Post by Bazza on Nov 11, 2004 15:59:40 GMT -5
Today we remembered the people who died in the 2 world wars. You would think that our leaders would learn from the mistakes of the past.
Relatives of British soldiers killed while serving in Iraq laid a wreath yesterday at 10 Downing Street, while also sending a letter to Tony Blair.
Here is a full transcript of the letter:
Dear Mr Blair,
We present ourselves here today to pay our respect and remember the courageous soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country in Iraq.
Also to voice our support to the brave personnel currently involved in operations in Iraq who are dedicated to doing their duty.
We feel that the most effective way of showing our support is to influence a prompt safe return with the dignity and respect they so rightly deserve.
When enlisting, servicemen and women sign an oath of allegiance to Her Majesty's government.
All these people ask in return is that their Government acts in an honourable, truthful and responsible manner and only deploy troops into the theatre of war to risk their lives when absolutely necessary, when all avenues of diplomacy have been exhausted.
To deploy these troops based on deceit of WMD is morally unacceptable. The blame lies firmly at your doorstep.
This was a contrived war, a war of option, not necessity.
Where is the accountability, Mr Blair, for the 74 British servicemen killed, several injured and over 100,000 innocent Iraqi victims, men, women and children dead?
Where is the apology you said you can give? You have not said sorry to one single family.
How, Mr Blair, can you walk through all this human carnage with impunity?
We now form part of a campaign with the support of many MPs dedicated to bring you to account.
We will not go away! The possibilities and feasibility of impeachment are currently being explored.
The document "a case to answer" has been presented to you with 28 specific questions and in your arrogance you have not afforded the common courtesy of a response or acknowledgement.
As Iraq contains the second largest oil reserves in the world and could not fulfil its oil production potential due to crippling sanctions, it was viewed as an easy target for Western interests to plunder its mineral wealth.
It would appear multi-million dollar contracts were already being negotiated before the war to extract oil and rebuild infrastructure.
Please remember, Mr Blair, no capability of a 45-minute deployment of WMD, no stockpiles of WMD, no WMD programmes, no links with al Qaeda and no links with 9/11.
Without the above how could Iraq form part of the so-called axis of evil?
What, therefore, was Iraq's crime to warrant an illegal invasion without United Nations support?
If you are so keen on enforcing democracy, Mr Blair, why do you not enforce it on strong countries capable of biting back, not one that has been weakened by years of sanctions.
You have now changed the rhetoric for your remit for war from WMD to regime change.
Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General, states that this is illegal. Thus you are forcing our troops to engage in an illegal conflict against Iraq that you and Mr Bush presumed to be a soft target.
The resulting chaos and atrocities are now played out for all to see daily on our television screens. The world in now undeniably a more dangerous place.
Stop the war, bring the troops home and hand responsibility over to the United Nations. At least Kofi Annan still retains some integrity and has a proven unbiased diplomatic record.
Why, Mr Blair, as the deceased are being repatriated, do you find it necessary to continue this unhealthy liaison with Mr Bush?
Is it to receive a pat on the back for moving the Black Watch into the triangle of death so as to be seen to have supported Mr Bush's re-election campaign?
On a closing note, Geoff Hoon addressed the House and stated the risks on moving the Black Watch were acceptable.
Yet within five days we have five killed and several seriously injured. How is this justifiable?
Well, Mr Blair, you have been true to your word on one point. You are getting some of the Black Watch home for Christmas, tragically injured, maimed and others in body-bags.
Morally unacceptable conduct of a British Prime Minister in the 21st century!
The letter was signed by 10 relatives of servicemen either serving or those who have died.