The following is an archived copy of a message sent to a Discussion List run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
Views expressed in this archived message are those of the author, not of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
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Dear List, If anything, world opposition to this 'war' has intensified. For the Anglo-American public, the outrage, disgust, and frustration of the world may be difficult to fathom. Still, the media everywhere reports from the aggressors' perspective. And if it were not for Al-Jazeera, the world would be cushioned from the horrors of this 'act of humanity'. Understandably, the outside world's reaction often differs too. And since the warring parties are always interested in foreign hearts and minds, I am going to post some of the opinions. (These are letters to the editor published in the Frankfurter Rundschau.) Here is a translation of a reader's letter about Al-Jazeera's images of the victims: <QUOTE> Real deaths Re: "The horrifying message of the images" (March 25, 2003). The American plan to present this war as a game show and a spectacular victory orgy on TV channels worldwide has failed. And rightly so. The media's mass presentation of war as a military entertainment show is an inappropriate manipulation of the public. It is aimed to diminish people's ability to judge. By contrast, Al-Jazeera's images show at least partially the atrocities of war. War is neither surgical nor clinically clean. If there were only CCN, Fox News, and Sky-TV in Iraq, TV viewers would simply be hoodwinked. Those who support this war must also be made to view the corpses which this 'enterprise' produces. The public must be informed about the atrocities of war. That the media is going to be manipulated by the warring parties is unavoidable. But with Al-Jazeera we now have a counterbalance to the American fair-weather war journalism. The American people too will come to realize that war is not a virtual computer game to gawk at over beer and chips. They also see American soldiers die a real death. [Name] <END QUOTE> And here is a comment about Washington's complaints that the Iraqis fight 'dirty': <QUOTE> Against the rules Re: "Even the white flag arouses suspicion" (March 26). As a conscientious objector, I am constantly amazed at the annoyance of high-ranking military if the enemy doesn't stick to the 'rules'. A few days ago, a general complained to the assembled world press at the Pentagon that Iraqi militia had used a white flag to lure American soldiers into an ambush. Does this man even know what he is talking about? His soldiers are at war now, not at training. At war it may happen that shots are fired from places of worship and that the Red Cross of the ambulance and the white flag are used under false pretences. And now this general is trying to make us believe that such methods are unusual, mean, and dirty. I am absolutely against war and believe that every war could be prevented. But if it does happen, the warring parties (or rather party) should not get upset that the enemy tries his utmost to kill them. After all, this is the objective of a war, if a remember correctly. [Name] <END QUOTE> After the war started, young people in Europe went to protest at US embassies. In Geneva, Switzerland the police teargassed school children who tried to approach the compound of the US mission. - Staff of the nearby WHO watched and then retreated. Police in Hamburg used water-canons and truncheons to disperse young protesters. Here is a reader's letter: <QUOTE> Thanks to the boys at Hamburg police Re: "Peace demonstrations - police action against school children criticized" (March 26) Many thanks to the police of Hamburg for their bravery in breaking up a dangerous student demonstration with water-canons and truncheons. It appears that even nine-year-olds were among the offenders. And the offence? This dangerous group of people was actually trying to go to the US embassy to demonstrate in protest. According to eye witnesses, a small minority threw sticks, bottles, and cans at US tanks. The full force of the law must of course be applied to punish such abominable crime. And what does this tell us? We should be ashamed for three reasons: First, we should be ashamed to have laws that protect the representatives of a country that has been waging an illegal war of aggression against Iraq for a long time - instead these people should be deported. We should be ashamed to have police that use such brutal force on our children and young people. And we should be ashamed for not having taken part in the protest ourselves. But besides the anger and the horror about these brutal police actions in Hamburg we have gained new hope: If this generation says so emphatically NO, it sets a good example for us, and gives us courage. Thank you to all young people in these sad days - we are proud of you. [Name] <END QUOTE> Regards, Elga Sutter _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk