Peace activists predict 'dangerous times'

by LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR in Manchester
Monday September 22, 2008
The Morning Star

Convention of the Left: LABOUR Against the War campaigners called on the British left on Sunday to step up organisation in the local Stop the War branches to prepare for "dangerous times ahead."

MPs and activists at the Convention of the Left warned that the "war on terror" had cost countless lives in Iraq and Afghanistan and led to "wasteful" military expenditure and oppression at home.

They lambasted government plans to extend the pre-charge detention to 42 days and branded the Labour conference's refusal to discuss the wars "lamentable."

Chairing the session, Alan Simpson MP said: "When we formed LAtW, we warned that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan would come home on to our own streets and into our own communities.

"Sadly, in every city across Britain there is evidence of that."

Conference heard the story of Hicham Yezza, who was detained under the Terrorism Act for helping a fellow university researcher download an al-Qaida training manual readily available on the US Department of Defence website.

He was released without charge after eight days, only to be immediately re-arrested on trumped-up immigration charges.

"My story raises alarm about the sort of society Britain is drifting into," warned Mr Yezza, who is currently fighting deportation.

"On campus, young Muslims are livid and scared. Those who know me say that, if it can happen to you, none of us are immune."

Jeremy Corbyn MP demanded a "fundamental re-evaluation" of Britain's foreign policy, which he said had led to "an increase in powers for security services in Britain and elsewhere."

Speakers attacked Foreign Secretary David Miliband's handling of the Georgia-Russia conflict, warning that his "warmongering comments" last month had raised the danger of another cold war.

Despite the gloomy predictions, the mood was extremely uplifting and campaigners expressed optimism about the future.

Young activist Peter Berry said: "Saturday was my first time on an anti-war demo. I think the success of the Stop the War movement has put US and Britain off attacking Iran."

John McDonnell MP said: "I do not think new Labour can secure a Parliament vote for another war."

Veteran socialist Tony Benn also rejected the defeatism of some in the movement, stressing: "We are up against powerful people and arms dealers who want war and profit from it. This is a long struggle."