'HUMAN SHIELDS' GATHERING IN BAGHDAD

nypost ^ | 2-14-03 | Sameer N. Yacoub

[Jimmyclyde]

'HUMAN SHIELDS' GATHERING IN BAGHDAD By SAMEER N. YACOUB Associated Press Writer

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BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) . American and European peace activists wrapped their arms around posts on a bridge over the Tigris River on Thursday, symbolizing their intent to act as human shields in any U.S. war on Iraq.

The 14 activists, mostly from Italy, were one of the first groups here using the ``shield'' title, which suggests they might place their bodies at potential targets to deter bombing. But they acknowledged their mission was only a gesture meant to try to deter an invasion to topple Saddam Hussein.

``I have no intention of being a martyr,'' Canadian Roberta Taman said. ``I'm here because I believe that the world wants peace and that we can achieve peace.''

The campaigners, organized as the Iraq Peace Team, have been draping banners over public facilities in Baghdad this week . an electricity station, a water treatment plant and, on Thursday, the Martyrs Bridge over the Tigris. ``Bombing This Site Is A War Crime,'' the banners read.

Dozens of other ``human shields'' . Europeans and Americans . obtained visas at the Iraqi Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, on Tuesday and were also headed for Iraq, riding in double-decker buses.

``A country that can hardly provide water for its citizens cannot be a threat to the world,'' Ignacio Cano of Spain said.

Some of the activists charge that the Geneva Conventions governing the practices of war make it a crime to attack facilities essential to civilian life, as the U.S. military did in the 1991 Gulf War when its bombs knocked out Iraq's electricity system.

Standing on the bridge, Iraq Peace Team leader Kathy Kelly of Chicago said, ``You can imagine what this city would be like if it were cut off when some people need desperately to get to a hospital or to connect with the people on the other side.''

In New York on Thursday, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the 15 Security Council members were meeting to discuss the potential humanitarian consequences of a war in Iraq.

The U.N. refugee agency said it is concerned about possible shortages of food, drinking water, winterized shelters, sanitation, and other basic services. It says 600,000 Iraqis might flee to neighboring countries if war breaks out.

As peace groups here and around the world readied for marches and rallies Saturday in protest of U.S. war plans, the U.N. arms inspectors in Iraq quietly went about another day's business Thursday.

Among other missions, a U.N. chemical team began the neutralization of mustard gas from 10 artillery shells at the former al-Muthanna chemical weapons installation in the desert northwest of Baghdad.

The 155mm shells, whose complete neutralization is expected to take another two or three days, were the first banned weapons destroyed by the U.N. teams in the new round of inspections that began last Nov. 27. The shells were actually inventoried by previous U.N. inspectors in the 1990s, but were not destroyed before that inspections regime collapsed in 1998.

02-13-03 1359EST

[Marysecretary]

Peacepunks annoy the living daylights outta me! I'm surrounded by them here and was once even a Peace Studies secretary. I know a bit about how they think (or don't think). All this idealism they're fed will end up with their being slaughtered. They mean well, I'm sure, and they're good people but they've been brainwashed. It will be sad for them when they lie in pieces thanks to Mr. Hussein and his idiots.

[Marysecretary]

Did you expect any?

[AmericanInTokyo]

They have GOT to make this a humorous opening skit on the next SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE!

[Marysecretary]

Now THAT would be worth watching (smile).

[geedee]

Their next protest...

By the way...Hillary always takes a morning swim.

[OneLoyalAmerican]

Yoo Hoo, Human Shields

Before it‘s too late. This one's on me.

______________________ Name
______________________ Birth Date
______________________ City
______________________ State
______________________ Gender
______________________ Signature
______________________ Date
_________1 year________ Term
________$500,000.00____ Coverage
___OneLoyalAmerican____ Beneficiary

[FryingPan101]

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) . American and European peace activists wrapped their arms around posts on a bridge over the Tigris River on Thursday, symbolizing their intent to act as human shields in any U.S. war on Iraq."

This is a dream come true. Come one come all. Hollywood types, anarchists,cowards,Senators,......no need to apply....just come....please.

[plain talk]

``A country that can hardly provide water for its citizens cannot be a threat to the world,''

One of the more stupid quotes out the day.

[Brad’s Gramma]

bttt

[hope]

no

[redheadtoo]

To peaceniks the world over, can you say KABOOM!!

[gitmo]

Whichever network keeps their cameras trained on these clowns when the attacks start will win the ratings game for the war.

[Diana Rose]

Future Darwin Award Winners convention. The location of next year's 2nd annual Future Darwin Award Winners convention has yet to be determined pending the number of idiots that learned for this year's conventioneers mistake.

[John Jorsett]

I don't believe in the death penalty for being a well-meaning but misguided idiot, so I hope that these folks are actually siding with Hussein. Whatever else they may be, they're certainly candidates for a Darwin award.

[Diana Rose]

Bet the first words out of these idiot's mouths when the bombing starts will be either...

They aren't suppost to do that

or

Their are like really bombing us.

[Diana Rose]

suppose = suppost

[Young Werther]

Fair's Fair!

Food for the Iraq civilians

Depends for the "shields"! Maybe we should also include panty shields!

[Lx]

Imagine if we'd have know about 9-11 in advance. I'm sure these people would have volunteered to sit on the planes, hang out on the top floors of the WTC or in the Pentagon all to prevent the peace loving Muslims from being forced to attack us for our imperialist ways.

In fact, why not have them at places like the Golden Gate and Bay bridges, the Washington monument and random flights out of Logan, Newark, JFK and Reagan airports?

They could also hang out at any shop in Israel, too. In fact, some reporter should ask why they don't. I'd love to hear their answers.