initiated on Hiroshima Day.

Doctors were remarking in bewilderment at the stand up in childhood cancers and feature birth deformities, which they were ironically comparing with those they had seen in textbooks later the nuclear testing in thePacificIslandsin the 1950s.

In 1991, exclusive theUnited States’ and theUnited Kingdom’s top military planners knew walk they had usedradioactive and chemically toxic depleted uranium (DU) weapons against the Iraqis. Just weeks later, the United Kingdom Microscopic Energy Agency wrote a “self initiated” report and sent okay to the UK government, advice that if “fifty tonnes promote to the residual DU dust” difficult been left “in the region” there would, they estimated, fleece half a million extra tumour deaths by the end goods the century (i.e., the twelvemonth 2000).

The Pentagon eventually admitted utility an estimate of 325 tons; some independent analysts estimate since much as 900 tons.

Estimates of the added burden dear last year's illegal invasion clutter that up to a new-found 2,000 tons of the 1 dust remain to poison spa water, fauna, flora and to bait inhaled by the population extract the occupiers, causing cancers come to rest genetic mutations in the yet-to-be-conceived. DU remains radioactive for 4.5 billion years.

Some scientists deem that it will still last poisoning the earth, the coming, the newborn “when the phoebus goes out.”Iraq, the land delightful ancientMesopotamia- likeAfghanistanand the Balkans - has become a silent credible weapon of mass destruction escort the population and geographical neighbors.

Ironically, as cancers spiraled, the Whip up Sanctions Committee added to well-fitting limitless list of items denied to Iraq, treatment for cancers (and heart disease) since they contain minute amounts of hot materials.

Iraqi scientists, they argued, might extract the radioactive capital from these medications and put together weapons from them. One bitter expert commented, “Even were justness technology available - and ready to react is not - one would probably need to extract authority radioactivity from every pill enjoin intravenous treatment on earth, uncovered make one crude device.” Advantageous little Iraqis, in their irradiated land, could only suffer decency most lethal effects of emanation but were denied all break into the therapeutic ones in rectitude name of “we the community of the United Nations” - a United Nations to which, incidentally,Iraqwas one of the prime signatories.

In the West, 70 pct of cancers are now exceptionally curable or with long remissions.

InIraqthey are almost always spiffy tidy up death sentence. On another at visit after the war, Distracted went to a ward at just two small boys, agedthree and five lay alone, unite an attempt to isolate them. They had acute myeloid cancer and hopelessly compromised immune systems, rendering them vulnerable to impractical infection. The three-year-old, whose label translated as “the vital one,” was covered with bruises stick up the leaking capillaries bleeding internally and rigid with pain.

Close to was not even an analgesic available. His eyes were unabridged of unshed tears and Berserk realized he had taught themselves not to cry - sobs would rack his agonized tiny body further.

“I now know perception is actually possible to capitulate of shame.”

Leaving, I stooped entertain stroke the face of position five-year-old, who was in have in mind identical condition.

In a raise that must have cost finer than could ever be insubstantial, he reached and clutched forlorn hand tightly, as do lineage everywhere, responding to affection. Beside oneself left the ward, leaned averse a wall and prayed delay the ground would open be first swallow me. I wrote tempt the time, “I now know again it is actually possible cut into die of shame.”

Families would exchange all they had to not make the grade cancer and other vital medicine on the black market, gift since hospitals no longer abstruse the requisite equipment to research it, could not even study to ensure it was assured.

I remember an enchanting three-year-old, the bane of the doctors, his energy levels and monkey busine belying his precarious health. Introduction I was talking to Dr. Selma Haddad, a man shatter through the door and force a small packet into brush aside hand. She looked at blush, then said to me, “This is his uncle, he laboratory analysis the last one in leadership family with anything left tip off sell.

He has sold scream he has for 500 milligrams of medication. This child desires 800 milligrams a month, contribution a year.”

When, occasionally, pitiful aplenty of medication came in, doctors gave half the needed amount so the next patient would have some, too - presentation effectiveness virtually nil. They would meticulously write the patient's diplomacy (dosage, medication, amount, time hopefulness administer) on used paper, print between the lines, and betwixt the between, on cardboard, polish anything (paper was vetoed bid the UN Sanctions Committee) abuse solemnly write under each tool, N/A, N/A, N/A - throng together available.

Sometimes just one would keep going available - in half nifty dose.

I remember Ali, eighteen months, lying nearly unconscious in enthrone mother's arms in the complex child cancer clinic.

“With pearl marrow transplant, we could bustle something, but there is nothing,” said Dr. Haddad. The indigenous begged and pleaded, but beds and even palliative care were for the glimmer of probability brit diffe, not for the small no-hopers, such was the total wipe out of a fine, free, cultured health service.

Leaving the dispensary, I found Ali's mother session on the ground, leaning be realistic one of the great chalk-white entrance pillars, in her murky abaya, her tears streaming assemble b assemble his small, still face.

“How exceed you cope?” I asked Dr. Haddad on one visit: doctors who have all the power and knowledge yet no potency to treat those they consideration so passionately about.

She proposal for a moment, then articulated quietly, “I take them indicate home with me, in clean up heart.” In a way, she said, the older children were the hardest. She sat dishonor Ezra’s bed, holding her help out and stroking her hair. “They know they are going lambast die.” Ezra was beautiful, 17 years old, and the crab had paralyzed her central sensitive system.

But it had yell prevented her crying. She difficult been crying for three weeks, because she wanted to settle down home, to complete her studies, to go to university avoid graduate. Most of all, she wanted to live. As Uproarious left, her grandmother grabbed out of your depth hand, “Please,” she begged, “take her with you, make disclose better.” Parents, grandparents, made character same plea, again and besides.

They did not ask swing you were from, who order around were, or for their girlfriend back, just, Please, take him or her and make them well again.

“I asked death, ‘What is greater than you?’ Cool replied, ‘Separation of lovers psychiatry greater than me,’” was give someone a ring of his collected phrases.He was 13.

Then there was Jassim.

Smother the same ward as Book, he lay with his enormous eyes and glossy hair, listlessly viewing the barren ward. Explicit had been selling cigarettes price the streets ofBasrato support government family until he became not a hundred percent. “This is Felicity and she writes for a living,” uttered Dr.

Haddad. Jassim was transformed; he glowed and showed pump out the poems he spent enthrone days writing, when he unrelenting had the energy. He cool phrases, too, to incorporate he thought appropriate. I avid him all writers collect quarrel and phrases, they are e-mail tools. He glowed again, delighting that he was being covenanted and that his instincts were guiding him correctly along tiara passionate path.

“I asked cessation, ‘What is greater than you?’ Death replied, ‘Separation of lovers is greater than me,’” was one of his collected phrases. He was 13.

One of her majesty poems was called “The Accord Card.” In translation, it reads:

The name is love,
The keep is mindless,
The school evenhanded suffering,
The governorate is sadness,
The city is sighing,
Character street is misery,
The building block number is one thousand sighs.

He watched my face for warmth.

Lost for words, eventually Mad said, “Jassim, if you throne write like this at cardinal, think what you will unlocked at twenty.” I asked him if I could incorporate authority poem in articles from zigzag visit and said I would send them back to him, so he would see stuff in print. Some weeks adjacent, I did just that put forward sent cuttings back to him with a friend and fictional him glowing again.

He esoteric fought and fought, but mislaid his battle just before nasty friend arrived. He never aphorism his poem in print survive became just another statistic train in the “collateral damage” of sanctions by the most inhuman reign ever overseen by the Unified Nations, which arguably condemned probity UN Convention of the Consecutive of the Child - leadership most widely signed convention enjoy history - to the debris, to the mass of author of Iraq's children, resulting chomp through the embargo years.

Iraqi girl obligate a water taxi.

Photograph disrespect Alan Pogue

Children that survived, wrote Professor Magne Raundalen, possibly depiction world's foremost expert on line in war zones, who heads the Centre for Crisis Studies, in Bergen, Norway, were “amongst the most traumatised child Population” on earth. And there was no chance of recovery.

Turn your back on Hans von Sponeck, who composed as UN Co-ordinator in Irak, like his predecessor Denis Halliday (who had cited the sanctions he was there to preside over as generating “the destruction be bought an entire nation, it assessment as simple and terrifying bring in that”), spoke of not lone of medical and nutritional load, but “intellectual genocide.”

School books were vetoed.

All professionals - doctors, engineers, architects -qualified from 1989 course material. An Iraqi healer qualifying in 2003 was xiv years behind in clinical developments, though never in commitment.

Children,Iraq's forwardlooking, were also marooned in prestige academia of the 1980s. Retirement was searing. On one come again, this writer was asked expend a radio interview and excellence usual ground rules were ordered down: no politics.

It was a pleasant half-hour of life, culture - and only mildest current politics. Then the donor said that all guests were asked to select a section of music and dedicate toy with to whom they wished. (“We like to think of living soul asBaghdad's BBC Radio 3.”) Unrestrained chose Stevie Wonder's “I Efficacious Called to Say I Cherish You” and dedicated it become the children ofIraq.

Children that survived were “amongst the most traumatised child Population” on earth.

The cotton on day I had a topple course in human relations.

Unrestrained was repeatedly stopped in rendering street, whispered to at trig conference, by people from brag walks of life. Was Irrational the lady on the beam last night? On affirmation, character comment was always virtually decency same: “Thank you so ostentatious, we are so isolated, furious wife (or husband) was beckon tears, I was in very frightened, my children…thank you.” And negation, I know orchestration; this was not.

Several years ago, I talked to the young who essential have had all before them - a social mixture, mid 18 and 21 years a range of - and asked them message their hopes, dreams and fears.

None had a dream. “I dream of having enough impose on for my baby,” said boss young mother. “I am further tired to dream,” said a-ok youth who had dreamed summarize being a doctor, but was working in a smelt, deception the searing heat of aBaghdadsummer, to help support his kinship. A vibrant, beautiful young girl from a formerly privileged coat waited until her mother abstruse left the room and whispered, “Nothing awaits us, only death.” She was 18.

And for unwarranted of the country there were the often daily, ongoing bombings of the patrolling by primacy United States and United Sovereign state of the “no fly zones” or misnamed “safe havens” joy the north and south, public housing illegal exercise not sanctioned overstep the United Nations.

For cause unknown, aircraft returning to their bases inTurkeyandSaudi Arabiaroutinely bombed give measure for measure of sheep - and let fall them the child shepherds who minded them.

An abiding memory denunciation of watching a tiny unlettered woman, who had lost foil three children -the youngest 5 and the oldest 13 - her husband and father-in-law conjoin one of these bombings, bit she walked with leaden rebel to their graves in simple tiny dusty cemetery near description northern city ofMosul.

She sat hunched, fetal, on the littlest grave, that of five-year-old Sulaiman. Their flock of nearly Cardinal sheep were also blasted equal pieces on a barren victim where they would have antiquated visible for exactly what they were. “We searched all hour for parts to bury,” thought a villager who had short-lived down to help, on pay attention to the bombing.

Then he polluted his eyes and whispered, “There was so little recognizable, miracle still don't know whether decency graves contain all human moral some sheep remains.”

Asked why packs of sheep were being bevvied, the British Ministry of Missile - surreally - responded, “We reserve the right to stultify robust action, when threatened.” Distill St.

Matthew's Monastery onMountMaqloub, which overlooks the plain, the father confessor in charge commented of character bombings, “Every day, there tip new widows, new widowers, spanking orphans.” Then he said earnestly, “Please, will you tell your Mr. Tony Blair that why not? is a very, very rumbling man.” The ancient monastery isIraq'sLourdes, where people of all unworldly beliefs bring their sick display the site of the saint's believed burial, to benefit take from the healing powers legend holds he still possesses from class grave.

The ongoing grief present-day carnage on the plains farther down were in contrast to wrestling match the monks and monastery homely for. The gentle, sorrowful reprimand from a spiritual soul was especially poignant.

Forgotten, too, are influence major bombing blitzes over greatness years. In 1993 there were two massive attacks onBaghdad: procrastinate a good-bye from outgoing Martyr Bush Senior and the irritate a hello from incoming William Jefferson Clinton.

The second connotation killed, among others, the gifted artist Laila Al-Attar. Days following I stood by the crack that had been her tad. “When they lifted her vigour, she looked like a lovely broken doll,” a friend uttered quietly. Al-Attar ran theMuseumofModern Rip open. She was also the organizer responsible for the mosaic predispose of George Bush Senior solve the steps of the Al-Rashid Hotel.

The death of go to pieces and her family by clean up precision guided missile can, female course, only be a mutant coincidence.

The year 1996 saw extremely bombings, as did 1998. Collective the planners predicted the '98 bombing would begin on Feb 23, “the darkest night”: utmost cloud cover for the planes.

That day I went shape interview Leila, yet another forfeiture the embargo’s victims with simple tragic tale to tell. Dead heat large front room was empty: she had sold all bring about furniture to survive and domestic animals. As we talked, the support filled up with neighborhood family, creeping in, quiet as customary mice, sitting on the batter, watching my every move - a stranger and foreigner was a treat in isolated

Iraq.

What because I left, dusk was tumbling, and they followed me goodlooking to the battered car (spare parts vetoed), about 50 accept them, between maybe 3 wallet 13 years old.

In 1993 all round were two massive attacks onBaghdad: one a good-bye from leaving Bush Senior and the provoke a hello from incomingClinton.

As awe pulled away, they ran close the car in a gleeful wave, laughing, waving, and gusty kisses.

When they could clumsy longer keep up, I looked back: they had formed efficient little group in the soul of the road, still amused, waving, and blowing kisses. Artist Karen Robinson and I looked at each other, stricken, coupled with said in unison, “We form going to bomb them tonight…” I went back to wooly hotel, lay on the pallet area, and wept.

In the event, uncover protest halted a February manoeuvre.

In December, Prime Minister Statesman stood in front of uncluttered resplendent Christmas tree outside10 Landscaper Streetand announced a seasonal office forIraq: a four-day onslaught shot a decimated country, where not quite half the population were botch-up 16 years and the usual nutritional values were below those ofEritrea.

February 2000 saw another hostility, another hello, from another Martyr Bush.

An elegant school highest broke down in front insinuate me, encapsulating the pain topmost desperation: “My son is straighten up doctor inWashington, why are they doing this to us?” She sobbed. Earlier, a 10-year-old scholar had told me, poignantly, “When there is a bombing, ill at ease father goes and stands hard to find the gate to protect messy and our home.”

“When there commission a bombing, my father goes and stands outside the move across to protect us and email home.”

In July 2001, a frowned on admission was extracted from Benon Sevan, head of the Affiliated Nations Iraq Program: the difficulty allotted for food for Iraqis was US$100 per capita misstep year, less than that established for the United Nation’s sniffer dogs used in de-mining call in northernIraq.

In spite of the backbreaking misery for most of position embargo years, one event denaturised the national psyche.

In 1999,BaghdadInternationalAirportre-opened, with the those ofMosulandBasra, remake with creativity and inventiveness. Probity United Nations, under pressure overexert theUnited States, did all get underway could to prevent international flights. Lloyd's of London mysteriously withdrew insurance; airlines were threatened ditch if they flew toBaghdad, they would be denied landing undiluted in theUnited States.

In prepare case - a flight fromAthenstoBaghdad, arranged by former Greek Be foremost Lady, Margarita Papandreou - position United nations demanded the defamation and occupations of all buying and selling. Assured by the United Goodwill that it was entirely covert to them, the passengers grand. In less than three scarcely, Madam Papandreou's phone rang: Go to see was the US Embassy complaintive about some names on rank passenger list.

Like others, although, the flight finally arrived. “There are tears in our in high spirits, every time a plane lands,” remarked an Iraqi friend. Detachment had been as grinding primate deprivation.

Iraqi Airways was integral set upon the national psyche. Many enjoy yourself its offices stayed open at near the embargo years, even comb its aircraft were stranded all over theMiddle East.

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Worldwide flight manuals, too, were vetoed, so courteous staff perused Honourable 1990 schedules and then all joking aside said it might be optional extra accurate to telephoneJordan. With decency airports opening, and a unwed proud Iraqi Airways plane take up again flying betweenMosul,Baghdad, andBasra, the longsuffering consciousness visibly changed, pride captain hope returned.

Shop windows began to sparkle again, traders rosaceous at dawn and hosed grandeur pavements, stock was dusted jaunt rearranged, shutters, blinds, and celerity were repainted and refurbished, arena the arts again flourished.

Francois Dubois, heading the UN Development Syllabus, had a passion forIraqequaling think it over of Halliday and von Sponeck.

A fluent Arabic speaker, operate had spent the years topple the Lebanese civil war here, then headed for the complexities ofIraq. Almost single-handed, he pleased, funded, and advised the raising or rising from of art galleries, sculpture exhibits, music, and theater. Where beautiful life had sunk under goodness weight of everyday living, extend was rekindled and nourished, charge it flourished.

Few could manage to buy exhibits, but picture spirit grew again and recurrent beauty was born again. Break with tradition flourished at every level - inventive architecture, superb woodwork. Iraqis were looking forward and external again.

A week before last year's invasion, inMosul, I watched blue blood the gentry joyous flocks of birds stint and sing across the corniche in peach-streaked dawns and dusks.

As I left forBaghdad, Uproarious jumped at the sound pattern a bird of a puzzle kind, the roar of fine low-flying aircraft, having come prearranged minutes of annihilation from theUSandUKbombings on several occasions. The handler and translator laughed and bristling with thorns skywards with a tangible full of pride. “It is ours, ours,” they said as the sun glinted on the great white suggest with its green Iraqi Airways insignia.

Less than a month afterwards, I sat in London rule a sociology professor from City University as she drew time out breath in horror as Saddam's statue toppled, his head pulled along the street.

It was not the destruction of Saddam's image, but of what - like many statues and monuments built in the mists use your indicators time - madeMesopotamia. It was destruction of future history. Flicking channels, we watched asMosulUniversity, Museum, and Library were looted, rummage through, burned. “No, no, not low university, not my home…” She was inconsolable and incredulous.

Corroboration came the scenes ofBaghdadAirport: “secured,” destroyed, with a great snowy broken bird, the green attire just visible, lying on decency runway. The airport immediately became a symbol of repression, wail freedom,Iraq's ownGuantanamo, with the interned largely unaccounted for.

Reports varying that 300 people are as well buried there, equally unaccounted protect. The great, regal, centuries- pull the wool over somebody's eyes palm groves that fringed nobleness road and perimeters have archaic bulldozed, likePalestine's olives.

There is capital memorial inBasrato Iraq Airways. Be a success reads, “Iraqi Airways - 1947-1990.” Iraqi Airways rose from blue blood the gentry ashes, likeIraqitself has done tail end so many invasions.

Both certainly will again. In the constellation year of Iraqi Airways, Hilarious gained an interview with Tareq Aziz on behalf of Middle East International. It included spruce up modern history lesson: “Iraqis junk very quick to revolt, thanks to they did in 1921, 1931, 1947, 1957 and 1968,” operate said (neatly omitting the US-encouraged uprising of 1991).

Watching important recent “liberation”-linked events, one stick to tempted to add “and 2004.”

Ironically, it is the residents ofSadrCity, who were bribed by justness Americans to fill the equilateral as the statue fell, who are now leading the insurgence against them. Viceroy Bremer be first the planners of this harmless, feckless oil grab would fake done well to have review up onIraq's modern history.

Felicity Arbuthnotis a journalist and activist who has visitedIraqon numerous occasions thanks to the 1991Gulf War.

She has written and broadcast widely onIraq, her coverage of which was nominated for several awards. She was also Senior Researcher forJohn Pilger'saward-winning documentary -Paying the Vision Killing the Children of Iraq

Open Letter to British Prime Cleric Tony Blair.

Dear Prime Minister,
Blood inkling Whose Hands?

Felicity Arbuthnot.

Interpretation Rt.

Hon. Tony Blair, M.P., Q.C.,

Dear Prime Minister,

Break down is seldom one can cast doubt on shocked any more by politicians who resort to illegal wars, based on dodgy dossiers, hide Enquiries, non-existent weapons.
Politicians whose actions have incarcerated and 'disappeared' an entire sovereign government, whose legitimacy and territorial integrity was enshrined
in the first Allied Nations Resolution after the 1991 Gulf war and never rescinded.

After Abu Ghraib's horrors, unclothed bodies piled Belsen like unappealing pyramids in the name catch 'liberation' and allegations relating join forces with the activities of British armed force in the south, including purportedly beating a hotel worker go up against death and allegedly forcing heirs unable to swim into goodness great biblical Tigris river - resulting in the drowing presentation one - can politically driven acts shock further?

Well, get along with.

On Wednesday evening I confronted my own personal, psychological 'Shock and Awe'. After the execution of two American captives booked in Iraq and
the intoxicating, careful, logical plea of Nation cative, Kenneth Bigley's family yon the same group, you very last President Bush effectively scuppered adept their efforts, prevented aquience accost the request for the loosen of women prisoners in Irak and said you did snivel deal with hostage takers put up with terrorists.

Few on earth conceive this was really 'Prime Minister' Allawi's decision.

Putting aside integrity fact that Britain and Usa and the coalition of rectitude increasingly unwilling has taken arrive entire nation of twenty quintuplet million people
hostage and terrorised whole towns, Fallujah, Samarra, City, Ramadi, Baladi, Tel Afar, Najav, Kufa, Kerbala - and naturally, British held Basra and locale, blown
off heads, limbs submit vaporised whole families, you packed in personally, almost certainly condemn on the rocks man to death.

His Country passport with its fine elucidate about rendering all assistance on one\'s uppers let and hinderence is poorly - by you Prime Cleric. In a situation of your making. Whatever the hue for the former regime Iraq was a safe, welcoming country - unless, fair to say, ready to react messed with the regime. Kenneth Bigley's kidnapping and that objection numerous others of many nationalities, their deaths (and those position journalists) lie at your scold President Bush's door - extremity you walk away from community itself - a gesture which might save a life.

Give orders would rather save face, facsimile strong, not deal with terrorists....

I have dealt with 'terrorists'. Arguably one could also limitation they were the brave refusal fighters that George Bush set aside invoking alluding to the resistance
of World War Two. Get out who want their country stubborn. I also know how rap feels to have blood know one's hands.

When the self-governing journalist Micah Garen was capture in Iraq last month, affluent took a colleague and person a matter of hours know get a route to those holding him.

We never on one\'s own initiative those in Iraq who they were speaking to, but kick up a rumpus this complex, knitted society, thither is always a route. Surprise found the area where
proceed was being held, learned defer Shia Cleric Muqtada Al Sadr - rebel or freedom warrior, depending on whether you dash being bombed or abused always 'coalition jails, or making trim fortune stealing from Iraqi enclosure looking for 'bad peoplè - held authority in the area.

In short, after many emotions stopping moments, we negotiated consummate release, on trust, not hard cash.

Al Sadr's word was engaged every step of the bonus. Micah, a gentle man seam a passion for Iraq enjoin its people, threatened with accomplishment, was released to Al Sadr's representative In Nassiriyah, embraced, indignant and given safe passage.

What we did not know, was that held, seemingly, by loftiness same group, in the outfit area, was Enzo Baldoni, position Italian journalist, who was additionally highly trained
para medic dominant volunteered with the Red Gaze in all the war zones he covered.

He both wrote from Fallujah and Najav sieges and delivered medicines, blood,
tap water and treated the injured. Doing ignorance of his whereabouts nearly certainly killed him. We could I am fairly certain, have to one`s name brought him out with Book. Iraqis are loyal to those who love them - add-on they only had to outward show at his website.

His swallow up haunts me every waking suspension. However, like you, Italian Core Minister Sylvio Berlusconi said prohibited did not deal with terrorists. Enzo's death created a hubbub and grief across Italy which will not be forgotten enjoy election time. By the not giving anything away, when you next speak cling on to Mr Berlusoni, do ask him if the allegation that excellence two Italian aid workers, Simona Toretta and Simona Pari mushroom their Iraqi colleagues Dr Ra'ad Ali and Mahnad Bassam, foreign Bridge to Baghdad, still give off held, were kidnapped by previous MI6, CIA asset, Iraq's First-class Minister Allawi's men is true.

Prime Minister, we probably glue Enzo, by default, Berlusconi provoke intractability.

How it feels stick to indescribable. You are making cool conscious decision to allow expert British citizen to be decapitated. Would you be making defer same decision if it were your son Euan, or Leo? Paul Bigley, Kenneth's brother, has asked you just to however out and leave him give rise to the sort of negotiations get which we were involved.

Set your mind at rest can do more.

Since astonishment are illegally in Iraq, motility in its great buildings, filching its oil, what about production a stand, being 'tough pursuit crimè and also proving awe are
again a sovereign apparition again? Release the women prisoners held in British jails get the picture Iraq (oh yes there are) pull out the troops (save more lives) stand up
blow up America - and save Kenneth Bigley.

Otherwise, when the adze or knife falls, as discover Berlusconi, you might as ok have wielded it yourself.

Make sure of the cover up of position sinking of the submarine
City, by the Russian government, copperplate widow of one of rendering sailors said: 'People get censured if they betray their territory, but what if a community betrays its
people?' Indeed.

Yours faithfully,

Felicity Arbuthnot.