Iraqi's Plea to UK Labour: Don't Pull Out Troops

Scotsman ^ | Thu 30 Sep 2004 | Vivienne Morgan

[wistful]

Iraqi's Plea to Labour: don't Pull Out Troops

By Vivienne Morgan, Political Staff, PA News

The woman who helped swing the vote at the Labour conference over pulling troops out of Iraq today accused party members of naivety about the situation in the country.

Shanaz Rashid – whose husband is a minister in the interim Iraqi government – was earlier given a standing ovation when she made an emotional appeal not to pull troops out.

Close to tears, she told party activists that many friends had perished under Saddam Hussein and she had kissed the ground with joy on arriving back at Baghdad after the war.

She praised the Prime Minister for “standing up” to Saddam and liberating the country.

“Yes, there have been difficulties. Yes, there have been mistakes perhaps many mistakes. No, you did not find weapons of mass destruction.

“But for the great majority of Iraqis WMD was never the issue. We don’t understand the criticism of your Prime Minister. All we wanted was to be free.”

She added: “I appeal to you all ... to help us build a new democratic federal Iraq that would respect the lives of human beings.”

She insisted the vast majority of Iraqis were in favour of coalition intervention and that life was improving for most people.

Excerpt- full article

Scotsman

[wistful]

Wonder if CBS gives any airtime to this event.

[Just mythoughts]

Can't you just see her on bended knee begging JFKerry for life?

[flashbunny]

(CBS MODE ON)

She sounds like she might be to pro-bush to be a reliable source.

We'd better find a few of the iraqi insurgents to interview in order to get out the real story.

(CBS MODE OFF)

[Ciexyz]

Yes, but what does "The Guardian" have to say on this issue? (/sarcasm)

[wistful]

I heard a guy discussing this on CNN, and then had to search the net to find it. Its seem to be suffering the usual low profile the mainstream media gives to any pro Bush information.

Actually, I just did a successful search and see this is the second time this has been posted. My apologies. Even so, its such a good story it might deserve two airings.

[beaversmom]

It does deserve to airings--I didn't see it the first time and I'm sure many others didn't. Thanks.

[beaversmom]

oops--I meant "two" airings

[Dolphy]

Close to tears, she told party activists that many friends had perished under Saddam Hussein and she had kissed the ground with joy on arriving back at Baghdad after the war.

John Kerry will hold a summit with those he considers real allies, those who not only can't hear cries for freedom.

[AnimalLover]

Bump