Human shield Britons quit Baghdad

The Sunday Telegraph ^ | March 2, 2003 | Charlotte Edwardes

[MadIvan]

Almost all of the first British "human shields" to go to Iraq were on their way home last night after deciding that their much-heralded task was now too dangerous.

Two red double-decker buses, which symbolised the hopes of anti-war activists when they arrived to a fanfare of publicity a fortnight ago, slipped quietly out of Baghdad on the long journey back to Britain.

Nine of the original 11 activists decided to pull out after being given an ultimatum by Iraqi officials to station themselves at targets likely to be bombed in a war or leave the country. Among those departing last night was 68-year-old Godfrey Meynell, a former High Sheriff of Derbyshire, who admitted that he was leaving out of "cold fear". He had been summoned, along with 200 other shields from all over the world, to a meeting at a Baghdad hotel yesterday morning.

Abdul Hashimi, the head of the Friendship, Peace and Solidarity organisation that is hosting the protesters, told the shields to choose between nine so-called "strategic sites" by today or quit the country.

The Iraqi warning follows frustration among Saddam Hussein's officials that only about 65 of the shields had so far agreed to take up positions at the oil refineries, power plants and water-purification sites selected by their hosts.

It heightened fears among some peace activists that they could be stationed at non-civilian sites. Mr Meynell and fellow protesters who moved into the power station in south Baghdad last weekend were dismayed to find it stood immediately next to an army base and the strategically crucial main road south to Basra. Iraqi officials said there was little point in guarding what they considered to be low-risk targets.

Iraq's decision to force the pace was welcomed by some of the 20 Britons remaining in Baghdad. "It's only fair," said Uzma Bashir, 32, a college lecturer who is one of the team leaders.

"We've come here as shields to defend sites and now the Iraqis are asking us to make our choice."

[Contra]

Among the group leaving was Jar Jar Binks, who was heard to say "somebody might die?"

[rabidralph]

When danger reared its ugly head
They bravely turned their tails and fled.

"They were not in the least bit scared to be killed in nasty ways
Or to have their eyes gouged out!
Oh, those human shields!" Right!

[Magoo]

PYou have guts posting this. My wife called em a bunch of wusses. This may lead some folks over the pond to think some of your compattiots are much like the French. LOL

[Experiment 6-2-6]

How do you explain Frenchmen?

The undesirable byproduct between German Victors and French Women..

Probably escaped and bred with others like them Africanized "killer" bees. 'cept the yellow must not be a recessive gene...

[Overtaxed]

Not quite as brave as Sir Lancelot.

[RikaStrom]

Were we not just discussing this? LOL

[woofie]

I dont want to play aanymore ...I want to go home

[VaBthang4]

LOL

"Two red double-decker buses, which symbolised the hopes of anti-war activists when they arrived to a fanfare of publicity a fortnight ago, slipped quietly out of Baghdad on the long journey back to Britain. "

Here's to hoping they hit a mine on the way out and are stuck in Iraq for the duration. Prayerfully ambushed by a mob of angry Iraqi women who tear them form limb to limb.

[Bahbah]

OMG, that made me laugh as hard as this insane article.

[CarmelValleyite]

Boy, that Saddam is one ungrateful SOB, isn't he? Imagine the gall to demand that the "shields" hang out at a post likely to be bombed!!!! And here they had likely planned on surrounding Saddam in one of his palace shelters, holding hands and singing Kumbayah....

Now then, what sort of "greeting" do you Brits have planned for the "useful idiots" when they return to GB?

[JavaTheHutt]

Now then, what sort of "greeting" do you Brits have planned for the "useful idiots" when they return to GB?

Might I suggest a gauntlet of gut busting laughter?

[CarmelValleyite]

Can someone who knows how please make sure to splash this tidbit all over the world now?????? Sure makes poor Uncle Saddam look like a bad, bad man....

[CARepubGal]

Brave brave Brave Sir Robin.....Bravely ran away!

[Let's Roll]

I'm surprised the Iraqis let them go. When they took their cell phones away from them at the border, I figured that was so the "shields" couldn't call for help as in "get me out of here!"

[Intolerant in NJ]

Always easy to be morally superior - but it's important to make sure it's some person's and not your blood that starts flowing when crunch time arrives......

[wildbill]

What did they not understand about what the term "Human shield" meant?

[dsutah]

Why Mr.MadIvan, you is bad!

By the way, are there any "support the troops" rallies in GB? I was curious. I would imagine that there probably are some; at least I hope there are. Surely our allied troops have families and friends who support them in this. But all we seem to hear or read about, are the anti-war ones.

[nutmeg]

HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa

[nutmeg]

I hope Dan Blather missed the bus!

Dittos to that! LOL

[buffyt]

Oh man, the human shields were expected to be human shields and they got scared.

My only question is, what part of HUMAN SHIELDS did they NOT UNDERSTAND?!?!?! LOL