Human shields seek to enter Iraq

[Evanauto]

Some 10 members of the Chicago-based peace activist group Voices in the Wilderness, along with six Spaniards, were in the Jordanian capital Amman preparing to drive across the border into Iraq.

The activists said they wanted to stay with Iraqi families inside their homes to deter attacks if a war begins.

They hope to join dozens of others from around the world in Baghdad offering to station themselves at strategic locations such as power plants, water purification facilities and archaeological sites.

"I am going to Iraq because I want a better world for my children and my grandchildren," Canadian writer Zahira Houfani, a member of Voices in The Wilderness, told The Associated Press.

"I miss my youngest grandchild ... but my presence with the Iraqi children and my conscience are stronger than my family obligations," said 50-year-old Houfani, who called a war on Iraq "unjust and criminal."

Group member Shane Claiborne, 27, from Philadelphia, said: "We pledge to do all we can to be the voices for our brothers and sisters in Iraq."

The Spaniards were not with the Chicago-based group. Two of them said they arrived in Jordan about two weeks ago to enter Iraq and demonstrate the differences between their government's support for military action and Spanish public opposition.

Spain has joined America and Britain in proposing to deliver an ultimatum to Saddam demanding he give up his suspected banned weapons by March 17 or face war. Iraq denies it has weapons of mass destruction.

"I hope the Spanish presence in Iraq will force our government to retract from its support of the U.S.-led war against the innocent, helpless people of Iraq," said one of the Spaniards, who asked to be identified only as Sandiego, a 45-year-old meteorologist.

U.S. officials say it is a war crime to use civilians as human shields and that there is no way to guarantee their safety.

[CrazyPyroPunk99]

Thats really noble of those people

[IndecentXposure]

I give them 10 days.

[Ted-Easton]

Iraq has thrown out a half dozen of them for "asking stupid questions".

[Commander-K25]

Human shields? Saddam loves those people. One group that moved in to "protect" a school was shocked to discover that an Iraqi army regiment was then billeted in their location. Saddam is counting on us not to shoot at the "human shields".

[Zapman]

what a bunch of retards! Why would someone want to get in the way of a bullet.

[TheShrike]

Human sheild=idiot

[TheEvilOne]

I wonder--are the human shields still there? If they are, they're idiots. I would bet that at least some of them have fled.

[NoNameProphet]

At 3/9/03 11:38 PM, Commander-K25 wrote: Human shields? Saddam loves those people. One group that moved in to "protect" a school was shocked to discover that an Iraqi army regiment was then billeted in their location. Saddam is counting on us not to shoot at the "human shields".

Just goes to show that "Every noble human deed can be perverted"(Self.. lol).

[mysecondstar]

i'm fairly certain that the US has gone through great pains to reduce collateral damage. i'm sure that urban warfare will be primarily used in Baghdad to better pick out Iraqi forces still wanting to fight. military and strategic targets will be part of the "shock and awe" bombing campaign.

[Commander-K25]

At 3/20/03 12:11 AM, mysecondstar wrote: i'm fairly certain that the US has gone through great pains to reduce collateral damage. i'm sure that urban warfare will be primarily used in Baghdad to better pick out Iraqi forces still wanting to fight. military and strategic targets will be part of the "shock and awe" bombing campaign.

I've heard, (can't remember where), that one possible plan is to surround Baghdad and cut it off while special forces (seals, Delta Force, etc.) goes in for Saddam and other top Iraqi leaders.

[mysecondstar]

At 3/20/03 12:22 AM, Commander-K25 wrote:

At 3/20/03 12:11 AM, mysecondstar wrote: i'm fairly certain that the US has gone through great pains to reduce collateral damage. i'm sure that urban warfare will be primarily used in Baghdad to better pick out Iraqi forces still wanting to fight. military and strategic targets will be part of the "shock and awe" bombing campaign.

I've heard, (can't remember where), that one possible plan is to surround Baghdad and cut it off while special forces (seals, Delta Force, etc.) goes in for Saddam and other top Iraqi leaders.

i've actually heard that from FOX news. God, i love FOX news. they say that if they surround Baghdad, the US has won.

[JMHX]

Eh, those silly shields all went running when they realized that the schools they were going to defend were factories. The Iraqi people can't just run off, though. They're going to be FORCED to stand in front of the factories.

[mysecondstar]

At 3/20/03 09:52 AM, JudgeMeHarshX wrote: Eh, those silly shields all went running when they realized that the schools they were going to defend were factories. The Iraqi people can't just run off, though. They're going to be FORCED to stand in front of the factories.

i guess, sadly, that we just have to wait and see what will happen as far as the human sheild scenario using Iraqi citizens will unfold.