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<DIV><FONT face=Verdana size=2>from Helen Williams in Amman</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Verdana size=2>David</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Verdana size=2>Even here in Amman, I can still feel the
suffering of the Iraqi's. The <BR>slaughter of Fallujah is underway. I spent
time there during April's <BR>offensive, I know the place and many of the
people. While the 'insurgents' <BR>defend their positions with AK47's and Rocket
Propelled Grenades, the <BR>Americans attack with Howitzers, Planes,
Helicopters, Cluster bombs and <BR>Hellfire missiles. The weaponry sums up the
situation, but one thing is <BR>certain - these coming days will be marked down
in the pages of the history
<BR>books.<BR><BR><BR>Hi
Amman 10 <BR>November 2004<BR>As I sit here in Amman in relative safety, I
feel compelled to say something <BR>about the war crimes being committed against
the people of Fallujah. I went <BR>to Fallujah during the April seige of
the city and felt honoured to have <BR>been there - amongst the wonderful people
and brave fighting men of the <BR>'City of a Thousand Mosques'. By the time you
get this it may all be over - <BR>America may have won their peace - but this is
how things stood with me <BR>yesterday (Tuesday) evening.<BR><BR>So the final
'assault' (America's word) or massacre (everyone else's word) <BR>on Fallujah
has begun. Dubbed 'Phantom Fury', it is the war the networks <BR>have been
waiting for. CNN embeds Jane Arraf and Karl Penhaul spout <BR>propaganda
and little else for the war-hungry American public back home. <BR>Indeed, last
night (Monday), Penhaul had decided not to to accompany his <BR>unit into
Fallujah, prefering to remain around a mile from the city limits <BR>because of
the threat of booby trap bombs laid in the city by the <BR>Mujahadeen.<BR>It is
difficult to see what he can report on from there, although 'troop <BR>morale' -
soldiers playing cards and music - seems to be a favourite feature <BR>on CNN.
As it is, Jane Arraf doesn't say much either, paticularly not <BR>wanting to
report on US casualties - as of Tuesday evening more than 10 <BR>soldiers had
been killed in Fallujah and there were reports that 36 US <BR>troops had been
captured by the Mujahadeen. To find out any truth, or to see <BR>any real
footage of what's going on, you need to check out the Arabic <BR>networks such
as Al Arabia or Al Jazeera. It is widely believed that these <BR>stations get
much of their news from people inside Fallujah, members of the <BR>civilian
population who make phonecalls, take photos and make videos, in an <BR>attempt
to get some truth out.<BR>Estimates put the number of civilians who have
remained in Fallujah at over <BR>100,000, out of a population of 250,000. CNN
dubs them 'human shields'. <BR>Maybe they are - brave citizens who have decided
to stay come what may. They <BR>have chosen to stay in their homes as a 24 hour
curfew is declared for their <BR>city and they seem determined to make the US
military's job more difficult <BR>as America supposedly tries to avoid causing
extensive civilian casualties.<BR>I find it hard to believe this mock concern
that the US military tries to <BR>portray for the civilian population. One of
the first things they did during <BR>the final massacre was to surround and raid
the main hospital in the city. <BR>First they said that this was to keep it open
for civilian casualties - as <BR>if they were trying to say that the Mujahadeen
were going to prevent <BR>civilians from going to hosptial, or indeed close the
hospital - not a <BR>chance - it is only American forces that prevent people
attending hospital. <BR>After the Americans said this, they themselves actually
closed the hospital, <BR>saying that any civilian casualties could be taken to
Bagdad on tanks!! Have <BR>you ever heard anything so unbelievable or stupid?
How many spare tanks do <BR>you suppose the Americans have to be used as
ambulances in this way, and <BR>isn't this just the ultimate in using civilians
as human shields? On top of <BR>this, just how long will it take to get an
emergency case to a hospital in <BR>Bagdad, some 60 km away to the east?<BR>And
yesterday, in yet another atrocity committed by America, a clinic was <BR>bombed
from the air. All doctors, medical staff and already injured <BR>civilians
inside were killed. Did you hear about this - probably not.<BR>How can the US
military be concerned for the civilian population when they <BR>have dropped
over 500 heavy bombs on Fallujah since Monday? They have also <BR>been using 500
lb bombs to devastating effect. They are also using the <BR>'Hellfire' - burning
people alive.<BR>CNN has not yet reported any bad news for America, just saying
that the <BR>Resistance does not seem to be as well organised as the US soldiers
had <BR>feared. They have not reported:<BR>1 US helicopter has been shot
down.<BR>1 unmanned drone (reconnaisance plane) has been shot down (video
footage <BR>shown).<BR>4 tanks have been blown up.<BR>1 US soldier tells how he
saw 2 of his friends die in the city.<BR>Also there is widespread desertion
amongst the 2000 or so Iraqi soldiers <BR>taking part in the massacre. They are
either too frightened or unwilling to <BR>fight their countrymen. 1 high level
commander left his post on Sunday - he <BR>was said to be privy to America's
attack plans and it is thought that he may <BR>have been an infiltrator for the
Mujahadeen.<BR><BR>Who knows what the Americans will get up to during their
bloody and violent <BR>onslaught. When I was there in April, American snipers
shot a 10 year old <BR>boy in the head - I watched him die as his brave,
innocent parents screamed <BR>in agony and grief, but insisted we film their
dear little son's last <BR>moments.<BR>I saw 2 middle aged women die - they had
gone out of their homes to the <BR>shops, believing there to be a ceasefire and
were shot at by American <BR>snipers - one died clutching a white flag.<BR>The
clinic's only ambulance, already shot at and badly damaged in the <BR>morning,
was rendered unusable and undrivable in the afternoon, again by <BR>American
snipers, as it tried to reach a woman in labour, in an attempt to <BR>bring her
to the clinic. Unfortunately for American propaganda, the <BR>ambulance was full
of internationals and that bit of news got out, even <BR>reaching the Pentagon.
Yes, the American soldiers do attack ambulances.<BR>If you read my reports from
Fallujah in April ('Fallujah part 1' and <BR>'Fallujah continued'), you will
also see how US snipers prevented civilians <BR>reaching Fallujah's main
hosptial then and how, during a 'ceasefire', <BR>cluster bombs were dropped on
residential areas.<BR>What crimes will these murderous soldiers commit this
time. Because of the <BR>threat of kidnapping, people like me have left Iraq,
instead of going to <BR>Fallujah again to witness and report the truth.<BR>But
one telling moment was aired on CNN during one of their 'troop morale'
<BR>pieces. An American soldier stated how he couldn't wait to get into Fallujah
<BR>and "burn the b**tards".<BR>And many people I know have heards US troops
openly brag about how many <BR>Iraqis they have killed today, saying things like
"I got 12" and laughing.<BR><BR>CRITICISMS<BR><BR>Criticism for the onslaught on
Fallujah has come from far and wide:<BR>Kofi Annan put his concerns in writing
to the American, British and Iraqi <BR>Interim Governments.<BR>China has stated
its concern for civilian casualties in Fallujah.<BR>Turkey has warned America
over Iraqi victims and casualties.<BR>Moscow has said the attack should be
scaled down, depending on the size of <BR>the Resistance forces in
Fallujah.<BR>(But Japan says the attack is necessary for the future of
Iraq).<BR>Jordanian Muslim Scholars have criticised the US onslaught and called
for it <BR>to be halted.<BR>The Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq have
criticised the US forces, <BR>saying the attack on Fallujah should be stopped
immediately. They hold Prime <BR>Minister Allawi responsible and say the
election, scheduled for January, <BR>should not now go ahead because it will be
an election from the blood of the <BR>Iraqi people.<BR>The Islamic Party of Iraq
have pulled out of the Interim Government over the <BR>impending massacre. A
representative from the party cited the terrible <BR>living conditions endured
by Fallujah's residents who have no water or <BR>electricity. He told how many
of the inhabitants had fled - some to houses <BR>in Bagdad and around Fallujah,
but most of them suffering in tented camps <BR>around their home city - all
becoming refugees in their own country - all <BR>internally displaced by a war
they did not start. And many, if they survive, <BR>will return to houses of
rubble, shatterd homes and shattered lives.<BR>He went on to say (as do all
Iraqis) that the 'terrorist' Zakawi did not <BR>exist, calling him an 'American
phantom' and he demanded that the onslaught <BR>on Fallujah be stopped straight
away.<BR>Sadr's Office, closely linked to the mainly Shia Mahdi Army, is
criticising <BR>Prime Minister Allawi, the Iraqi Police and the Iraqi National
Guard and is <BR>calling for the attack on Fallujah to be halted.<BR><BR>Rotana
is an Arabic satellite music channel aired all over the Arab world. <BR>Music
videos are played on the station 24 hours a day. On the bottom of the <BR>screen
is a horizontal bar where greetings appear from members of the <BR>viewing
public. They are usually frivolous and friendly messages to pals or <BR>about
the music played. Not so during the last couple of days. The greetings <BR>bar
has been full of messages to Fallujah and Iraq. Here are a
selection:<BR>"Greetings to Fallujah people"<BR>"Iraq is still Iraq"<BR>"Allawi,
don't stick your nose up at Fallujah people - they are heroes"<BR>"Long live
Iraq"<BR>"Hi Hero Fallujah"<BR>"Iraq is the most loved country"<BR>"Hussein here
- Greetings to Fallujah".<BR><BR>OTHER NEWS<BR>It is not just brave Fallujah
that is resisting in Iraq.<BR>Here are some other things that have happened in
the last 24 hours - you may <BR>or may not have heard:<BR><BR>Ramadi, 45 km west
of Fallujah - there has been much Mujahadeen activity <BR>here, much fighting
which has resulted in the Resistance taking control of <BR>the centre of
Ramadi.<BR>However, American forces have surrounded Sofia quarter to the east of
the <BR>city.<BR>Two explosions have occurred in Ramadi's American military
base.<BR>Two suicide car bombers attacked and destroyed US tanks in the
city.<BR><BR>Hit, 65 km north west of Ramadi - the Resistance control the town
as of <BR>Tuesday evening.<BR><BR>Al Qaim, on the Syrian border north west of
Hit - much heavy Resistance <BR>fighting.<BR><BR>Bakuba, 55 km north of Bagdad -
three police stations were hit by car bombs <BR>which killed over 45, mainly
Iraqi Police. Casualties would have been much <BR>higher, but one of the police
stations received information that they were <BR>about to be attacked and so
managed to evacuate many people.<BR><BR>Kirkuk - a car bomb exploded at a police
station killing 3 Iraqis.<BR><BR>Samarra - an election candidate was
assassinated.<BR><BR>Mosul - Resistance fighting growing - 2 US soldiers
killed.<BR><BR>Baigi, north of Tikrit - Resistance fighting.<BR><BR>Kerbala - 1
Iraqi policeman killed, 9 injured.<BR><BR>Lattifya - a car bomb killed 2 British
mercenaries and a mortar round killed <BR>another British soldier, bringing the
total to 6 since Black Watch moved <BR>north.<BR><BR>Abu Gharib (town) - 2
Resistance fighters killed and 8 injured in fighting <BR>with American
soldiers.<BR><BR>Bagdad<BR>Green Zone - 4 mortars hit the Green Zone, smoke was
seen in the sky above <BR>the area.<BR>Haifa Street - heavy Resistance
fighting.<BR>Kerrada - the Finance Minister's house was hit by a car bomb
injuring one <BR>security guard.<BR>Karkh - police station manager injured by a
road side bomb, his security <BR>guard was killed.<BR>Daura - police station hit
by a bomb and two churches were hit by car bombs, <BR>five minutes apart. 3
Iraqis were killed and 7 injured. A car with a bomb <BR>followed the Iraqi
Police taking victims to Al Yarmouk Hospital and there <BR>the bomb was
detonated, killing 5 Iraqi Police and damaging the front of the
<BR>hosptial.<BR>Rumours abound that some members of Allawi's family have been
kidnapped.<BR>I personally do not see how attacking churches, hospitals or Iraqi
civilians <BR>helps get rid of the hated occupation and I believe that the
people doing <BR>these things are very different from those resisting and
fighting in places <BR>like Fallujah, Ramadi and Hit.<BR>When we heard of the
attack on the Daura churches, Hussein, one of our <BR>friends here in Amman,
panicked - his family live just behind one of the
<BR>churches.<BR><BR>Curfew<BR>Bagdad now has a 10.30 pm - 4.30 am curfew
imposed on the whole city. This <BR>is to the detriment of the whole civilian
population there. Just take the <BR>street where I was living in the main
shopping area of Kerrada as an <BR>example. The shops there do not close until
almost midnight and clearing up <BR>from the day often continues after this
time. Now, during the curfew, the <BR>shops and stalls must close much earlier.
Not only must they shut and clear <BR>up by 10.30 pm, but time must be allowed
for the journey home - often to <BR>other areas of Bagdad. Take Sari, for
example, in the internet cafe - he <BR>must get to Al Qanat. Or Safa'a, the 'ice
man' must go home to Sadr City and <BR>Abu Ali must reach Zafarania. The effects
of this curfew on men working to <BR>support their families could be serious as
much needed earnings are lost.<BR>The curfew also drives more fear, if that is
possible, into the ordinary <BR>Iraqi, already worn out and stressed by the lack
of security, water and <BR>electricity and fast losing any hope of ever seeing a
stable and peaceful <BR>Iraq.<BR>People who need to go to hospital in the middle
of the night, or who have <BR>work shifts to attend, must now run the gauntlet
of the curfew. During the <BR>summer in the hot waking hours when I could not
sleep, I would see many men <BR>from my neighbourhood leave for work from 3.30
am onwards - what will they <BR>do now?<BR>And many of the poorest people in
Bagdad can be seen wandering the streets <BR>in the quiet carless hours before
dawn collecting drink cans for recycling <BR>for a few hundred dinar a kilo. Now
they will have to go out in the day to <BR>earn their meagre living amongst the
busy shoppers and car filled streets.<BR><BR>So as the American army continue to
ravage Fallujah and turn it to rubble, <BR>we see Resistance kicking off all
over Iraq.<BR><BR>The American soldiers have always been scared of Fallujah and
most are <BR>terrified now, just following orders, even more scared to lay down
their <BR>weapons and say "No, this is wrong".<BR>Meanwhile the brave men of the
Mujahadeen are fighting for something, for <BR>something they really believe in
- whether it is their city, their home, <BR>their family, revenge, their way of
life or religion - one thing is certain, <BR>it is not for wages or
orders.<BR>CNN and their ilk can call these men what they like - terrorists,
Islamic <BR>fundamentalists, Saddam loyalists or foreign fighters. It doesn't
matter <BR>what they say. The men of the Mujahadeen in Fallujah (and everwhere
else in <BR>Iraq), like the Mahdi Army men I met in Kufa, are amongst the
bravest, most <BR>decent and most honourable men in all Iraq and they deserve to
do well and <BR>survive, to live - maybe to fight somewhere else another day.
But most of <BR>all they deserve our respect, our admiration and our hopes and
prayers. One <BR>thing is certain events of the next few days will be marked
down in the <BR>pages of history.<BR><BR>All for now<BR>Helen Williams<BR>In
Amman, Jordan<BR>From Newport, South Wales.<BR></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>