Louise Nousratpour
Monday December 3, 2007
The Morning Star
THE international anti-war movement descended on London on Saturday to warn warmongers in the US and Britain that, if they attack Iran, "we will bring you down."
Over a thousand delegates from across Europe, the Middle East and the US packed into Westminster Central Hall for the one-day international peace conference organised by the Stop the War Coalition.
Conference heard from a rich panel of speakers representing Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and Egypt as well as South Korea, Greece, Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, France, Ireland, the US and Canada.
Hassan Juma of the Iraqi Oil Workers Union updated delegates on the latest struggles of his members and their continued fight against the US-led occupation and attempts to privatise the oil and gas industry.
"The Iraqi people want a referendum on the oil and gas law," said Mr Juma, who was arrested earlier this year for organising strikes against the legislation in the southern city of Basra.
Lebanese Communist Party general secretary Khaled Hadadah stressed the importance of an alliance between the left and Islamic groups in the face of imperialist wars, warning that anything less would only please the warmongers.
"The Communist Party lost many martyrs alongside Hezbollah in the war against Israel's invasion in summer 2006," he pointed out.
"The key question is not whether you are an Islamist or not, but whether you support the 'war on terror' or resist it."
Hezbollah newspaper al-Intiqab editor Ibrahim Mousawi echoed Mr Hadadah, adding: "What is happening in Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan is not about religion, it's about humanity."
In Iran, the Mothers Against War campaign is the latest addition to hundreds of democratic and progressive movements who are fighting their brutal government with one hand and defending their country against foreign invasion with the other.
Campaign speaker Marzieh Langroudi said that the harrowing memories of the US-instigated eight-year war between Iran and Iraq was still fresh in people's minds.
"We need your solidarity to stop Iran being destroyed by US 'democratic' bombs," she added.
Representatives from the Czech Republic, Poland and Italy told conference that public opinion in their countries is strongly against war and US plans to establish military bases on their soil.
French delegates warned that their neoliberal President Nicolas Sarkozy had declared France ready to support US in its future wars.
"In response, we are launching our own anti-war movement and will join the rest of you in the international demonstration on the fifth anniversary of the Iraq war next March," one activist said.
Koreans Against Intervention in Iraq speaker Hwan Young Kim vowed to "bring to their knees those in our country who support crazy US wars."
US Labour Against the War representative Nancy Romer brought greetings from 210 million members.
"The Middle East wars are unpopular among Americans and the US will have a big problem trying to start another one in Iran," she stormed.
Respect MP George Galloway mocked US President George Bush's attempt to relaunch the "roadmap to peace" at last week's Annapolis conference between Israel and Palestine.
"The democratically elected Palestinian government, Hamas, was not invited to the negotiations. This is Bush's idea of bringing peace and democracy," he said.
Hinting at the recent split in Respect, Mr Galloway urged the left in Britain to maintain unity in the face of a possible war against Iran.
His sentiments were echoed by StWC convener Lindsey German.
StWC chairman Andrew Murray had a clear message for the US, Britain and their allies.
"If you contemplate extending your imperialist wars to Iran, we will mobilise on the streets of every country and we will bring you down," he vowed.
Respect national secretary John Rees hailed the truly international nature of the conference as "proof that we can and must join forces if we are to stop any more wars."
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