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A month ago Harry posted a piece at his Place about the "Angry Brigade" - "homeless" leftists who do not support the antics of STWC, Respect, Socialist Alliance and what have you:
In the past when there have been major divisions on the left there have usually been parties, factions or other sorts of political "homes" for those who share a perspective...Yet those on the left who rejected the position of the Stoppers have had nowhere to turn, no forum, no outlet for their views especially if you feel uncomfortable with the label "Blairite".
I just get the impression that there are quite a few, rebellious, angry but isolated, homeless lefties knocking about these days and I'm not sure where we are going to end up other than ranting down the pub.
Which does seem a bit of a waste.
Clive Bradley from AWL, which was against invasion, but supports reconstruction of a democratic Iraq, has made some excellent points in comments at Harry's recently:
Demanding that a force over which, as you say, we have no influence or control - the Pentagon - in effect roll up its sleeves and do what must be done... Really: what sort of left can demand such a thing?
and
There is an alternative, represented by the young, fragile, workers movement, women's movement, and so on. And our job, if we mean anything at all, is to build support for them - against both lots of potential executioners.
And finally, there is Douglas' anguished post at Last of the Famous Internation Playboys:
The Bush administration appears catastrophically stupid. If we succeed here, it will be not only despite the insurgency but despite this administration's venality and ineptitude.
What kind of left can demand that the Pentagon roll up its sleeves and do what needs to be done?
Damn it - THIS left! It's time to stand up.
Support for Iraqi democrats and secularists and workers has all but been drowned out by the squeaky wheels of the pro-Saddam lobby. Bloggers can sit there churning out post after post for all the difference we make to the world.
I realise that people have different levels of involvement - some have contact with groups in Iraq, others with expat organisations, some give money. There are many who would give support if they knew how.
So let's put it together - not a formal organisation or party or another blog, but some public means of directing support for Iraqi democrats, and equally as important, attempt to exert pressure on the US administration to lift their game.
Constructive input from Marxists, social democrats, "third campers", left-liberals and even "Blairites" is welcome. Discussion can be moved somewhere else - this isn't about me. Please no bitching and whining from supporters of the "resistance" - this is not about you either.
Posted by hakmao at April 24, 2004 06:51 PMHear hear! I suggest we start by supporting organisations such as the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions and the Iraqi Prospect Organisation.
Posted by: Phil at April 24, 2004 08:45 PMAccording to the Iraq Prospect Organisation's (IPO) website they are funded by the U.S. State Department.
Their "Human Rights and Rule of Law Task Force" included Salem Chalabi, nephew of the embezzler and IGC member Ahmad Chalabi, whose other nephew, Ali Allawi, has been appointed by the U.S. as Iraq's new Defence Minister. Ahmad and his private armed militia are paid for by the U.S. government who apparently aren't too concerned that the "intelligence" he provided regarding Iraqs WMD was complete baloney.
The IPO's report - "The Transition to Democracy in Iraq" - "takes as its point of departure the resolutions of the 27-31 October 1992
conference of the Iraqi National Congress".
The Iraqi National Congress are, surprise, surprise, headed by Ahmad Chalabi. In a recent survey of Iraqi opinion by Oxford Research International Chalabi had virtually no support within Iraq. A mere 0.2% would vote for him. When asked which politician do you LEAST trust Chalabi won by a large margin.
Is there any reason to doubt the Iraqi Prospect Organisation are just shills for the Chalabi gang, who are to democracy what garlic is to vampires?
Posted by: Ron F at April 25, 2004 02:05 AMRon F,
Do you have any ideas on how to assist Iraqi democrats? That was the point of Hak Mao's post.
Posted by: Gene at April 25, 2004 03:38 AMGene -
I've just suggested you stop being blowhards for Chalabi. How big do the letters have to be?
Posted by: Ron F at April 25, 2004 04:11 AMI've just suggested you stop being blowhards for Chalabi. How big do the letters have to be?
There is evidence that Chalabi is being marginalized by US officials. And that's a good thing.
But how about some more positive ideas?
Posted by: Gene at April 25, 2004 05:32 AMHi there. Just to be clear, what I meant by 'roll up its sleeves' is 'use overwhelming military force'.
And while it is surely reasonable to pute demands on (sorry, Trotspeak for 'exert pressure on') the US and British authorities, I can't see there's much point doing that regarding the Pentagon. Aside from the generalities, part of the handover of sovereignty at the end of June is that the Pentagon hands over responsibility for policy in Iraq to the State Dept.
But on the general point, we can and should unite to build solidarity with trade unions and others.
Posted by: Clive at April 25, 2004 06:20 AMThe trade unions could do with some help in Iraq.
The Americans are not too keen on them, to put it mildly.
Thanks for this post, Hak Mao. It's good not to feel so alone. Get up, Stand up! indeed.
Posted by: Douglas at April 25, 2004 08:07 AMClive, sorry if you thought I was playing fast and loose when I quoted you, but my intent was honourable. You are right about the Pentagon, I was thinking more along the lines of State. If you have contacts who are happy to have their details published in a public forum, let's hear about them.
Posted by: hakmao at April 25, 2004 12:53 PMI have started work on a webpage, which is pretty empty at the moment, give me stuff to fill it up!
IPO has not been included at this stage. What do people think about linking to parties like the ICP, or the Kurdish parties?
Hopefully a better page will in a few days, with a contacts list, suggestion box, and a list of 'action items'.
Once again, your contributions are sought and welcomed...
Posted by: hakmao at April 25, 2004 01:12 PMChalabi eh? Not too trusting of him myself. But I also know that his embezzelment trial in Jordan was conducted under extraordinary circumstances by a secret military court, in absentia (Jordanian Officers). Could be that he's guilty, could be otherwise. The labour union support is a good idea, unless the union activists are Marxist Revolutionaries, as they sometimes are (blood in the gutters). The problem of trying to straighten out a really crooked country like Iraq with a long bad history might just be some uber-hubris dream in the West. It may just ah faw down, though not, of course, on any of us caring good folk. G
Posted by: Gerry at April 25, 2004 05:59 PMI would be very in favour of linking to the ICP. They talk a lot more sense over Iraq than the STWC do.
Posted by: Phil at April 25, 2004 06:37 PMI'm really up for this. Im the absence of a habitable campiagn, I've gravitated towards footie4iraq (run by the CARE NGO). They use footy to create links between/within communities and to build capacity (community deveopment speak for encouraging people to develop organsational skills)
Having said that, footy does seem a bit too peripheral right now and I would rather find myself a pro-union/democracy campaign.
Anyone planning to go to the Iraqi national team matches in May?