The lies over Iraq won't go away. Yesterday despite repetitively denying it, the US government was forced to admit using chemical weapons in Iraq to suppress the uprising against them in Fallujah ash-Shareef. Not that I ever believed their denials in the first place, it just goes to show how lies so easily roll off the tongues of governments.
Iraqi victim of white phosphorus used by US & UK troops in Fallujah ash-Shareef
Today British defence secretary John Reid admitted that British forces have also been using chemical weapons in Iraq.
It has also been revealed that the US approved government in Iraq has been torturing opponents, or perceived opponents on a wide scale. How would Baqir as-Sadr feel if he knew the party he founded (Hizb ad-Dawa) would be presiding over such atrocities akin to Sadddam's era, allied to an occupying American force, led by his student Ibrahim al-Jafari?
An Iraqi shows his torture wounds acquired while in custody of the US sponsored government
Last week George Monbiot wrote in the Guardian that "twice as many Iraqis - and most of them civilians - are being killed by US and UK forces" compared to those killed by insurgents. All we are ever exposed to in the media is the constant echoing of Iraqi Al-Qaida bombing other Iraqis, which fits neatly with the misinformed view that the occupation is necessary to prevent this terrorism. It now turns out the biggest killers by far are still the neo-con democracy crusader forces.
Closer to home; bullets used to murder the innocent Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes, are banned in international law on war. Former MI5 chief Stella Rimington has said that ID cards won't make us safer from terrorism, she also said "I don't think anybody in the intelligence services - not in my former service - will be pressing for ID cards."
Something which is of importance to all British citizens is what is happening to Babar Ahmed and the Enron "Natwest three" under the terms of the Extradition Act 2003 which came into force last year. The US can request an extradition without having to show a prima facie case that any offence has been committed, i.e. simply make an accusation with little proof, and then request extradition to the US. This act is even more absurd considering that the same rules don't apply the other way around; if an American is accused of crimes by the British government. Muslims are already worried by this law, but everyone should worry as the case of the 'Natwest three' proves.