I sign the appeal to release the Italians and the Iraquis.
Name: Misaki Ohara
A member of Violence Against Women in War Japan, Tokyo University Graduate School student
To Whom it May Concern,
I have opposed and continue to oppose the occupation of Iraq and plead for the release of two Italian and two Iraqi humanitarian workers who were abducted in Iraq last September 7, 2004.
Simona Pari and Simona Torretta, both Italians, and Ra'ad Ali Abdul Azziz
and Mahnoaz Bassam, both Iraqis, are members of Un Ponter Per Baghdad
(Bridges to Baghdad) an independent Italian humanitarian organization that
has been working in Iraq since 1992. During the embargo, other humanitarian organizations refused to operate in Iraq, Bridges defied that in the belief that the suffering of civilians should not be used as a political
bargaining chip.
In this occupation, the United States and its coalition are cynically attempting to blur the distinction between the humanitarian and the political, using aid and relief in their attempt to pacify the Iraqis. As a result, Iraqis have
become increasingly and understandably suspicious of international
humanitarian organizations. Despite the perils caused by this confusion,
Bridges consciously decided to continue its operations in Iraq, convinced
that Iraqis will see through their intentions.
Bridges is not an instrument of the Italian government, nor of the US-led
coalition, to make the occupation more bearable, and therefore, more
acceptable to the Iraqis. From the very beginning, Bridges has been open
and consistent with its positions: it opposed the embargo, it opposed the
invasion, and it opposes the occupation. In Italy, Bridges has been a
leading critic of the government's decision to join the US-led coalition.
It plays a leading role in the nation-wide movement that mobilized over a
million Italians to march against the war in February 15, 2003, as well as
in various demonstrations after. Bridges has also been very active in the
global anti-war movement, maintaining links with various anti-war
organizations around the world and playing a key role in e
I find it hard to believe that any resistance in Iraq
would want to kidnap hostages
who oppose the invasion and occupation. Such acts lend credence
to the lie that the US/UK aggression in Iraq is a "clash of civilisations." Do the kidnappers work
for the US State
Department or for the liberation of Iraq? If for the liberation of Iraq,
then the hostages MUST be released.
Please consider me a friend and supporter of your aim to relieve the US
occupation of Iraq as well as plead for the immediate release of the
hostages.
Mary Drummer
Math Department/Roswell High School
Georgia 30075
Nous demandons la libération immédiate des otages italiennes et irakiens enlevés à Bagdad au bureau d'une ONG italienne.
Merci de prendre cette demande en considération.
Mariette Milot et les Soeurs de l'Assomption de Nicolet, Québec, Canada
We are very concern about the Italian Hostages and we would like them to be freed as soon as possible.
I am signing for 152 members of our congragation.... we are missioaries...
Madeleine Lacoursière.msola
Pacific Asia Resource Center (PARC), JAPAN
In solidarity,
Yoko Fukawa
Pacific Asia Resource Center (PARC)
3F Toyo bldg., 1-7-11 Kanda Awaji-cho, Chiyoda-ku,
Tokyo 101-0063, Japan
Dear Friends,
Please add my name to the appeal requesting the release of the the aid workers who were kidnapped.
Please know that they-- and all involved in the Iraqi conflict-- will be in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Jean Walsh
Ossining, N.Y. 10562
La Conférence religieuse canadienne demande instamment la libération des otages italiennes
et irakiens qui ont été enlevés hier, à Bagdad, au bureau de l'ONG italienne Un Ponte per...
Je signe au nom de toute la Conférence qui représente plus de 23 000 religieux et religieuses au Canada.
Jean Bellefeuille
Coordonnateur Justice,Paix et Intégrité de la Création / Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Co-ordinator
Pace! Pace! Pace! Pace!
A partire dalla consapevole e forte scelta della nonviolenza attiva in ogni aspetto della vita, dalla politica all'economia, e dalla giustizia come principio e pratica di tutte le relazioni.
Dear friends,
We never forget how we appreciated encouraging support from citizens
around the world when japanese activitists were kidnapped in Falluja in
April. We join you in appealing for safe return of the four people and
for withdraw from the illegitimate occupation of iraq.
in solidarity,
Organization: Women in Black Tokyo
Individuals: Hisako Motoyama, Naoko Yamaga, Yuko Shinoki, Yu Negoro,
Kazumi Yamamoto
Dear friends,
I would like to add my signature to the appeal to free the
Italian and Iraqi aid workers abducted in Baghdad -- and I thank you for
the continued dedication which Voices in the Wilderness shows.
Sister Helen Scheel,
Non aggiungo parole più, da oggi solo i fatti parleranno per me: costruirò ogni giorno la mia alternativa all'orrore in cui il mondo precipita ed a questo invito TUTTI.
Modifichiamo la nostra vita, portiamo noi stessi ed i milioni di persone del "popolo della pace" FUORI dal sistema di guerra costruito a partire dalle nostre vite, sostenuto dalle nostre scelte di tutti i giorni, cambiamo queste scelte e i piedi d'argilla del potere si sbricioleranno.
