Kurds protest at French embassy

The Daily Telegraph ^ | March 15, 2003 | The Daily Telegraph

[MadIvan]

Iraqi Kurds living in Britain today delivered a petition protesting over the French anti-war stance. They petitioned the French embassy in central London, citing carried out under Saddam Hussein's regime as justification for war.

French leader Jacques Chirac is opposed to war and may use his country's power of veto in the United Nations security council to block a resolution permitting conflict.

Azos Rashid, a 20-year-old student and member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, was among those delivering the petition. He said: "Chirac is vetoing the hopes and lives of people in Iraq.

"I have to say the French embassy refused to acknowledge us. We were standing outside for 15 minutes when they did not acknowledge us."

The protest has coincided with the 15th anniversary of the Halabja massacre, where 5,000 Kurds were killed after the Iraqi government ordered a chemical weapons attack.

He added: "Millions of Kurds have died under Saddam. He is imposing his own sanctions on Kurds in the north. We want to liberate Iraq. Iraqis would rather live under George W Bush than Saddam Hussein."

[MadIvan]

Share this with a peacenik you love, but stand back when they gag and spew. ;)

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[eleni121]

BUMP!

[Sacajaweau]

bump

[CatOwner]

I read something earlier this week that said that the Kurds were looking into the oil contracts of France (and I think Russia) after Saddam has been removed from Iraq. Said they were seriously about voiding the oil contracts of any country that did not support their liberation from Saddam.

Did anyone else hear or read this, and if so, would the Kurds have the legal authority to void these contracts with France?

[CatOwner]

seriously = serious

[WOSG]

"Iraqis would rather live under George W Bush than Saddam Hussein."

That would make a great polling question for the post-Saddam Iraq electorate.

[Cosmo]

Interesting idea.I hadn't heard that.
I wouldn't worry about the legality of the scenario, though. I mean, if anything, all that would happen would be that the U.N. passes a resolution condemning the Kurds for screwing the French out of their money...What a hoot.

[dixiechick2000]

"I read something earlier this week that said that the Kurds were looking into the oil contracts of France (and I think Russia) after Saddam has been removed from Iraq. Said they were seriously about voiding the oil contracts of any country that did not support their liberation from Saddam."

I read that, too! I just can't remember where...probably on Free Republic, though.

They don't want to honor any contracts of countries that are backing Saddam.

[observer5]

I would not be surprised if the French would give the Iraqis Intel on the Allied movements etc. obtained through NATO. They copletely lost it.

[speekinout]

Did anyone else hear or read this, and if so, would the Kurds have the legal authority to void these contracts with France?

I read the same thing. A new Iraqi gov't could void the contracts. It's not clear how much say the Kurds will have in a new gov't. Bush is adamant that they won't get their own state, but they will be represented in the new gov't.
I think it's likely that most of the Iraqis, and not just the Kurds, will be thoroughly annoyed at the countries who supported Saddam.

And our gas prices will be ten cents a gallon + tax.
No doubt a huge tax.

[tenthirteen]

You are correct. This article was on the Drudgereport and was authored by the leader of the Kurds. My sense is that this concept is very complicated, what with the Kurds, Turks, Iraqis and others vying for access to this oil.