We call on those states responsible for the invasion and occupation of Iraq to terminate their illegal and immoral war, and express our solidarity with the Iraqi people in their struggle for peace, justice and self-determination.

In particular, we demand:

  1. An immediate end to the US and UK-led occupation of Iraq;
  2. Urgent action to fully address the current humanitarian crises facing Iraq’s people, including help for the more than three million refugees and displaced persons;
  3. An end to all foreign interference in Iraq's affairs, including its oil industry, so that Iraqis can exercise their right to self-determination;
  4. Compensation and reparations from those countries responsible for war and sanctions on Iraq;
  5. Prosecution of all those responsible for war crimes, human rights abuses, and the theft of Iraq's resources.

We demand justice for Iraq.

This statement was adopted by the Justice for Iraq conference in London on 19th July 2008. We plan to publish this more widely in future. If you would like to add your name to the list of supporters please contact us.

Friday 15 May 2009

Corporations eye up Iraq opportunities

Here's some interesting material from Greg Muttitt, formerly with Platform, on the corporate takeover of Iraq's oil. One of the central demands of Justice for Iraq is the restoration to the people of Iraq of full sovereignty over its economic resources.

“UK businessmen are champing at the bit to get into Iraq,” declared Michael Thomas, head of the Middle East Association trade promotion group, in March. “We just need someone to talk to.” On April 30, Thomas’ request was granted when the UK-sponsored ‘Invest Iraq’ conference took place in London. It occurred on the same day that British troops began their withdrawal from Iraq, handing their Basra base over to U.S forces. Speaking to representatives of over 100 major companies UK Secretary of State for Business Peter Mandelson noted that the British government had already arranged 19 investment visits to Iraq, generating US $10 billion of proposals. Lord Mandelson led the most recent of those visits – a delegation of 23 companies to Baghdad and Basra on April 6. The Invest Iraq conference aimed not only to bang the drum for investment in Iraq, but also to arrange one-to-one meetings for companies with Iraqi decision-makers. The delegation included five members of the cabinet, led by Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh. “Iraq is the largest greenfield investment opportunity on earth,” said Sami al-Araji, chair of Iraq’s National Investment Commission. “I could be exaggerating, but I’m not.” He did not need to convince anyone. The fact that the event was attended by several hundred businesspeople – with hundreds more having been turned away – spoke for itself.

For the full article: http://www.niqash.org/content.php?contentTypeID=28&id=2443&lang=0

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