Det danske Fredsakademi
Kronologi over fredssagen og international politik 8. maj 2003
/ Time Line May 8, 2003
Version 3.0
7. Maj 2003, 9. Maj 2003
05/08/2003
International release, GUSH SHALOM
The ISM (International Solidarity Movement) and Raprochement
offices in Beit Sahour were raided today.
Three women were taken into custody. Two internationals were
arrested, both apparently American (one is Flo, the communications
coordinator). A Palestinian was questioned, and then released; The
2:00 and 3:00 PM radio news reported that the internationals were
illegally here, but the ISM office confutes that. In addition to
the arrests, 5 computers and 3 lap tops were confiscated.
This is a step further in the government's and military's war on
human rights groups, particularly those who aim to help the
nonviolent struggle of Palestinians against the occupation. It
follows the killing of Rachel
Corey, and the shooting and seriously wounding of Tom Hurndall - still in coma - and Brian Avery, shot in the face, and
invalidated for life.
International human shielders are apparently losing their special
status and treated no better than Palestinians.
At present, legal aid is being sought to try to release the women
and to recoup the computers.
05/08/2003
Jailed for Exposing Costs of Sanctions & War?
Dr. Huda Ammash's Detention
by ABU SPINOZA, CounterPunch
The US occupation military forces in Iraq recently detained Dr.
Huda Sali Mahdi Ammash, a Iraqi scientist. South End Press, the
publishers of Dr. Huda Ammash, in a press release has suggested
that "there may be political motivation for her detention." Dr.
Ammash published a peer-reviewed paper, "Toxic Pollution, the Gulf
War, and Sanctions," in an anthology Iraq Under Siege (South End
Press, undated edition, 2002), edited by Anthony Arnove.
Co-publisher of the anthology, Alexander Dwinell said: "We are
outraged at the U.S.'s extra-legal detention of Dr. Ammash and its
plans to interrogate her. We demand that Dr. Ammash be released
immediately." He added: "The US government is trying to silence Dr.
Ammash's outspoken criticism of the US role in causing cancers and
other illnesses in Iraq through its own use of biologically
hazardous weapons such as radioactive deleted uranium."
In her paper, "Toxic Pollution, the Gulf War, and Sanctions," Dr
Ammash examines the effects of United States' use of depleted
uranium during the first Persian Gulf War, the spread of
electro-magnetic fields in the environment, chemical pollution, and
massive destruction of Iraq's infrastructure on public health. Her
assessment of the overall effect is that US actions are largely
responsible for the deterioration of public health in Iraq. She
writes: "Iraqi death rates have increased significantly, with
cancer representing a significant cause of morality, especially in
the south and among children." This view is shared by other
scientists and experts.
According to biographical details that are available from various
sources, Professor Ammash was born on 1953 in Baghdad. He obtained
her B.Sc., in Biology from University of Baghdad in 1975 and her
M.S., in Microbiology from Texas University, Denton, Texas. In 1983
she obtained her Ph.D., in Microbiology from University of Missouri
at Columbia, Missouri, USA. She elected a Fellow of Islamic Academy
of Science (IAS) in 2001. She has had a distinguished academic and
professional career in Iraq. She served as Dean of College of
Education for Women, University of Baghdad and as Dean of College
of Science (1995-1997). Her publications include, "Impact of Gulf
War Pollution in the Spread of Infection Diseases in Iraq" (Soli
Al-Mondo, Rome 1999) and "Electronic, Chemical, and Mircobial
Pollution Resulting from War and Embargo, and its Impacts on the
Environment and Health," (Journal of the [Iraqi] Academy of
Science, 1997).
The US occupation forces had listed Dr. Ammash among the 55
most-wanted Iraqi officials. Dr. Ammash is the daughter of Saleh
Mahdi Ammash, a former vice-president, defense minister and member
of the Baath party's leadership. He was reportedly executed on
Saddam Hussein order in 1983.
The US authorities have not given any reason for Dr. Ammash's
detention. She was shown on Iraqi television on March 27th sitting
next at the same table as Saddam Hussein. That cannot be sufficient
ground for detention. Attending a meeting with a dictator of a
country under attack by a foreign superpower is not a crime. Donald
Rumsfeld had no qualms about attending a meeting with Saddam
Hussein at the height of the regime's brutality.
The US has been unable to find any concrete evidence of the
existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The arrests of
Iraqi scientists and technicians may be an attempt to (a) concoct
some circumstance evidence of an Iraqi program for developing
weapons of mass destruction, (b) mute criticism of United States'
occupation by Iraqi scholars and scientists, and (c) stifle Iraqi's
technological and scientific potential for years to come. Since the
US has offered no reasons of Dr. Ammash's detention, one can only
speculate about its reasons for her detention.
However, occupation authorities have an obligation under
international law to follow the rules and procedures of Geneva
Convention. The US has shown a consistent pattern of disregarding
international laws and norms unless it suits its purpose. Hence, it
is up to the people of the United States to compel the US
occupation authorities to at least abide by minimum acceptable
standards of civilized nations. The progressive community should
demand the unconditional release of Dr. Huda Ammash as part of its
campaign to end the illegitimate US occupation of Iraq.
05/08/2003
Første behandling af
beslutningsforslag nr. B 165: Forslag til folketingsbeslutning
om dansk militær deltagelse i en multinational sikringsstyrke
i Irak; længe efter at ubåden Sælen er sejlet fra
Danmark.
05/08/2003
Kvindeligt ansatte i forsvaret udsættes for sexcikane, viser
en undersøgelse lavet af Forsvarsakademiet.
05/08/2003
Der er udbrudt kolera i den sydirakiske by Basra, noterer
Information.
05/08/2003
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