Accueil > MESSAGE FROM UZMA BASHIR FROM BAGHDAD TODAY
Uzma has just called me with messages for her family and us. Behind her where a queue of Shield volunteers waiting to phone their loved ones, perhaps for the last time before war breaks out, so she was brief. She told me that they have stores of food and water at each site. They intend to stay on their sites unless the sites are bombed, in which case, if they survive, they will move in with friends and continue to witness events until the ’war’ is over.
She asked us to continue to work in any peaceful way we can against this and other wars.
I was very moved and honoured to receive Uzma’s call.
I later received this email :
"The time is one of facing the expected onslaught and preparing for it. The bombing could start any time. People are buying up stores of food and bottled water to last us through the bombing. Most people are calm and quietly determined. A spirit of camaraderie is growing where once there was dissension. With more than twenty nations represented, we are a united nations of peoples, working together, speaking different languages. We have made many friends. They have become our comrades, our sisters and brothers.
Together we face the dangers of an unjust war and a fearful bombing blitz. We might be blasted to bits. But our spirits are strong, because we know, with truth and courage, we will prevail in the end. "
Uzma Bashir Rickmansworth and Bradford West Yorkshire
Today is quite possibly the last day I get the chance to send any communications to the world, just before the US/UK start the aggression on Iraq. I feel a great deal of sadness, exhaustion, and disblief that this could possibly be happening - mostly sadness for the Iraqi men, women, children that I have made friends with, like Saffe, the street kid that meets me every day with a big inoccent smile and non-stop kisses. You may ask me why I stay ? I have a choice to leave, but they don’t. I stay with my new found friends. I could have stayed at home in my comfortable surroundings watching tv, going crazy, being idle - but instead, I am honored to be here today. My home for now is the Daura Electrical Power Plant, where I will stay to save the site, until I am forced to leave. This site provides 30% of Baghdad’s power, generated for water treatment plants. (After the last Gulf War, more people died from untreated water than from the actual bombs : 500,000 children.) I ask my fellow Brits : don’t give up the fight for truth and peace. Please do not succumb. I will not succumb. Finally, I’d like to thank all those who have worked so hard to stop this slaughter.
I’d like to say, goodbye for now, to my friends and family, and to let them know that I love them deeply, and hope to be home soon.
Peace, Uzma.
Robin James Banks-Brixton/London
I came to Baghdad as a shield over a month ago- my reasoning was if possible collectively to stop this open act of aggression on a country that has already endured 12 years of Sanctions. Sanctions incidentally that have - and continue to have - a devastating effect,, particularly in terms of medical supplies. The depleted uranium used by the US in ’91, has caused a huge increase in babies born with cancer - particularly leukemia. Thousands are also born with gross deformities. So, in real terms, the war is not just about to begin, it has continued since the Gulf War, and now the US and Uk - despite world-wide oppostition and condemnation - intend to commit further unprovaliked atrocities. My heart is with the Iraqi men, women and children, who seem destined to continue in their tragic role as innocent victims of George Bush’s megalomania and greed for oil, and Tony Blair’s sickening role as monkey to the organ grinder.
I send my deepest love to my family, my daughter, and my friends.
Eric Levy, London
Do not dishonor the British people ! The government’s planned bombing and invasion/occupation of the sovereign Iraqi nation is not in the name of any decent British, US, or any citizen anywhere ; and the most criminal 12 year old sanctions, maintained by the U.S.A., and Britain, are the ultimate weapon of mass destruction, and Must - once again in the name of humanity - Be Lifted Immediately ! Everyone must challenge Mr. Blair’s hypocritical sophistry that the US/British atter "will not kill as many Iraqi civilians as the Iraqi government is doing (sic)"...according to the Dr Goebbel’s (Hitler’s Minister of Propaganda) "Big lie" exponent of our time, P.M. Blair. And If, as this fellow mass-murdering junior partner "poodle" of US un-American President Bush says, virtually as a provocation, there is violence against Britain, like 9/11 in the USA, it is none but Blair, Bush, and their jingoistic, imperialist, racist, anti-Arab, anti-Muslim Govermnents, who will have the blood of their citizens on their hands.
Peace, with independence and national sovereignty for every country in the world.
John Richardson Batley, W.Yorkshire
I came to Iraq on the 18th February with a group of Human Shieldsto help prevent ’war’ against the Iraqis. So I feel deeply sad and disappointed that innocent Iraqi civilians, including women and children, will be subjected to total bombardment with the loss of life and injuries totalling thousands. I am angry that the British Government will participate in the bloodshed of defenceless children - but certainly Not In My Name, nor that of millions of other British people. As we await the last few hours before the bombs drop, I would say to people all over the world (and particularly in Britain) it is not too late to help end Britain’s bloody part in this senseless and unnecessary act. I have personally witnessed the children dying daily of carncer - a direct result of twelve years of Western sanctions. These families require our love and support, not to be bombed out of their homes, causing a humanitarian catastrophe of massive proportions. I, like many of my fellow human shields from Britain, are committed to staying here throughout the military campaign, to support the Iraqi people, and if we survive, to help act as witnesses of this aggression. I love my life and family, but the need to stop further US/UK global aggression is too important not to act now and stop further world bloodshed.
I would like to say hello to everyone in England.
Peace and much love,
John Richardson.