Attack Iran and we'll bring you down

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."

Respect Conference

LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR reports from one side of the Respect divide.

Saturday November 18, 2007
The Morning Star

AROUND 350 Respect delegates from across Britain packed into a hall at the University of Westminster in London on Saturday to discuss the recent split in the coalition and the way forward.

Strong allegations of election-rigging, undemocratic practices and even physical abuse were levelled against people in the alternative Respect Renewal group, which held a separate conference on the same day.

Delegates dismissed this as “nothing but a splinter rally” and accused Renewal figures of a “witch-hunt” against socialists.

However, they maintained an overall focus on the importance of retaining unity within the anti-war movement and reorganising around “core values” to ensure that it remained a vibrant alternative to new Labour.

Student Respect chairwoman Noreen Fatima said: “The anti-war movement radicalised many in the Muslim community.
“Cuts and privatisation of public services have also mobilised Muslims, who are overwhelmingly working-class.

“They have the most to gain from left policies because it addresses the problems they face.”

Stop the War Coalition convener Lindsey German pressed the need for unity in the face of possible war against Iran.

She reminded delegates that Respect had been “born out of the anti-war movement and the consequent radicalisation of people which led to a break from new Labour.”

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka stressed the need for political unity as well as industrial unity to fight government attacks on workers.

He expressed regret at the split, warning that “Gordon Brown is rubbing his hands in glee as we fight amongst ourselves while he continues to attack workers’ pay and pensions.”

But he insisted that, while unity was important, “you cannot have unity in a party to the left of Labour based on those who attack and witch-hunt other socialists.”

Mr Serwotka revealed that he had declined an invitation to speak at the Respect Renewal conference.
Respect national secretary John Rees warned of an “enormous pressure” from Labour’s electoral machine to hollow out Respect by trying to bribe successful candidates over to its side.

He went on to accuse Respect MP George Galloway of “communalism,” claiming that there had been an “unhealthy” focus on certain communities at the expense of alienating others.

In a swipe at Respect Renewal, he added: “Pessimists in the movement believe that some communities are no-go areas for Respect.

“I don’t believe that. I think it’s time to go beyond the bridgeheads that has made Respect successful and reach out to the wider working-class communities.”

Tower Hamlet council group leader Abjol Miah was singled out for criticism by councillors Oliur Rahman, Lutfa Begum, Mehdi Hassan and Rania Khan, who resigned the whip in October.

They accused him of bypassing democratic procedures to make back-door deals with local businessmen and verbally and physically abusing staff.

Delegates later voted for constitutional amendments which will affect membership and recruitment as well as how national officers are elected.

The changes meant that the national council will now be comprised of 50 members, including a national secretary, national organiser and chair elected by a majority vote at annual conferences.

Delegates then went on to elect 45 new national council members and voted for Elaine Graham-Leigh as national organiser and Mr Rahman as national chairman.

Mr Rees was re-elected as national secretary.

'Stop sending us back to torture'

Louise Nousratpour
Thursday October 4, 2007
The Morning Star

DARFUR survivors marched on Parliament on Thursday demanding that the government stops sending them back to torture and persecution in Sudan.

Angry protesters, dressed in T-shirts emblazed with "Rejected Darfur Survivor," chanted slogans like "Sudan Kills Blacks, Don't Send Us Back" and "No Deportation."

They accused ministers of "colluding" with the "genocidal and criminal" government of Sudan through their asylum policy.

The rally, organised by human rights group Aegis Trust, coincided with a Home Office appeal in the House of Lords against a legal victory for Darfuri asylum seekers earlier this year.

If the government wins this test case, hundreds of Darfuris could be sent back to Sudan's capital Khartoum.

Ministers have now promised to review policy guidance on Darfuri asylum claims in the light of Aegis's report detailing evidence of "shocking torture" of Darfuris who were deported from Britain to Khartoum.

Aegis Trust speaker David Brown dismissed this as "not good enough" and demanded an "immediate moratorium on the deportation of all Darfuri asylum seekers while there is war in Sudan."

Darfur Union president Khatir Mohammed told the rally: "There are only 300 Darfuri refugees in the UK. They are in detention centres or on the streets and their lives are in limbo.

"If Chad, one of the poorest countries in the world, can take in 300,000 Darfuri survivors why cannot Britain, one of the richest, take in just 300 until there is peace in Darfur?"

Ibrahim Haroun, who fled Darfur in 2004, said that he had been left homeless and destitute after his asylum claim was rejected last year. "I have to rely on friends and charity hand outs to survive," he added.

Mr Haroun, who has worked as a volunteer for the Red Cross in Leicester, said that over 90 per cent of all asylum claims in Britain were rejected.

"This figure is even higher among Darfuri asylum-seekers," he warned.

Sadiq Abakar, who has been waiting nine years for Britain to give him asylum, rejected government claims that it is "safe" to relocate Darfuris in other parts of Sudan. "Do they think we are stupid?" he asked.

Refugee Council chief executive Maeve Sherlock condemned the Home Office for "wasting taxpayers' money as its lawyers scuttle off to court to argue for the deportation of vulnerable Darfuris.

"This shows the hypocrisy of this government as Brown demands international action to stop the genocide, while sending refugees back to face torture and possible death."