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."

[MadIvan]

Chortle. Giggle. ROFL!

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[ewing]

This is hilarious...where is the dedication to duty??!!

I feel like I am being cheated out of some Darwin Award finalists here-and (gasp!) Saddam wants them to go near battle targets

[Blood of Tyrants]

Quick, before they are completely out of range!

[AntiGuv]

Has Winnie Mandela booked her flight to Baghdad yet??

[Licensed-To-Carry]

Well, Duh.

[BunnySlippers]

The hard realities of being a "human shield".

[Gary Boldwater]

The useless idiots finally figured out they were useful idiots to Iraq and showed their true colours!

[rmvh]

It costs, plus or minus, $1,200 to fly to Bagdad from London.....Where did this human flotsam get the money?

[ewing]

Poor 'college lecturer'/human shield idiot- Usma Bashir 32, (read unemployed writer)

Saddam doesnt want to play fair!!

[Normal4me]

Lol!

"What do you mean the embassies are being evacuated!?!?! Aw crap!!!"

[Dog]

Shields up!!!

[GnL]

Interesting. If they were really protesting the war in general, they would have volunteered to be shields even at military sites. I guess some of them either got a dose of reality, or a case of the ME trots, whichever came first.

[Bob Mc]

" 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."

HAAAAAAAH! Some conviction, "human shields" my ass!

[ewing]

The human shields only needed about 200 pounds apiece for the bus ride.

[Dog]

This guy was saying earlier the Lads wouldn't bomb him.........LOL!

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".

[kesg]

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.

Where is the "do not drink coffee while reading this post" alert? What a mess...

[Xthe17th]

...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.

I don't get that. -?? - We aren't going to bomb those targets, especially the refineries! I think those are the sites the "shields" selected for themselves.

[w1andsodidwe]

Oh you mean, they really have to be someplace where they might be in danger?

Must be like the new style hunger strikes where they alternate skipping meals, so no one has to go all day without eating.

Ain't liberals heroic?

[XEHRpa]

Oh so liberal... form over substance