U.S. troops arrest Iraqi union leaders http://www.workdayminnesota.org/view_article.php?id=f08fffbfbb980959485761788c20d507 December 15, 2003 BAGHDAD, Iraq — U.S. troops from the Coalition Provisional Authority now running Iraq arrested 10 Iraqi leaders of two labor federations and removed files from offices of one of them, the federation and a U.S. union journalist who had traveled to Iraq reported. Soldiers arriving in 10 humvees arrested eight executive board members of the Iraqi Federation of Workers Trade Unions on Dec. 6, spokesman Abdullah Muhsin said. They were released Dec. 7. And the IFTU offices, in a converted bus station, had their signs covered with black paint and their files removed, Muhsin added. The troops gave no reason for their actions, he said. Troops arrested two leaders of another labor group, the Union of the Unemployed, on Nov. 23, and released them the next day, said David Bacon, a member of the Northern California Newspaper Guild who spent several days in Iraq in mid-November. "The attackers ransacked and destroyed the IFTU's posses-sions, tearing down banners and posters condemning acts of terror, tarnishing the...building's main front with black paint and smashing window glass, without any reason or explanation," an IFTU statement said. "The IFTU, one of the most important organizations of civil society, includes within its ranks sons of working class, the builders of...the democratic future of Iraq," it pointed out. IFTU called the arrests and painting "an unjustified terrorizing act by the occupation forces, which targeted trade unionist cadres and leaders...well-known for their struggle" against former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. IFTU leaders went underground or into exile during Hussein's rule. The Iraqi union called the arrests "a blatant attack on human rights" and demanded reparations and an apology from the authority. It did not speculate on why the arrests occurred. Bacon linked the arrests to the Bush administration's decision to privatize Iraqi industry, except for oil, and to allow immediate export of all profits to western firms that take over Iraqi state-owned enterprises. "U.S. funding in Iraq pays for an overwhelming military presence, and transformation of the Iraqi economy. Both are intended to make the country attractive to foreign investors," he said. Iraq has no jobless benefits, and an unemployment rate estimated at up to 70 percent, Bacon added. This article was written by Press Associates, Inc., news service. Used by permission. We have just received an urgent appeal from the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions which we feel needs to be passed on to the largest possible number of trade unionists in the next several days. On Saturday, dozens of US troops in ten armoured cars raided the IFTU temporary headquarters in Baghdad, smashing windows, seizing documents, and even tearing down posters and banners condemning terrorism. Eight IFTU leaders were arrested, but were released the following day, unharmed.No reason or explanation was given for the raid. The IFTU is calling on President Bush to conduct a full investigation of the raid and to ensure that it will not be repeated. The United States must respect the right of workers under international law to have free and independent trade unions. You can see how well the campaign is going by clicking here: http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/actnow/counter.pl (Under 'Current campaigns' it's number 1.) The mass mailing only went out at around midnight due to problems on ourserver, so we're averaging around 75 messages going out every hour toPresident Bush. We have just over 650 messages sent so far, and this isbefore the Americans or most Europeans have gotten to their desks. Myguess is that by the end of the day today (at midnight) we should havebetween 1,500 to 2,000 messages reaching the US President. LATE NEWS: From South Africa -- great news. >>>"Patrick Craven" 12/10/03 11:54AM >>> COSATU condemns US attack on Iraqi trade unions The Congress of South African Trade Unions condemns the US armed forces' raid on the headquarters of the Iraqi Federation of Workers' Trade Unions (IFTU) on Saturday 6 December 2003. According to the IFTU, the American forces, using about ten armoured cars and tens of soldiers, attacked the federation's temporary headquarters (at the headquarters of the Transport and Communication Union, in Karkh district, Allawi Al Hilla, Baghdad) and arrested 8 of its leaders, who were handcuffed and taken away to an unknown destination. The attackers ransacked and destroyed the IFTU's possessions, tearing down banners and posters condemning acts of terror, tarnishing the name of the IFTU, and that of the General Union of Transport Workers, with black paint and smashing windows, without giving any reason or explanation. COSATU welcomes the release of the 8 trade unionists on Sunday 7 December 2003 and the fact that they were unharmed, but deplores what the IFTU rightly calls "a blatant violation of democracy and human rights". We demand that the US forces stop any further attacks on trade union offices, or further arrests of trade union leaders and that the US pays compensation for the damage inflicted upon the IFTU headquarters as a result of their aggression. For further information please phone Abdullah Muhsin, London Representative of the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions, on 00 44 (0) 79 31 41 63 44, or visit Labourstart on: http://lnn.labourstart.org/more.php?id=103_0_1_0_M Patrick Craven Acting COSATU Spokesperson patrick@cosatu.org.za 082-821-7456 339-4911 --------------------------------- BT Yahoo! Broadband - Save £80 when you order online today. Hurry! Offer ends 21st December 2003. The way the internet was meant to be. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark Printer at MyInks.com. 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