h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

think its all over?
its not yet...

On 30th June the US will hand over ‘sovereignty’ to a so-called Iraqi Interim Government (IIG). The US and British governments will no doubt make a big show about this being the ‘end’ of the occupation. In reality it will be nothing of the kind:

-The US/UK military occupation of Iraq will continue and the US will remain in control of the Iraqi army.

-The IIG will be a selected - not elected - body with zero democratic mandate. The deadline for the first elections (for a so-called Iraqi
Transitional Government) is not until 31 Jan 2005 - if they ever materialise.

-The Iraqi Transitional Government (IIG) is prohibited from reversing any of the laws that the US has passed since it occupied Iraq.

-The US will ‘still control the bulk of Iraq’s capital budget, largely funded by US taxpayers’ (Economist, 24 April).

-The US is creating a new secret police force for Iraq which ‘the Pentagon and CIA have told the White House … will allow America to maintain control over the direction of the country’ (Sunday Telegraph, 4 Jan)

-The US will simply be moving to an “embassy” [1] with about 1000 US – and 700 foreign – employees (NYT, 28 April) where ‘most power will reside’ (AP, 21 March).

http://www.voicesuk.org/

HACKNEY STOP THE WAR COALITION
UPDATE - 28/06/2004

* * PROTESTS WILL CONTINUE AGAINST THE OCCUPATION OF IRAQ * *

The much-vaunted "handover" to the Iraqi interim government took place
unannounced this morning. Blair and Bush would like us to believe that Iraqis now "free", that the occupation is over and that the time has come to "draw a line" under our past "disagreements"*. The reality is that, behind the mask of this all-appointed regime, the occupation continues. The US retains control of all the most important levers of military and economic power in Iraq.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hackneystopwar/


FUTURE PROTESTS:

4 JULY, MENWITH HILL: INDEPENDENCE FROM AMERICA PROTEST AT THE US SPYBASE.

9 JULY, LONDON: PUT THE PRIVATISATION OF IRAQ ON TRIAL.
Trial of two anti-war activists charged with 'aggravated trespass' at the Shell-sponsored business conference 'Iraq Procurement 2004: meet the buyers'. 10am, Highbury Magistrates Court. Supporters welcome.

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