Afghanistan and the war on terror. the crisis deepens
1) AFGHANISTAN: THE CRISIS DEEPENS
Rumours that General Petreaus is quitting command of the US
forces in Afghanistan are an indication of the turmoil over
Afghanistan policy.
The Petraeus' troop "surge" has not led to a military
breakthrough. Attempts to build up anti-Taliban Afghan forces are
in tatters, after in-fighting broke out amongst rival groups in
Helmand this week.
Meanwhile violence in Afghanistan is at an all time high. Recent
figures show civilian casualties have increased by 31 percent
since last year. The number of children killed in the war is up
55 percent.
Seven British soldiers have died in the last week -- hardly
reported in the media -- bringing the total to 357, almost double
the number of those killed in Iraq.
Fighting is due to restart in earnest in the spring and US
Admiral Mike Mullen issued a warning this week that 2011 will be
even more violent than 2010 -- the worst year of the war so far.
Stop the War is organising a day of protests on Saturday 12 March
against NATO's involvement in Afghanistan. Stop the War activists
will be out in town centres up and down the country calling for
the troops to come home.
This is less than two weeks before the government sets a budget
and a golden opportunity for us to protest the waste of billions
on a pointless war at a time of massive cutbacks.
If you would like to get involved in local activity on the March
12 Day of Action, please contact the Stop the War national
office: 020 7801 2768 or
office@stopwar.org.uk.
***************************************
2) SOLIDARITY EVENTS WITH THE EGYPTIAN REVOLUTION
The protest movement that is sweeping across the Middle East is a
disaster for US policy in the region. Hosni Mubarak was the
America's key ally in the Arab world. Now regimes in Jordan,
Yemen, Algeria and even Bahrain -- home of the US fifth fleet --
are under threat from mass protest.
The anti-war movement has consistently opposed western
intervention in the region and supports the struggle of the
people there for freedom and democracy.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
OPEN AIR RALLY FRIDAY 18 FEBRUARY FROM 5-8PM
MARBLE ARCH, LONDON: Solidarity rally to coincide with the Cairo
celebration/protest being held in Tahrir Square.
----------------------------------------------------
PUBLIC RALLY: WEDNESDAY 2 MARCH, 7PM
WHAT NEXT FOR THE EGYPTIAN REVOLUTION?
Speakers include Human Rights Lawyer Louise Christian, John Rees
-- who has been an eyewitness to events in Cairo, Jeremy Corbyn
MP and Egyptian speakers, including Youssef El Bady from the
April 6th Committee.
CONWAY HALL,
RED LION SQUARE
LONDON WC1R 4RL
Organised by Stop the War Coalition and the Initiative for the
Liberation of Egypt
--------------------------------------------------------
PETITION
Please also sign the petition in support of the struggle for
democracy in Egypt, here:
http://stopwar.iparl.com/lobby/15/>***************************************
3) FINANCIAL APPEAL
Stop the War has been very busy in the last few weeks. In London
we have organised a large rally and an emergency demonstration in
support of the Egyptian people. We also organised a packed
meeting in support in defence of Wikileaks.
Elsewhere there have been a series of solidarity rallies and
meetings calling for troops out of Afghanistan.
We are planning a day conference on Afghanistan and the War on
Terror on June 11th and we are collaborating with others on a
European Conference against Islamophobia on May 21st.
All of this work needs funding and Stop the War relies entirely
on contributions from our supporters and supporting
organisations. Please give as generously as you can, either by
post or online. Your contribution can make a difference.
ONLINE:
http://bit.ly/9seAbb/>BY PHONE: 020 7801 2768
BY POST: Send a cheque payable to "Stop the War Coalition" to:
Stop the War Coalition, 231 Vauxhall Bridge Road London SW1 1EH
