Did the first session of the Stop the War Coalition’s Peoples’ Assembly marking four years since the day we visited the illegal war on Iraq.
Many speakers in first session and chaired by Tony Benn. We are all on the same side here today.
My speech was really about how we need to build, or rather help Iraqis rebuild, the infrastructure of Iraq. And of course, to mention, that Tony Blair’s war to save Iraq from Saddam has precipitated a humanitarian disaster.
Lynne Featherstone 
The British and American Government must pledge to withdraw foreign troops from Iraq immediately, as our presence has noticeably infamed the ongoing situation greatly. Our Prime Minister has unsuccessfully been unable to achieve any positive outcomes from this war. We have been unable to uncover weapons of mass destruction, Mr Blair’s supporters were unable to manufacture a democratic and viable system within Iraq. As a country, we favour the removal of Saddam Hussein, however, we also favour the removal of Mr Blair and Mr Bush. Both leaders should stand trial at the Hague for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. I agree with much of MCB’s reflections in its previous public statement- “With each passing day it is becoming ever clearer to the British public that this unnecessary war has been a disaster and has seriously harmed our country’s reputation and interests. We are increasingly being seen by the Iraqi people as unwelcome occupiers of their country. No amount of spin from the Neo-Cons can hide this reality. We urge our government to ensure that all US/UK troops that are found to have acted illegally are brought to justice swiftly. We must now begin to withdraw our troops from Iraq without delay. Saddam has been captured and the Iraqis must be allowed to take charge of their own country,” said Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain. BRITISH TROOPS OUT NOWThanksMash
Mash,It is common in such heated and controversial topics for people to disagree on what are the facts. I think a number of your points are at least disputable, although it isn’t my purpose here to argue. However, those who take the position for the newly freed people of Iraq are not such a small minority that they can all be prosecuted at the Hague or all their viewpoints dismissed as “spin” and ignored.Eventually you will have to negotiate mutually acceptable solutions with them, learn to respect their beliefs, and listen to what they say. This war between left and right (or whatever you want to call them) is causing huge damage in itself, preventing a unified approach to the world’s problems. So long as people continue to take such an aggressive, confrontational approach to the other side, the angry solutions they seek to force will elude them.If you cannot even manage to make peace with the neo-cons, what right have we to ask and expect the people of the Middle East to do any better?