[Onthebarricades] Peace protests, Aug-Sept 2008

[global resistance roundup]

* AUSTRALIA: Protest plans cause shutdown of arms fair
* GERMANY: Protest against American nuclear presence
* GERMANY: Protest for withdrawal from Afghanistan
* JAPAN: Visit by American nuclear carrier faces protests
* UKRAINE: US, Russian warship visits protested
* DR CONGO: Thousands protest against fresh clashes
* PAKISTAN: NWFP - 26 killed as locals revolt against Taleban
* INDIA: Protests by left over nuclear deal
* CANADA: March to support American war resisters, demand refugee status
* CANADA: Peace protesters to target Olympic train
* GERMANY, FRANCE: Thousands protest against Afghan war
* UK: Peace protest at Labour conference
* SOUTH AFRICA: Protest over stopover by US carrier
* US/PAKISTAN: Drone strikes protest
* US: Veterans protest Bush-McCain event
* SRI LANKA: Protesters block UN withdrawal
* PHILIPPINES: War in Mindanao protested
* GEORGIA: Protesters demand Russian withdrawal
* Solidarity protests held in Czech Republic, Ukraine, Germany





http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/09/408258.html

Radical protesters force cancellation of Australian arms fair
repost | 07.09.2008 11:11 | Anti-militarism | Other Press | World
A MAJOR defence expo due to start in Adelaide on Remembrance Day has 
been cancelled amid fears of violence by radical protest groups.
Organisers of the Asia-Pacific Defence and Security Exhibition made the 
decision after talks with the State Government and police over planned 
protest action against the three-day event.

Great news for anti-arms fair campaigners and 'feral anarchists' 
everywhere.

SA defence expo cancelled over violence fears from radical groups

Article from: Sunday Mail (SA)






http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24306242-5006301,00.html

NIGEL HUNT

September 07, 2008 12:30am

A MAJOR defence expo due to start in Adelaide on Remembrance Day has 
been cancelled amid fears of violence by radical protest groups.
Organisers of the Asia-Pacific Defence and Security Exhibition made the 
decision after talks with the State Government and police over planned 
protest action against the three-day event.

In recent weeks, police have given the Government several confidential 
briefings on the scale of the planned protests – including the 
participation of an ultra-radical group responsible for violence at last 
year's APEC meeting in Sydney – and the cost of the huge police 
operation to counter them.

Acting Premier Kevin Foley said yesterday the Government had full 
confidence in police to manage "these feral anarchists that would be 
descending on Adelaide" if the event, at the Convention Centre, had 
proceeded.

"However, the organisers had to take into account a number of factors, 
ranging from security issues as well as the level of support from the 
Defence Department," he said, also labelling the protesters "feral 
low-lifes".

"We had to weigh up a number of factors and the decision was taken that 
the cost of security, the possible threats of violence, were risks that 
on balance the organisers of the event and the Government agreed were 
not worth proceeding with."

Mr Foley said the decision should not be seen as a "victory" for the 
protest groups because the contacts with manufacturers made so far would 
be followed up.

The APDSE – an armaments trade fair – was to be held from November 
11-13. The fair was part of a concerted push by the State Government to 
sell South Australia to the rest of the world as a defence state.

The executive director of APDS Exhibition Ltd, Phil Guy, yesterday 
confirmed the discussions with the Government and police leading up to 
the decision.

"The major issues discussed revolve around public safety, security risk 
levels and increased costs, plus the Commonwealth's failure to support 
the event," Mr Guy said.

"Earlier this week, SAPOL advised the Government and APDS about issues 
of public order and security leading up to and during the event.

"Police advise that the APDS exhibition is being targeted by highly 
organised and violent protesters with a history of focusing on similar 
defence and security events."

Sources said the State Government was alerted to the scale of the 
protests several weeks ago.

Police then briefed the Government's Emergency Management Committee on 
August 28. It is understood further meetings were held between the 
Premier's office and senior police this week which resulted in the 
discussions with organisers.

Mr Foley was critical of the protest groups, particularly those who 
resorted to violence.

"These are feral, low-life people that want society to be in a state of 
near anarchy for their own perverse pleasure," he said.

"Let's not mince words here. People who say they are anti-war but resort 
to violence and destruction to put their case are clearly a bunch of 
people who are dangerous to society.

"These are just anarchists that enjoy disrupting civil society. They do 
not have one fig of credibility."

Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Burns yesterday declined to comment, but 
police sources said senior officers had detailed to the Government the 
expected scope of the protests – around 500 protesters – and the 
"strong" likelihood of violence erupting.

The size and cost of the police operation was also detailed, along with 
assessments concerning public safety risks and disruption to the city 
over the period.

SAPOL's Protective Security Service command had been planning a massive 
security operation involving almost 500 police to control the protests.

All annual leave for police had been cancelled a month ago for the week 
of the operation and those involved were having their riot training 
updated.

It is known police had received accurate intelligence on the protesters 
who would attend, including members of the ultra-militant protest group 
Mutiny.

Mutiny, and another group called Arterial Bloc, were behind the violence 
at last year's APEC meeting in Sydney and the G20 meeting in Melbourne 
in 2006.

Many other protest groups have been attempting to rally support for 
their cause in recent weeks by dropping pamphlets at various events in 
the city.

Prior to the event being cancelled, peace activist Jacob Grech from 
OzPeace told the Sunday Mail he anticipated "around 500" protesters at 
the event.

Mr Grech organised similar protests at Canberra's AIDEX events in 1989 
and 1991. The violence at the 1991 event resulted in a third defence 
expo planned for 1993 being cancelled.

He said plans were under way for several busloads of protesters to 
travel from Melbourne and Sydney and many had intended making their own 
way to Adelaide.

"We have a policy of non-violent direct action," he said. However, Mr 
Grech confirmed members of the militant Mutiny group were also planning 
to attend.

"I have heard some of them will be coming down from Sydney, but again 
the nature of the protest is going to be non-violent as far as we can 
determine," he said.






http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,3604906,00.html?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf

30.08.2008
Protesters Demonstrate Against Alleged US Nukes in Germany

Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Protesters were 
carefully watched by a large police presence

About 2,000 pacifists demonstrated without violence Saturday outside a 
German Air Force base where they insist 20 US nuclear weapons are stored.
The protesters demanded that the weapons be removed from Buechel air 
base in western and be scrapped. Hundreds of police kept a careful eye 
on the rally after some demonstrators had threatened to climb the fence 
and enter the fighter-bomber base.

"I never would have thought that Germany would again threaten the world 
by stationing US nuclear weapons here," said Horst-Eberhard Richter, a 
member of Germany's pacifist movement.

Neither German nor US officials have ever confirmed that the sole 
remaining US nuclear warheads on German soil are maintained at Buechel 
by a US Air Force team. Experts, however, say that this is plausible 
since US nuclear-weapon safety inspectors do make calls at the site.

DPA news agency (sms)







http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080926a3.html

Friday, Sept. 26, 2008

Protests greet nuclear carrier at its new home in Yokosuka

By JUN HONGO
Staff writer
YOKOSUKA, Kanagawa Pref. — The USS George Washington arrived at its new 
home Thursday, becoming the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to be 
forward-deployed outside the United States.

Greetings: Crew members form the word "Hajimemashite" ("Nice to meet 
you") on the flight deck of the USS George Washington as it heads into 
the U.S. naval base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Thursday 
morning. KYODO PHOTO

Hundreds of slogan-shouting protesters lined the harbor and took to 
boats as the giant warship pulled into Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, 
while flag-waving supporters crowded the dock at the U.S. naval base.
The 102,000-ton, 332-meter warship arrived at 10 a.m., greeted by the 
crew's family members and performances by the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet Band 
and the Maritime Self-Defense Force band.
"It is altogether fitting that a ship bearing the name of one of the 
greatest Americans who ever lived has been sent to protect one of the 
greatest relationships America has ever had," U.S. Ambassador Thomas 
Schieffer said in front of the aircraft carrier during a welcoming ceremony.
Secretary of the U.S. Navy Donald Winter expressed gratitude for Japan's 
cooperation in ensuring regional safety, including its antiterrorism 
efforts in Afghanistan.
"The contributions of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, 
particularly in your leading role in refueling coalition ships at sea in 
Operation Enduring Freedom, have been critical" to the global fight 
against terrorism, Winter said.
The George Washington is the fourth U.S. carrier to be stationed in 
Yokosuka, following the Kitty Hawk, the Midway and the Independence.
It is powered by two nuclear reactors and can reach a top speed of more 
than 30 knots within minutes. The ship's arrival in Japan was delayed by 
a shipboard fire in May.
It carries about 75 aircraft, can accommodate a crew of up to 6,250 and 
serves 18,000 meals daily, according to the U.S. Navy.
Foreign Minister Yasufumi Nakasone welcomed the arrival of the carrier 
and its positive effect on the Japanese-U.S. alliance.
The deployment symbolizes "the firm commitment of the United States to 
the alliance," Nakasone said in a message.
Meanwhile, at nearby Umikaze Park, some 450 people gathered to protest 
the George Washington's arrival. They shouted "We won't make Yokosuka 
the base for a war" and held banners reading "No nuclear-powered 
aircraft carrier."
On the sea near the base, some 40 people, some from Hiroshima, Nagasaki 
and Okinawa, held a rally using 12 boats.
The demonstrators say the ship poses a threat because of its nuclear 
power plant.
They also are opposed to the increase in sailors as a result of the 
George Washington replacing the older and slightly smaller Kitty Hawk, 
and say that the carrier could make Yokosuka a target if hostilities 
break out between the U.S. and another country.
Information from Kyodo, AP added






http://en.rian.ru/world/20080901/116450879.html

U.S. warship met by anti-NATO protests in Ukraine's Sevastopol
18:46 | 01/ 09/ 2008

SEVASTOPOL, September 1 (RIA Novosti) - The crew of U.S. Coast Guard 
Cutter Dallas, which arrived on Monday morning at the Ukrainian port of 
Sevastopol where Russia has a naval base, has refused to go ashore amid 
anti-NATO protests, customs officers said. (U.S. Coastguard cutter 
Dallas enters Sevastopol Harbor - video)
The Dallas, which recently delivered humanitarian aid to Georgia's Black 
Sea port of Batumi, docked at the Crimean port on the invitation of Kiev.
The ship was met with thousands of protesters chanting "Yankees go 
home!" and waving banners with the slogan "NATO Stop!" The area around 
the ship has been cordoned off by police, with an anti-NATO picket nearby.
Ukrainian customs officers who went on board the ship and met with the 
commander said the U.S. servicemen are refusing to leave the vessel on 
foot, but that buses could be provided so they can be given a tour of 
the city.
Tensions between Russia and the West have been exacerbated by the 
build-up in the Black Sea of U.S. and NATO naval vessels delivering 
humanitarian aid to Georgia. In an apparent response, Russia sent a 
group of warships last week, including the Moskva missile cruiser, to 
Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia.
Russia's Black Sea Fleet uses the Sevastopol base under agreements 
signed in 1997. Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko announced earlier 
this year that Ukraine would not extend the lease beyond 2017.
Yushchenko signed a decree earlier this month requiring prior notice of 
all movements by Russian naval vessels and aircraft from the Sevastopol 
base in the Crimea.
The decree is not has not yet come into force, but Russia views it as a 
provocation and is likely to resist any Ukrainian attempts to restrict 
the deployment of its navy.





http://en.rian.ru/world/20080902/116477984.html

U.S. warship leaves Sevastopol after protests
15:05 | 02/ 09/ 2008

SEVASTOPOL, September 2 (RIA Novosti) - The U.S. Coast Guard cutter 
Dallas left Sevastopol Tuesday morning after anti-NATO protests in 
Ukraine's Crimean port. (U.S. Coastguard cutter Dallas enters Sevastopol 
Harbor - video)
The Dallas, which recently delivered humanitarian aid to Georgia's Black 
Sea port of Batumi, docked on Monday at the Crimean port, where Russia 
has a naval base, at the invitation of Kiev.
The ship's arrival was met by thousands of anti-NATO protesters chanting 
"Yankees go home!" and waving banners with the slogan "NATO Stop!" 
Police cordoned off the area around the ship.
Ukrainian customs officers who boarded the ship and met the commander 
said they had been prepared to lay on buses for the U.S. crew to give 
them a tour of the city, but apart from a few officers, no one left the 
vessel.
Tensions between Russia and the West have been exacerbated by the build 
up in the Black Sea of U.S. and NATO naval vessels delivering 
humanitarian aid to Georgia. In an apparent response, Russia sent a 
group of warships last week, including the Moskva missile cruiser, to 
Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia.
A Russian warship, the Smetlivy patroller, has meanwhile returned to 
Sevastopol after being involved in peacekeeping operations off the 
Abkhazian shore, a Russian Black Sea Fleet command source said.
"Smetlivy returned to its base this morning. Everyone on board is safe 
and sound. A group of ships has remained near the Abkhazian shore to 
ensure the republic's maritime security," the source said.
Most of Russia's naval group have returned to the Black Sea bases of 
Novorossiisk and Sevastopol.
After a Russian ship patrolling Abkhazian waters sank a Georgian missile 
boat during armed conflict last month, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said 
Russian warships involved in the operation near Georgia could be 
prohibited from returning to Sevastopol.
Russia's Black Sea Fleet uses the Sevastopol base under agreements 
signed in 1997. Ukrainian pro-NATO President Victor Yushchenko announced 
earlier this year that Ukraine would not extend the lease beyond 2017.
Yushchenko signed a decree last month requiring prior notice of all 
movements by Russian naval vessels and aircraft from the Sevastopol base 
in the Crimea. Russia views it as a provocation and is likely to resist 
any Ukrainian attempts to restrict the deployment of its navy.






http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/ukranians-protest-as-russian-warship-returns-1461628.html?r=RSS

Ukranians protest as Russian warship returns

Saturday August 23 2008
Damien McElroy in Sebastopol
Ukrainians staged a protest yesterday as a Russian warship involved in 
the conflict in Georgia, returned to Ukraine's southern port of 
Sebastopol, the headquarters of the Black Sea fleet.
While quickly snuffed out, the protests demonstrated Sebastopol's 
emergence as a flashpoint for tensions between Moscow and its former 
Soviet satellites, in the wake of the Georgian conflict.
Mirage, the missile corvette that returned to Sebastopol, was involved 
in the only reported maritime action of the campaign. It sank a Georgian 
fast patrol boat that came within range of its guns.
Ukraine's president, Victor Yushchenko, condemned the use of vessels 
based in the Russian concession to provide backup for its assault on 
Georgia over the disputed enclave of South Ossetia.
While Ukraine is powerless to stop Russian movements in Sebastopol, 
there was a brief stand-off, as one of its ships moved to accompany the 
Mirage through the harbour.
Russia retained a strategic advantage on land as well as sea. Sebastopol 
and the wider Crimean peninsula are virtual Russian enclaves in Ukraine. 
The protest erupted at a point where holidaymakers normally walk to the 
harbour. But the strength of the pro-Russian forces, mobilised to show 
support for the Mirage, was hardly put to the test by the demonstrators.
Oleh Yatshenko, the organiser of the anti-Russian protest, displayed two 
small cuts on his arm, inflicted by pro-Moscow forces, who pushed their 
opponents away from the shore and ripped away banners. "What Russia did 
in Georgia was illegal,'' he said. "We are standing up for our country 
because they are doing the same thing here.''
Most of Mr Yatshenko's supporters had arrived from the western Ukraine. 
The group carried banners reading, "Shame'' and "Get out of here!''
Last week, a Ukrainian presidential decree imposed reporting 
restrictions for Russian naval craft moving through Ukrainian waters.
The government also reiterated its determination not to renew Moscow's 
lease on the port when it is due for renewal in 2017. Kiev has shown no 
signs of backing down despite a furious Russian reaction, with the 
foreign minister Volodymyr Ogryzko telling the Izvestia newspaper that 
its preparations for a withdrawal should have already started.
He said: "Russia should already be preparing for the withdrawal of the 
fleet, which will take place in 2017. Such things do not happen in a day."
Russia criticised the dispatch of NATO vessels to the Black Sea to 
distribute humanitarian aid to Georgia.
The deputy chief of the Russian military's general staff, expressed 
doubts about whether it was necessary to have Nato vessels in the Black Sea.
Colonel General Anatoly Nogovitsyn asked: "What for and with what aim?'' 
(© Daily Telegraph, London)







http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_2402131,00.html

1000s protest rebel violence
30/09/2008 16:07 - (SA)

Lubumbashi - Several thousand people in southeastern Democratic Republic 
of Congo protested on Tuesday against clashes roiling the country's 
east, in the latest of growing demonstrations against rebel fighters here.
Organised by local authorities who promised a paid day off work, the 
march in the Katanga province capital of Lubumbashi paralysed commercial 
activity in the city.
It marked the latest of mushrooming protests in major towns across the 
country against fighters loyal to renegade ex-general Laurent Nkunda.
Clashes that erupted in August between the rebels and government have 
forced more than 100 000 people to flee their homes over the past month 
alone, according to the Red Cross.
Katanga's governor Moise Katumbi, who is close to President Joseph 
Kabila, has called on the government to give its army the means to 
"neutralise" the rebels and for UN peacekeepers and the international 
community to help re-establish peace.
Clashes between the two sides resumed late in August, violating a peace 
accord signed at the beginning of the year by all parties in the conflict.
- AFP






http://www.mathaba.net/news/?x=605314

26 die as militants clash with locals in Pakistan`s northwest
Posted: 2008/09/06
From: MNN
@mathaba | Re-Tweet | FaceBook

At least 26 people have been killed and scores others injured as people 
in a remote town in Pakistan`s northwest revolted against local Taliban, 
officials said.

Clashes erupted late last night in Matta area of restive Swat valley 
when the locals refused to hand over a local religious scholar to 
Taliban, they said.

The scholar had been critical of Taliban activities in the area and 
armed Taliban surrounded a village and asked the people to give the man 
to them.

The people from local Gujar tribe rejected Taliban which resulted in a 
clash and fighting continued till Saturday.

Locals said that 20 people and 6 Taliban fighters have been killed so 
far and exchange of fire continued.

This is the first time that the people have shown resistance in Swat 
valley, where the security forces are engaged in operation against the 
militants.

Both sides used heavy weapons including rockets, witnesses said.

They said that security forces also moved to the area to help the people 
eliminate militants.

Hundreds of people have been killed in Swat, a beautiful valley in North 
West Frontier Province, where a pro-al-Qaeda leader Maualna Fazalullah 
is leading local militants.

Resistance against local Taliban is growing in parts of Pakistan's 
northwest. Tribesmen in Bajaur region have also stood against Taliban 
and several were killed and handed over to the authorities.

Security forces launched major operation against the militants in Bajaur 
last month and officials say over 200 militants have been killed so far.

In another tribal area Kurrum Agency, over 10 tribes also raised against 
Taliban as the area have seen deadly clashes over the past few weeks. 
--IRNA #







http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/20/stories/2008092051570300.htm

Karnataka - Hassan

Call to observe ‘Protest Day’ on Thursday
Staff Correspondent
________________________________________
Mass dharna to
be staged in Parliament House
________________________________________
HASSAN: The Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Communist Party of 
India, the Telugu Desam Party, All India Forward Bloc, the Revolutionary 
Socialist Party and the Janata Dal (S) will observe September 25 as 
“Protest Day” throughout the country, CPI(M) district secretary Dharmesh 
said here on Friday.
Mr. Dharmesh said that on September 25, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh 
would be visiting Washington to finalise the nuclear deal. “The deal 
compromises India’s sovereignty and interests. The Prime Minister has 
gone back on his promise that he will come back to Parliament after 
obtaining clearance from the International Atomic Energy Agency and the 
Nuclear Suppliers Group. A Parliamentary session has been convened only 
from October 17, by when the nuclear deal will have been finalised,” he 
said.
Contempt alleged
Mr. Dharmesh said that on September 25, Members of Parliament belonging 
to all Left parties would hold a mass dharna in Parliament House against 
what he termed the contempt for, and violation of, democracy.





http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/18/stories/2008091856121200.htm

National

Left, BSP to intensify protest on session
Atiq Khan
LUCKNOW: The Left and the Bahujan Samaj Party, along with other 
like-minded parties, will intensify their protest against the Parliament 
session not being convened by the United Progressive Alliance government 
and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to the United States on 
September 25 to finalise the nuclear deal.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat said 
here on Wednesday that a joint announcement in this regard would be made 
by the Left, the BSP, the Telugu Desam Party, the Janata Dal (Secular) 
and the Jharkhand Vikas Party in Delhi on Friday.
Mr. Karat, who was here to attend a two-day State council meeting of the 
party’s U.P. unit, said he was in touch with the leaders of other 
parties. He had a telephonic talk with Chief Minister Mayawati on this 
issue on Wednesday.
While denying any discussion on seat-sharing in the State with Ms. 
Mayawati for the coming Lok Sabha election, he said talks were on 
between the parties on how to face the election.
“The CPI(M) is trying for an alliance with certain non-Congress and 
non-BJP parties, but there will be no truck with the parties aligned 
with the Congress and the BJP.”
Critical of the Centre’s failure to adopt a pro-active role in 
containing the communal violence in Orissa and Mangalore, Mr. Karat said 
the Centre should have done more to aid and advice the Orissa government.
As for Mangalore, he said a more forthright approach was needed.
Mr. Karat slammed the RSS, the VHP and the Bajrang Dal for their efforts 
to create communal tension, which seemed to be their “overall design 
keeping in mind the Lok Sabha election.”
Intelligence failure
On containing terrorism, Mr. Karat said a draconian law was not the real 
issue. Since the October 2005 bomb blasts in Delhi, there have been 
successive intelligence failures, with the agencies unable to uncover 
the terror plots. Rather than laws it was the failure of the 
intelligence and security systems. The BJP’s demand for a law like POTA 
was an attempt to score a point with the government.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/09/stories/2008090953120300.htm

Karnataka - Hubli-Dharwad

Protests by BSP, NWKRTC staff
Staff Correspondent
HUBLI: The city witnessed two protests on Monday — one by the Bahujan 
Samaj Party (BSP) against the nuclear deal, and the other by employees 
of the North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) against 
a tabloid.
BSP members led by Dharwad district unit president Premanath 
Chikkatumbal staged a demonstration in front of the B.R. Ambedkar statue 
near the Head Post Office, accusing the Congress and the Bharatiya 
Janata Party of conspiring to prevent a Dalit woman from becoming the 
country’s Prime Minister.
The protesters said that the nuclear deal were against the interests of 
the country. They released a booklet on why the nuclear deal is 
detrimental to the country and what its impact will be on the people of 
the country.
Ban sought
Employees of the NWKRTC urged Governor Rameshwar Thakur to ban a Kannada 
tabloid carrying crime news, published from Bangalore. Its editor and 
reporters were resorting to blackmail, and publishing concocted stories 
to tarnish the image of the employees of the corporation who refused to 
pay them, the protesters alleged. They urged the Governor to arrest the 
editor and reporters of the tabloid, and file criminal cases.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/05/stories/2008100559150300.htm

Karnataka - Mangalore

CPI(M) protests against nuclear deal
Staff Correspondent
‘India has nothing to lose’
________________________________________
India is said to have been barred from conducting tests
‘Deal will jeopardise country’s internal security’
________________________________________
MANGALORE: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) observed a “black flag 
day” in the city on Saturday to protest against the Indo-U.S. nuclear 
deal, supposed to be signed by External Affairs Minister Pranab 
Mukherjee and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
The signing of the deal did not go through as announced. It has been put 
off.
‘Truth is out’
Addressing the party workers here, its district secretary B. Madhava 
said: “The truth is now out.
A string of top U.S. officials, including Condoleezza Rice, have 
confirmed that the nuclear deal between the two countries will be off if 
India decides to carry out nuclear tests.”
‘Misleading people’
Criticising Prime Minister Manmohan Singh he said: “The Prime Minister 
and leaders of the Congress party have been constantly misleading the 
people about the nuclear deal.”
Sovereignty at stake
The country’s sovereignty had been compromised by the deal. It would be 
interesting to know what the Prime Minister had to say, now that the 
truth was out, he said.
Imapact
Stating that certain tenets of the 123 agreement and the overriding 
influence of the Hyde Act would put the country’s foreign and defence 
policy in a tight corner for as long as the deal was in operation,
Mr. Madhava said: “India has everything to lose with this agreement 
while America will gain another military base to help further its 
imperialist aspirations.”
He said that an American military strain in India would severely and 
adversely alter the fragile geopolitics of the Asia Pacific region.
Misconception
“But, despite the monstrosities that the deal is going to wreak on the 
country and the region, it is amazing how the Prime Minister and the 
Congress party are seeing the deal as an emblem of their victory,” he said.
‘It is a decoy’
Mr. Madhava said that the reason for the jubilation in the Congress 
party was that the deal itself was never the sole objective of the party.
“The deal is just a decoy. The main aim is to pave way for a Indo-U.S. 
strategic alliance by which the U.S. will have more direct participation 
in the internal affairs of the country,” Mr. Madhava said.
Power generation
He rubbished the argument that the nuclear deal would allow for a 
capacity increase in power generation in the country.
“The country will be able to add only 20,000 MW of electricity through 
nuclear power, as and when generated, and even that will take as long as 
2020 to fructify,” Mr. Madhava added.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/05/stories/2008100551990300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Protest staged
VIZIANAGARAM: Leaders and cadres of CPI and CPI (M) on Saturday sported 
black badges and organised rasta-roko at the RTC complex here in protest 
against nuclear deal. P. Kameswara Rao, CPI secretary demanded that the 
agreement be scrapped. Correspondent






http://www.thehindu.com/holnus/001200810041332.htm

CPI, CPI(M) form human chain protesting Rice's visit
Vijayawada (PTI): City units of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and 
Communist Party Marxist (CPM) on Saturday organised a human chain at low 
bridge centre in a town here as part of a protest against the nuclear deal.
The Left parties have organised a blockade here protesting against the 
visit by U S Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who is in New Delhi on 
Saturday.
The agitation was led by CPI City Unit Secretary K Subbaraju and CPM 
City Unit Secretary R Raghju.







http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0810010627132831.htm

Left parties decide to observe "Black Day" in protest against Indo-US 
nuclear deal
New Delhi, Oct 1, IRNA
India-US Nuclear-Black Day
Left parties have decided to observe October 4 as "Black Day" when India 
and the US sign the nuclear deal.
"In order to protest against the signing of the nuclear deal during 
Condoleezza Rice's visit on 4th October, the Left parties call for the 
observance of a `Black Day' against this surrender to US imperialism", 
said a statement issued by Left parties in New Delhi.
A joint statement by the Communist Party of India
(Marxist)(CPI-M), the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Rashtriya 
Socialist Party (RSP) and the Forward Bloc (FB) alleged that the 
agreement includes all retrograde provisions of the Hyde Act which puts 
further constraints on full civilian nuclear cooperation.
It said the activists of the Left Parties will observe the day by 
hoisting black flags, organizing demonstrations and wearing black badges.
The Left has also asked other democratic parties and organisations to 
join in the united protest against the Manmohan Singh government's 
"betrayal of India's sovereign interests".
"The US Congress is adopting a legislation approving the Indo-US nuclear 
cooperation agreement and the act to be adopted by the Senate includes 
all the retrograde provisions of the Hyde Act and also puts further 
constraints on full civilian nuclear cooperation in India," the 
statement said.
The Left parties said the Indo-US nuclear agreement provided for no 
assurance of uninterrupted fuel supply to India, no provision for 
strategic fuel reserves and no transfer of nuclear technology.
It also included steps to be taken against Iran.
"Any self-respecting government would have refused to sign the deal and 
operationalize it after this," the statement said.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/28/stories/2008092852170300.htm

Karnataka - Belgaum

CPI, NFIW activists protest against nuclear deal
Staff Correspondent
Belgaum: Activists of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the 
National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) on Saturday staged a 
demonstration and organised “rasta roko” at Rani Chennamma Circle here 
to protest against the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal and “failure” of the 
Congress-led UPA Government to control inflation.
They also protested against the “failure” of the State Government to 
prevent attacks on churches and Christian prayer halls.
The protesters was led by CPI State executive council member A.R. Vijay 
Kumar, district secretary and the former Mayor Nagesh Sateri, NFIW State 
unit president Parimala Vijay Kumar and district unit president Milan 
Rajput.
They formed a human chain and blocked vehicular traffic at the circle 
for some time shouting slogans against the Union Government for going 
ahead with the nuclear deal ignoring protests across the country.
Mr. Vijaykumar said the Government’s “pro-imperialist” policies and 
inefficient management of resources had put the “aam admi” (common man) 
in distress and misery.
Successive governments had failed to check corruption in the 
distribution of ration cards, the protesters said.
The protesters also drew attention of the Belgaum City Corporation to 
the bad condition of several roads here.
Later, they submitted a memorandum to the Government in this regard.






http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080929/jsp/nation/story_9900715.jsp

Karat cry for protest
SHEENA K

Firebrand: Prakash Karat
Raipur, Sept. 28: US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice will face CPM 
heat during her proposed visit to India in the first week of October to 
operationalise the nuclear deal.
“We have come to know that Rice is arriving on October 3 or 4, and the 
party is planning to lodge a protest against her visit that is aimed to 
sign the 123 Agreement,” said CPM general secretary Prakash Karat today.
The CPM will be calling a meeting of “like-minded” parties soon in New 
Delhi to give final shape to the strategy. “After discussion with other 
parties, we will disclose the nuclear deal protest details,” Karat said. 
The party would, however, not invite the BJP for the meeting.
The CPM boss said the protest would be nationwide and the party could 
observe a “black day” on the day Rice signs the agreement.
The CPM leader also added that he was “hopeful” that Tata Motors would 
decide to stay in Bengal and said that the ball was in Tata’s court now.
“Now, it’s not up to us. Tata Motors will take the final call,” Karat 
said today, when asked that the party leadership thought of the Bengal 
agitation.
“The Bengal government has done all that it could do,” Karat said.
The CPM general-secretary said the Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb 
Bhattacharjee was making last-ditch efforts to retain the project and 
had written letter to Ratan Tata, who had agreed for parleys.
“The youth in Bengal are reeling under the unemployment problem,” Karat 
said, adding that only big industrial projects, such as the Tata’s 
Singur plant, could address the problem and the government understands 
that well.
Talking about the issue of land, the Left leader pointed out that in the 
past 25 years, the CPM government has distributed 11 lakh acres to the 
land-less people in the state.
“It is because of the state’s strong land reforms that Naxalites did not 
get room to grow in Bengal. Now, the rebels are coming in from the 
neighbouring states; committing crime and then returning to their 
states,” Karat said.






http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/sep/24ndeal5.htm

N-deal: Left to observe protest day

September 24, 2008 16:24 IST

The Left and other supporting parties will observe a protest day on 
Wednesday when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] will meet US 
president George W Bush [Images] in Washington to "formalise" the 123 
Agreement.
The CPI(M), CPI, RSP, Forward Bloc, TDP and JD(S) will hold two protests 
in the national capital -- one at Parliament House and the other at 
Jantar Mantar -- to highlight its objection to the agreement which they 
claimed will compromise India's sovereignty and vital interests.
"The prime minister has gone back on his assurance that he will come 
back to Parliament after getting the clearance from the IAEA and the 
Nuclear Suppliers Group.
"Parliament has been convened only on October 17, well after the nuclear 
deal will be sealed in Washington," the parties said. Besides rallies 
and demonstrations across the country, the MPs of these parties would 
also hold a mass dharna in the Parliament House premises against "the 
gross contempt and violation of parliamentary democracy."
"The refusal to call Parliament comes at a time when the country has 
suffered a series of terrorist blasts, attacks on Christian minorities, 
continuing price rise and adverse impact of the US financial crisis," 
the parties said.
They said the protest day was being planned against "the signing of the 
nuclear deal and the bypassing of Parliament".
The protest actions would be held across the country against "this 
surrender to the United States".
Interestingly, the Bahujan Samaj Party, which also came together on a 
joint platform with all these parties last month, is not among the 
signatories to the joint statement.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/26/stories/2008092657491200.htm


Nuclear deal: Left, BSP, JD(S) stage protests
Special Correspondent
Senate panel’s stand exposes Manmohan’s claim on 123 pact: Karat
NEW DELHI: The Left parties, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Janata Dal 
(Secular) on Thursday staged protests here against the United 
Progressive Alliance government for not holding the Parliament session 
and going ahead with the civil nuclear agreement with the United States.
MPs belonging to these parties staged a sit-in on the steps of the main 
entrance to Parliament House stating that the government should have 
convened the House at a time when the people were facing serious problems.
They said issues such as the terror strikes, attacks on Christian 
minorities, continuing price rise and the impact of the U.S. financial 
crisis should have been discussed.
Holding placards and raising slogans, the MPs also protested against the 
government’s decision to carry forward the nuclear agreement. The 
parties said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh went back on his assurance 
that he would come back to Parliament after getting clearances from the 
International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
Parliament is scheduled to meet only on October 17.
The protest was also held to coincide with Dr. Singh’s meeting with 
President George Bush in Washington on Thursday (early Friday morning here).
A kilometre away from Parliament House, CPI(M) general secretary Prakash 
Karat, his AIFB counterpart Debabrata Biswas and CPI national secretary 
Amarjit Kaur addressed members of the Left parties staging a protest at 
Jantar Mantar.
Hyde Act
Mr. Karat said the argument by the government that India would only be 
bound by the 123 Agreement stood exposed with the Senate Foreign 
Relations Committee insisting that the Henry J. Hyde Act would be supreme.
Besides terminating the agreement and recalling the equipment sold by 
the U.S. in the event of India testing again, the stipulations include 
that the U.S. could ask other member-countries of the NSG to adopt 
similar measures.
War on terror
Mr. Biswas said the Left stand against the nuclear agreement now stood 
vindicated. What was more worrying was that India would be roped in to 
engage with the U.S. in its war on terror in Afghanistan and Pakistan. 
He said India was insulated from the impact of the American financial 
crisis due to the consistent stand adopted by the Left parties against 
the opening up of the financial sector.






http://news.oneindia.in/2008/08/20/bharat-bandh-demonstration-in-orissa-assembly-1219248245.html

August 20, 2008 > Full Story
Bharat bandh demonstration in Orissa Assembly

Wednesday, August 20 2008 21:11 (IST) Subscribe to Newsletter
Bhubaneswar, Aug 20 (UNI) The Left wing trade unions-sponsored 24-hour 
nationwide strike to protest the Union government's 'anti-people' 
economic policies and the Indo-US Nuke deal had an echo in the Orissa 
Assembly today.

CPI member N Narayan Reddy, CPI(M) member Laxman Munda and Independent 
member Sambhunath Naik with posters supporting the bandh entered the 
well of the House during question ours and shouted slogans against the 
Union government.

The Marshal managed to snatch a poster from CPI(M) member Laxman Munda, 
but CPI member Narayan Reddy refused to give away the posters.

The three members sat on a dharna for some time inside the well and 
later staged a walkout after making a few rounds around the reporters' 
table.







http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/26/stories/2008092653540300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

TDP, Left parties protest against nuclear deal
Staff Reporter
________________________________________
UPA government mortgaging the country’s interests, say protesters
________________________________________
ANANTAPUR: Activists of the TDP, CPI, CPI (M) and Praja Rajyam staged a 
protest against the Centre’s nuclear agreement with the US here on 
Thursday saying it meant mortgaging the country’s interests. They also 
burnt an effigy of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, presently on a visit 
to the US, to push through deal in its final stage.
Leaders and activists of the TDP took out a procession from the party 
office to Sapthagiri Circle and the Left parties took out another 
procession from Tower Clock to Sapthagiri Circle demanding immediate 
withdrawal from the deal. They also demanded resignation of the Prime 
Minister.
K. Srinivasulu and K. M. Saifullah of TDP, D. Jagadish of CPI and G. 
Obulakonda Reddy of CPI(M) alleged that the Prime Minister was longing 
to see through the deal which would be most dangerous politically and 
most disadvantageous technologically. They alleged that the Prime 
Minister was mortgaging the country to the US by sticking with the deal 
even after the US President told the US Congress that Indian government 
would act according to the US interests.
In Kurnool, the supporters of the TDP, CPI(M) and CPI took out a rally 
against the nuclear deal. TDP district president Byreddy Rajasekhar 
Reddy, CPI leader Jagannatham and CPI(M) district secretary T. Shadrak 
said the deal would be detrimental to the interests of the country.
Demonstrations held
In Tirupati, the Joint Action Committee of the non-Congress parties 
comprising the CPI, the CPI (M), the TDP and the RPI held angry 
demonstration outside the Municipal Corporation building protesting 
against the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Washington to sign 
the nuclear deal with the US government. The Left parties’ leaders 
criticised the UPA government for signing the nuclear deal when there 
were more serious issues staring the nation such as spiralling prices, 
agrarian crisis, terrorism, communal disturbances, floods, etc. Among 
those who addressed the gathering were the CPI(M) State committee leader 
Somaiah, K. Kumar Reddy of CPI(M), P. Harinadha Reddy (CPI), Narasimha 
Yadav (TDP).






http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/09/13/america/NA-Canada-Anti-War-Protests.php

Canadians march to support American war resisters

The Associated Press
Published: September 14, 2008

TORONTO: Members of anti-war organizations held demonstrations across 
Canada in support of American war resisters.
Protesters marched outside government buildings Saturday to draw 
attention to American war resister Jeremy Hinzman's upcoming deportation 
from Canada on Sept. 23.
The protest was part of a Canadian day of action to support American 
soldiers seeking refugee status in Canada as conscientious objectors 
against the Iraq War.
Twelve former United States soldiers are seeking refugee status in Canada.
Robin Long became the first American resister to the Iraq war to be 
removed by Canadian authorities in July.






http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2008/09/14/war-resisters-rally.html?ref=rss

Vote to let war resisters stay: protesters
Last Updated: Sunday, September 14, 2008 | 12:14 PM MT 
Comments130Recommend76
CBC News
Protesters gathered outside Edmonton City Hall on Saturday, urging 
people to vote for parties supporting asylum for American soldiers who 
come to Canada to avoid fighting in the Iraq war.
About 20 rallies from British Columbia to Newfoundland were held to 
support American soldiers seeking refugee status as conscientious 
objectors against the war in Iraq.
Protesters said the Conservatives are the only party that supports 
sending war resisters back to the U.S., while the opposition parties all 
supported a non-binding motion passed in the House of Commons in June to 
allow American war resisters to stay.
Peggy Morton, who was at the rally in Edmonton, said it's against 
Canadian values to send the soldiers home.
"They have refused to return to Iraq or serve in Iraq because of their 
conviction that they cannot participate in war crimes, in crimes against 
humanity and crimes against the peace," Morton said. "It's 
unconscionable that they not be permitted to stay in Canada as refugees. 
What better reason is there than that?"
Morton said she was surprised the Conservatives have refused to allow 
war resisters to stay, since opinion polls show most Canadians support 
granting war resisters asylum.
There are an estimated 200 U.S. war resisters in Canada. Pte. Robin 
Long, the first to be deported, was sentenced to 15 months in jail upon 
his return to Colorado.
The Edmonton rally was organized by the Council of Canadians and the 
Edmonton Coalition Against War and Racism.






http://www.dominionpaper.ca/weblogs/dawn/2142

October 2, 2008
'Spirit Train' protests continue towards the East

Activists in Edmonton interrupted the 2010 Olympics Spirit Train 
stop-off there on September 29th.
Their actions came on the heels of a protest in Vancouver that marked 
the launch of the train. Vancouver's Olympics Resistance Network has 
called for mobilization as the train travels east.
A smaller demonstration against the Spirit Train took place in Calgary.
In Sudbury, the local Coalition Against War and Occupation (SAWO) is 
planning to protest the train as it rolls through on October 11th. The 
train's last stop will be in Montréal on October 18th.







http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/377376/1/.html

Thousands in France, Germany, protest Afghan deployment
Posted: 21 September 2008 0633 hrs

German soldiers serving with the International Security Asisstance Force 
(ISAF) patrol Kabul

BERLIN - Thousands of people in France and Germany took to the streets 
on Saturday calling for soldiers deployed in Afghanistan to be brought 
home, police and march organisers said.

Both countries have parliamentary votes coming up on the issue.

More than 5,000 people took to the streets Saturday in Berlin and 
Stuttgart to protest against the decision to prolong the deployment of 
German troops in Afghanistan, police from both cities said.

Demonstrators, who had been mobilised by 250 pacifist groups and trade 
union organisations, carried banners with slogans including "Give peace 
a chance - Bring the troops back from Afghanistan."

At least 3,300 people rallied in Berlin and a further 2,000 in 
Stuttgart, although the event organisers put the total figure at 7,000 
people.

In France, marches calling for the recall of French troops in 
Afghanistan took place in about 10 towns across the country, organised 
by political activists, trades unions and several left-wing opposition 
political parties.

In Paris, where the biggest march took place, 3,000 people took part in 
a march -- 2,000 according to police.

Opposition parties backing the demonstrations included the Greens, the 
Communist Party, and the far left Revolutionary Communist League.

The march took place two days ahead of a parliamentary vote on the 
France's deployment in Afghanistan.

Germany has roughly 3,500 soldiers deployed in Afghanistan as part of 
the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), stationed 
in Kabul and in the north of Afghanistan.

That figure is set to rise to 4,500 in the coming months, subject to a 
vote on October 7 in the Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament.

Since 2002 about 30 German troops have died there and public support for 
their continued deployment has diminished over the years.

France has 3,000 troops serving with the 70,000-strong international 
force fighting the revived Taliban.

On August 18, 10 French soldiers were killed in an ambush east of Kabul.

France has lost a total of 24 soldiers in Afghanistan, where its troops 
are serving in the NATO-led ISAF force.

- AFP /ls







http://www.dw-world.de/dw/function/0,,12215_cid_3659675,00.html?maca=en-rss-en-news-1092-rdf

| 20.09.2008 | 21:00 UTC
Demonstrations for German troop withdrawal from Afghanistan
Over 5,000 people have participated in peaceful rallies in Berlin and 
Stuttgart to protest Germany's military role in Afghanistan. The 
gatherings were organised by a collective of some 250 peace groups under 
the slogan: "Give peace a chance, troops out of Afghanistan." The German 
parliament is set to renew the Afghan deployment in October, extending 
the mandate by 15 months and increasing the maximum troop level by 1,000 
to 4,500. Currently about 3,300 German soldiers are serving in 
Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance 
Force (ISAF). Germany has lost about 30 troops in Afghanistan since 
2002, the year after the Taliban regime was removed in a US-led invasion.






http://www.workers.org/2008/world/germany_1009/

10,000 in Germany protest Afghanistan war
Published Oct 4, 2008 12:01 AM

Photo: Gabriele Senft
More than 10,000 protesters took to the streets of Germany’s capital 
Berlin and the southern metropolis Stuttgart on Sept. 17 to demand the 
withdrawal of German troops from Afghanistan.
All surveys and opinion polls show that a majority of people living in 
Germany oppose the country’s massive participation in the illegal 
occupation of Afghanistan, although only a minority in the Bundestag 
(Parliament) reflect this position. Here, the demonstrators from the 
Left Party carry a banner that reads: “Federal Army out of Afghanistan.”
Many of the NATO countries are participating in the occupation of 
Afghanistan, even if their governments refused to join the occupation of 
Iraq or have withdrawn from Iraq. In these countries the anti-war 
movement focuses on demands that the troops be withdrawn from Afghanistan.
Beside this protest in Germany, there is another set for Canada, whose 
troops have taken relatively heavy casualties. The Canadian Peace 
Alliance and Collectif Échec à la Guerre are calling for a pan-Canadian 
day of action on Oct. 18 to end the war in Afghanistan and bring 
Canadian troops home.
—John Catalinotto
________________________________________
Articles copyright 1995-2009 Workers World. Verbatim copying and 
distribution of this entire article is permitted in any medium without 
royalty provided this notice is preserved.








http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2008/09/2008920225034797740.html

French protest Afghan deployment


There are nearly 7,000 French and
German troops in Afghanistan [EPA]

Thousands of people have marched in France against the continuing 
deployment of troops in Afghanistan.
Political activists, trade unions and several left-wing opposition 
political parties organised marches in 10 towns across France on Saturday
The largest march occurred in Paris, with two to three thousand people 
attending.
It comes two days before a parliamentary vote on the positioning of 
France's troops in Afghanistan.
Germany protests
More than 5,000 people also took part in protests in the German cities 
of Berlin and Stuttgart, demanding that troops be brought home from the 
central Asian nation.
About 250 pacifist groups and trade union organisations had organised 
the demonstrations.
About 3,300 people marched in Berlin and another 2,000 in Stuttgart, 
although the organisers said a total of 7,000 people had took part.
'Give peace a chance'
Demonstrators carried banners with slogans including "Give peace a 
chance - Bring the troops back from Afghanistan."
Jens-Peter Steffen, who helped organise the Berlin rally, said: "There's 
another strategy for peace in Afghanistan that doesn't involve a 
military, and that strategy needs to be employed."
The German parliament is also going to a vote on October 7 on whether to 
send additional troops to Afghanistan.
France has more than 3,000 troops in Afghanistan with the 70,000 capita 
Nato-led force there. Germany has about 3,500 soldiers in the country.
Germany has lost about 30 German troops in Afghanistan since 2002 and 
France a total of 24 soldiers in the country.








http://www.mathaba.net/rss/?x=606747

________________________________________
Anti-war protest precedes UK`s annual Labour conference
Posted: 2008/09/20
From: MNN

Peace campaigners were gathering in Manchester, north-west England, 
Saturday, to stage a protest against the cost of the gov`t war policies 
ahead of Labour`s annual conference.

"War in the Caucasus has highlighted the growing danger of war 
spreading," said former veteran Labour cabinet minister Tony Benn, who 
is president of the Stop the War Coalition (STWC), organizing the 
demonstration.

"Seven years after the start of the war on terror, occupation continues 
to bring misery to Iraq and Afghanistan but the consequences of the war 
are spreading," Benn said.

"US policy of expanding NATO eastwards has been an important feature of 
the conflict between Russia and Georgia, as has the west's desire to 
control the oil and other natural resources of the region," he warned.

Under the banner of Troops Out, the demonstration was highlighting that 
while the Iraq war is a "continuing disaster," violence in Afghanistan 
has reached its "worst level" since the overthrow of the Taliban regime 
in 2001.

"Politicians and generals talk up the success of the 'surge', but Iraqis 
are still dying in large numbers every week. People lack clean water, 
electricity, and a working health system because the country has been 
wrecked by occupation," STWC said.

It pointed out that the majority of Iraqis want foreign troops to go, 
but said the "US and its allies are insisting on permanent military 
bases and the US control of Iraqi oil."

In its leaflet, Britain's network peace group also said that in 
Afghanistan, people were being told it was a "good war" but that the 
facts on the ground "tell a different story."

"The number of civilian casualties is mounting as bombing raids are 
stepped up. No reconstruction is taking place. More and more British 
troops are dying as resistance grows," it said.

STWC described the policies of the ruling Labour Party, ahead of the 
start of its conference on Sunday, as a "disgrace," saying it was still 
supporting the wars at a time when Prime Minister Gordon Brown has 
promised to schedule getting the troops out of Iraq.

"The billions being spent on war could be used to invest in housing, 
pensions and services," it said. Some have accused the billions being 
spent by both US and Britain as being at least partly responsible for 
the global economic crisis. --IRNA #







http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/special_reports/conference/s/1067715_thousands_stage_antiwar_protest?rss=yes

Thousands stage anti-war protest

20/ 9/2008

THOUSANDS of anti-war demonstrators staged a noisy protest outside the 
Labour Party conference calling on Gordon Brown to end the 
'catastrophic' conflict in Iraq and withdraw British troops.

Students, pensioners and peace activists joined a march through 
Manchester to deliver another anti-war message to the government.

Leaders of the Stop The War Coalition and the Campaign for Nuclear 
Disarmament held up a giant banner which read 'troops out' at the head 
of the march, which organisers said was joined by at least 5,000 people.

Scores of police officers, some on horseback, were on duty as the 
protesters walked towards the conference centre.

A letter was handed in to a Labour Party official explaining that the 
demonstration was in protest at the government's foreign policy which 
organisers said merely followed that of the US administration.

The letter read: "We urge you to deliver on your commitment to withdraw 
all British troops from the illegal and catastrophic occupation of Iraq.

"We also urge you to recognise that the occupation of Afghanistan has 
involved Britain in an unwinnable and devastating war in a country where 
the population is clearly opposed to our presence."

Lindsey German, convener of the coalition which signed the letter, said: 
"Seven years after the war in Iraq a number of flash points have flared 
up in the Middle East, South Asia and now the Caucuses.

"Britain's role in the world has become dangerous and to criticise 
Russia for taking military action in Georgia is breathtakingly 
hypocritical."

Kate Hudson, chairwoman of CND, said: "We are here to tell the 
government that we want a foreign policy based on peace not war.

"We want our troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan and we are appalled at 
the prospect of the further spread of war.

"Most people around the world want peace but our government plans war 
policies. Change is needed."

Members of the Military Families Against The War whose relatives have 
been killed or injured in Iraq or Afghanistan were also at the head of 
the march.

It was the 21st national demonstration organised by the anti-war groups.






http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/35944

Stop The War Coalition Demonstration in Manchester on September 20th
Submitted by Chip on Thu, 2008-09-11 19:11.
• Activism
• General Discussion
• Nonviolent Resistance
• Organizing Locally
Stop The War Coalition Demonstration in Manchester on September 20th
What will British foreign secretary David Miliband say in his speech to 
Labour's annual conference in Manchester? It's all too predictable. 'We' 
are 'winning' in Iraq, making 'progress' in Afghanistan, defending 
'democracy' in Georgia, confronting Iran to protect world 'security' and 
waging endless war against 'global terrorism'. 'We' stand "shoulder to 
shoulder" with George Bush and whoever his successor may be in following 
slavishly wherever US foreign policy takes 'us'.
There will be no place in Miliband's speech for the views of the people 
of Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran and anywhere else that the Bush wars have 
brought, or threaten to bring, mass slaughter and destruction. Only last 
weekend a mass demonstration of Iraqis took to the streets of Baghdad to 
call for all foreign troops to get out of Iraq, confirming country wide 
polls which show this to be the view of an overwhelming majority.
And David Miliband will not have a word to say about the large 
majorities in both Britain and the United States who have consistently 
opposed the warmongering carried out in their name and insisted that the 
US and British troops all be withdrawn from Iraq and Afghanistan.
David Miliband, Gordon Brown and the rest of the Labour government, who 
have so seamlessly adopted the war policies of Tony Blair, hope that the 
ever dutiful mainstream media will help delude people in this country 
into believing that 'we' are 'winning' and making 'progress' in our 
support for illegal invasions.
This is why Stop the War, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the 
British Muslim Initiative are organising a demonstration at the Labour 
Party conference in Manchester on Saturday 20 September, to ensure that 
the voice of the anti-war majority that opposes the government's 
warmongering is prominently represented.
Please publicise the details of the demonstration as widely as you can 
and join us in Manchester on 20 September.
Leaflets are available for downloading or from the Stop the War national 
office. Transport details for protestors travelling to Manchester from 
outside London are available on the Stop the war website or by calling 
020 7278 6694.





http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2404448,00.html

Protests planned over carrier
04/10/2008 17:21 - (SA)

Capetonians have been doing their best to photograph the carrier, 
anchored outside of Table Bay. This photo was taken from sightseeing 
boat in the harbour. (Richard Thornton, News24 User)

Cape Town - The USS Theodore Roosevelt - a nuclear-powered aircraft 
carrier - has made an overnight arrival in Table Bay harbour, but not 
everyone has welcomed its presence.
According to Talk Radio, Earthlife Africa and The Anti-War Coalition 
have planned demonstration at the V&A Waterfront on Saturday.
They are reportedly protesting against the arrival of the Roosevelt, and 
its support ship the USS Monterey, in South African waters.
Shaheed Mohamed of the Anti-War Coalition said his organisation was 
concerned South Africa is being used by the US government in the war 
effort, citing five different US war ships currently in the Western Cape.
"This is a warship that has been used to launch the invasion of 
Afghanistan. Secondly it's been used to launch the invasion of Iraq in 
2003."
There are also concerns about the nuclear reactor used to power the 
carrier. The National Nuclear Regulator gave permission for the carrier 
to drop anchor in Table Bay several days ago, despite objection from 
Earthlife Africa.
A spokesperson for the regulator, Tim Hill, said on Wednesday that the 
license granted for the visit obliged the applicants - the SA and US 
navies - to observe safe operating procedures.
It also called for an emergency plan devised by the City of Cape Town to 
be operational. Radiation monitoring would be done using existing 
detectors set up to monitor Koeberg power station.
Despite the planned protests, Capetonians of all ages have made their 
way to several vantage points along the coast to photograph the carrier.
The carrier, built in the early 80s, carries a crew of about 3 200, with 
another 2 480 members of the air wing, plus 85 aircraft. It spans 332 
metres - roughly three times the length of Newlands Rugby stadium.






http://www.myantiwar.org/view/162091.html

US-Pakistanis protest against drone attacks
NEW YORK: A group of Pakistani-Americans held a protest at a crowded 
Times Square on Sunday, against unilateral United States military 
attacks in Pakistani territory. “Violence breeds violence,” the 
protesters shouted, carrying placards calling on the US to respect 
Pakistan’s sovereignty. The demonstration, which lasted for about an 
hour, was organised by student activists and human rights bodies, 
including the Pakistan-USA Freedom Forum. app






http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/35962

Gold Star Families Protest Bush - McCain Event
Submitted by Chip on Fri, 2008-09-12 18:00.
Gold Star Families Protest Bush - McCain Event
in Oklahoma City, Friday, Sept. 12, 2008
Three Gold Star parents will protest President George W. Bush's visit to 
Oklahoma City on Friday, September 12. The event is being held to raise 
money for Republican candidate John McCain and the Republican National 
Committee.
Warren Henthorn, of Choctaw, Kay Henthorn, of Oklahoma City and John 
Scripsick of Wayne, OK. consider it their patriotic responsibility to 
show up to ask questions of President Bush about his mishandling of the 
war that cost their son's lives. In desperate economic times, many 
people, who do not have family members or friends serving in Iraq or 
Afghanistan, are paying little attention to the killing and suffering 
that is taking place on a daily basis so far across the world.
The fundraiser, being held on the northeast side of Oklahoma City at a 
private home, will give those attending the opportunity to donate $5,000 
to have their photograph taken to memorialize their support of George Bush.
These Gold Star families will not be donating or attending, but will be 
speaking out against the war which they say is both illegal and immoral 
and should be brought to an end. Their concern is for the other troops 
serving, those who will be deployed in the future and those returning, 
who are seeking medical care, along with the families that also undergo 
the hardships of war.
Henthorn and Scripsick have sought the advice of legal council to make 
sure their first amendment rights are secure and observed in 
demonstrating that morning at the event which takes place at 9200 N. 
Sooner Road, near Britton Road. They plan on arriving at 9:00 am as the 
doors open at 10:00 am and will close at 11:00 am.
"I’m sure standing on a corner this Friday, outside the fundraiser, will 
not get my questions answered. But maybe the right person will hear the 
message. I do know that doing nothing will produce nothing." Scripsick 
stated.
John Scripsick recently observed the one year memorial of his son’s 
death on September 6, 2007.







http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/presidentbush/2008/09/arrest-bush-che.html

Anti-war veterans unfurl 'Arrest Bush/Cheney' banner at National Archives

At 7:30 a.m. this morning, they climbed a nine-foot fence to occupy a 
35-foot-high ledge at the National Archives.
And five members of the Veterans for Peace organization have been there 
ever since. They say they're veterans of Vietnam and Iraq, anti-war 
activists, and soldiers for a cause who plan to fast for 24 hours in 
protest of the Bush administration.
Seeking the criminal prosecution of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, the 
organization distributed "Citizens' Arrest Warrants" to tourists waiting 
in line to enter the archives, which houses the key documents of U.S. 
history: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill 
of Rights.
In a press release, the group described the reasons for its protest:
Bush and Cheney’s serial abuse of the law of the land clearly marks them 
as domestic enemies of the Constitution. They have illegally invaded and 
occupied Iraq, deliberately destroyed civilian infrastructure, 
authorized torture, and unlawfully detained prisoners. These actions 
clearly mark them as war criminals. Accountability extends beyond 
impeachment to prosecution for war crimes even after their terms of 
office expire....
We are not conducting ourselves in a disorderly manner; our action is 
well-ordered and well-considered. We are not trespassing; we have come 
to the home of our Constitution to honor our oath to defend it.
So far, authorities have not interfered with the peaceful protest or the 
sign.
Yes, there's a sign. A 22-foot-by-x8-foot banner draped across the 
Constitution Avenue side of the archives says, “DEFEND OUR CONSTITUTION. 
ARREST BUSH AND CHENEY: WAR CRIMINALS!”








http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/15/2364264.htm

Sri Lankan protesters block UN withdrawal
Posted Mon Sep 15, 2008 8:00am AEST
The United Nations in Sri Lanka says hundreds of protesters are 
continuing to block UN offices inside rebel-held territory in the north, 
preventing its workers from leaving the area.
A spokesman for the UN said the pullout was temporarily being held up by 
the protests, but the agency's intention was to comply with the 
Government order to withdraw.
The UN began withdrawing a few days ago after the Government said it 
could not guarantee the safety of aid workers because of increased 
fighting near the main rebel-held town of Kilinochchi.
- BBC







http://article.wn.com/view/2008/09/07/UP_students_stage_dance_protest_vs_Gloria_s_Chacha/

UP students stage dance protest vs Gloria’s Cha-cha The Daily Tribune

By Pat C. Santos 09/07/2008 Christian and Muslim students of the 
University of the Philippines in Diliman launched a dance protest last 
Sept. 4 against the plan of Malacañang to pursue the change in the form 
of government amid the escalation of war in Mindanao.







http://kilusan.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=189:up-students-dance-against-cha-cha-&catid=12:youth-a-students&Itemid=68

UP Students Dance Against Cha-Cha



Kilusan News

posted by administrator
QUEZON CITY – Amidst the escalation of conflict between the GRP and the 
MILF in Mindanao, and the Arroyo administration's attempts to railroad 
Charter Change, students from the University of the Philippines Diliman 
show their protest in a unique way--through a dance competition.

In a protest action and dance competition spearheaded by the Student 
Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND-UP), 
students from various colleges in UP Diliman converged at the Palma Hall 
steps to witness the first ever "Dance Against Cha-cha" to express their 
unity against opportunistic moves by the government to use the Mindanao 
conflict as a scapegoat to push for Charter Change.

Amidst watching and participating in dance events like the Jive, 
Cha-cha, and crumping, the students also gathered in protest to stand 
with the Bangsamoro people's struggle for their right to 
self-determination and peace.

"This is our unique way of saying, we don't want Cha-Cha and we 
literally stomp our feet in protest," said Terry Ridon, spokesperson for 
STAND-UP. "We believed this is just a vain and self-centered attempt by 
the Arroyo regime to perpetuate itself in power and to continue its 
corrupt and repressive policies against the people."


"The Bangsamoro people, alongside their Lumad and Christian 
counterparts, have long been suffering from Arroyo's schemes to ensure 
her political survival," STAND-UP deputy secretary-general Fudge Tajar 
states. "It is already apparent that the Memorandum of Agreement on 
Ancestral Domain between her regime and the MILF is no more than a 
smokescreen for Charter Change. Cha-Cha shall ostensibly commence the 
shift to federalism to accommodate the demands of the Bangsamoro 
people's call for autonomy, but it shall only help perpetuate the Arroyo 
regime in power further than 2010."

"Mindanao cannot achieve genuine peace and autonomy under the US-Arroyo 
regime. The tally of human violations committed by government forces 
against the Bangsamoro people and Arroyo's manipulation of anti-Moro 
hysteria are but testaments to the government's insincerity in granting 
the Muslims the community they envision," Tajar says.

Further, the students lambast the Arroyo regime for pitting the 
Bangsamoro and the Christian people against each other as yet another 
diversionary tactic to obscure the intensifying cries for Gloria 
Macapagal-Arroyo's ouster.

Tajar states, "We, mga Iskolar ng Bayan, will never condone the 
atrocities Arroyo and her cohorts have committed against the people. 
While we unite with the Bangsamoro people's quest for genuine autonomy 
and peace, we also seek Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's ouster as instrumental 
to ending both the Bangsamoro people and the Filipino people's plight." ###








http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2008-08/2008-08-23-voa21.cfm

Protesters Demand Russia's Withdrawal from Georgia's Black Sea Port
By VOA News
23 August 2008

Georgian protestors shout anti Russian slogans at the entrance of the 
Black Sea port city of Poti, western Georgia, 23 Aug 2008
Hundreds of protesters have gathered outside Georgia's Black Sea port of 
Poti, demanding the withdrawal of Russian forces from the city.

They chanted "Russians Go Home" to protest checkpoints set up by Russian 
troops in armored personnel carriers. No direct confrontation was reported.

Moscow says it has fulfilled terms of a French-brokered peace deal with 
Tbilisi. But, in addition to Poti, Russian troops continue to patrol 
some key areas outside the so-called "security zones" where Russia 
claims it has the right to station troops in Georgia.

Those areas include the aviation base at Senaki and parts of a major 
highway connecting Tbilisi with the Black Sea coast.

Gen. Anatoly Nogovitsyn addresses the media in Moscow
Russian General Anatoly Nogovitsyn said Saturday the continued presence 
of Russian troops deep in Georgian territory is not breaking the 
cease-fire that Moscow and Tbilisi signed earlier this month. He said 
Georgia's special services are preparing further military action in 
South Ossetia, and the Russian troops are in key positions to ensure peace.

Nogovitsyn also objected to an increased presence of NATO ships in the 
Black Sea. He said Russia could increase the size of its force in 
Georgia if the United States begins to help Georgia rebuild its military.

NATO on Friday said its Black Sea deployment was planned long before the 
outbreak of the Gergian conflict, and that the ships are there for 
routine exercises.

The U.S. military said the USS McFaul, which arrived in the Black Sea on 
Friday from Greece, is carrying humanitarian aid for Georgia. Another 
U.S. ship is to follow.

A Polish frigate also entered the Black Sea late Friday.

In Tbilisi Saturday, Georgian lawmakers voted unanimously to extend 
emergency wartime powers for President Mikheil Saakashvili for another 
15 days.

The Georgian military move into South Ossetia earlier this month 
triggered a massive Russian response, with Moscow sending scores of 
tanks and thousands of troops into Georgia.






http://www.breitbart.com/image.php?id=iafp080906173900.opniqk3fp1&show_article=1

Irish football fans join an anti-Russian demonstration staged by 
Georgians reisiding in Germany

Irish football fans join an anti-Russian demonstration staged by 
Georgians reisiding in Germany opposite Mainz' main railway station, 
prior to the Georgia vs. Ireland Football World Cup 2010 group 8 
qualifying match.







http://en.for-ua.com/news/2008/08/22/131048.html

22 August 2008 | 13:10

Sevastopol holding protest actions against Ukraine’s involvement into 
military conflicts

Representatives of youth public organizations, the National Movement 
party, the congress of Ukrainian nationalists and Ukrainian People’s 
party are holding a protest action in the center of Sevastopol against 
the Ukraine’s involvement into military conflicts and usage of Russian 
symbols on he territory of Ukraine.
About one thousand representatives of organizations from of Kyiv, Odesa, 
Mykolayev, Kharkiv and other cities are taking part in the protest action.
The participants are holding banners “Sevastopol is not Tskhinvali”, 
“War with Georgia is not a feat, but crime against humanity”, “Medvedev, 
Ukraine does not need your peacemakers.”
The activists are also distributing papers and photos made in the region 
of military operations in Georgia.






http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/09/01/europe/EU-Georgia-Demonstration.php

Vast crowds jam Georgia in protest against Russia

The Associated Press
Published: September 1, 2008


TBILISI, Georgia: Huge crowds of Georgians surged into the capital's 
streets Monday to demonstrate against Russia while others gathered at a 
Russian checkpoint where soldiers are guarding the "security zone" 
Moscow claimed for itself after last month's war.
Large demonstrations also took place in Poti, the Black Sea port city 
where Russian forces have a checkpoint on the outskirts, and in Gori, 
which had been bombed and then occupied by Russian forces as fighting 
spread from the separatist republic of South Ossetia into Georgia proper.
Several hundred people marched from Gori to the Russian checkpoint at 
Karaleti, about four miles (six kilometers) north, where soldiers 
watched impassively but a tank turret swiveled ominously from behind an 
earthen fortification.
No figures for total turnout nationwide were immediately available, but 
the television station Rustavi-2 said more than 1 million people 
participated in the demonstrations that also included the cities of 
Kutaisi and Zugdidi.
The crowd that jammed Tbilisi's main avenue alone appeared to have at 
least 100,000 people. The demonstration in the capital dispersed by 
early evening, although horn-honking cars with national flags brandished 
from the windows continued to cruise the streets.
"I'm very proud of my people ... We will be free, we will prevail," 
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said amid the clamor at the 
capital's Freedom Square.
"I want to tell the whole world that not only will Russian imperialism 
not be victorious, but in Georgia the idea of Russian imperialism will 
be buried once and for all," he said.
The demonstration started with hand-holding people forming "human 
chains" in an echo of the so-called Baltic Chain of 1989, in which 
residents of then-Soviet Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia stretched the 
length of their homelands to protest Soviet occupation.
A 60-year-old demonstrator, Tengiz Kuparadze, said he had been in 
Lithuania for that event.
"Now, Lithuania has become free; it is a member of the European Union 
and reliably protected against Russia. Georgia will fight for this, and 
will win," he said.
Underscoring the Baltic example, some demonstrators waved Estonian and 
Lithuanian flags.
At the capital's Orthodox Sameba Cathedral, a soaring structure of 
peach-colored stone, several thousand demonstrators held hands for 
nearly an hour, seemingly unwilling to end a gesture that seemed both 
defiant and aimed at comforting each other. About 50 of them wore 
traditional warrior costumes of knee-length black tunics and belts from 
which hung daggers in elaborately filigreed silver scabbards.
Then the scene became livelier as long lines of young people holding 
hands, striding and skipping up the steep streets to the cathedral, 
shouting the country's name in Georgian: "Sa-kart-ve-lo."
The demonstrators in Tbilisi appeared to be largely in high spirits, 
using the event more as an expression of national pride than of anger. 
But one group of young people brandished a Russian-language sign warning 
"Farewell, Unclean Russia."
At the Karaleti checkpoint, one demonstrator held a sign reading "Stop 
Mutant Bear."
But for all the verve and unity, some demonstrators questioned whether 
the day would amount to anything more than a vivid show.
"I don't know what this will do — maybe it will help. We'll see what the 
summit does," said Rudolf Argasian, a demonstrator at the cathedral. He 
was referring to the European Union summit Monday that was expected to 
make strong statements but take little action against Russia.
The demonstration stood in contrast to Russia's main media event in the 
wake of last month's war — a concert led by Russian maestro Valery 
Gergiev in the war-battered South Ossetian capital. That concert, though 
billed as a requiem, had an air of triumphalism and many of the audience 
members appeared to be listening out of a sense of obligation.
The demonstration of unity could help Saakashvili deflect possible 
opposition criticism. So far, opposition parties have not publicly 
questioned the wisdom of launching the assault on Tskhinvali on Aug. 7 — 
a battle Georgia had no chance of winning — but the issue seems likely 
to arise as memories of the war's torments fade.
Saakashvili lost much credibility in last fall's crackdown on opposition 
protests and any significant criticism of his role in the war could 
quickly catch fire. Georgia's politics are characterized by 
contentiousness and passion.
---
Correspondents Misha Dzhindzhikhashvili in Tbilisi, Raul Gallego in Poti 
and Vakho Zabashta in Karaleti contributed to this report.







http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=331084

Protest against Russian intervention in Georgia staged in Prague
published: 01.09.2008, 15:34 | updated: 01.09.2008 15:35:21
Prague- Some 50 people today created a human chain in Prague centre as a 
protest against the Russian intervention in Georgia.

Other protest events against Russian policy are also being staged in 
various European cities as well as in Tbilisi today when an EU summit in 
Brussels is debating the stance on the Russian-Georgian conflict.
"The situation in our country is terrible not only for Georgia, but also 
for all civilised countries in the world," said a Georgian post-graduate 
student in Prague, Zurab Lalijashvili, one of the participants in the 
human chain today.
He carried a Georgian flag on his shoulders.
"Russian aggression is not what we want in the 21st century," he added.
Jimi Dabrundashvili, from the Samsoblo Georgian association that 
organised today's event, said the protest should call on the whole world 
to support Georgia as much as possible and make Russia fulfil all the 
six points of the ceasefire on which the Russian and French presidents 
agreed.
Samsoblo also held other protest events against the Russian steps in 
Georgia outside the Russian embassy in Prague in the past days.
In reaction to the Russian-Georgian conflict, the Czech cabinet of Mirek 
Topolanek has supported the territorial integrity of Georgia. Czech 
diplomacy promotes this position in Brussels today.
Czech President Vaclav Klaus, on the contrary says only Georgia, headed 
by pro-Western President Michail Saakashvili, is to blame for the conflict.
Famous Russian journalist Andrei Babitski, who watched the demonstration 
in Prague, told CTK and public Czech Radio that in his opinion, the 
South Ossetian leadership had no means to provoke the Russian reaction, 
and this is why Moscow was responsible for the situation.
Russia thereby wanted to prevent Georgia and Ukraine from entering NATO, 
however it will probably achieve exactly the opposite, he added.
"I think that Russia has miscalculated [the situation] since the right 
of the strongest is not accepted so unanimously any more," Babitski said.






http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1220300223.37/

Georgians stage mass protest against Russia
01 September 2008, 23:00 CET
(TBILISI) - Waving giant European Union flags and angrily denouncing 
Russia's leaders, huge crowds of Georgians filled the streets on Monday 
to protest against the Russian military presence in their country.
In what Georgian officials said was the biggest protest in the ex-Soviet 
republic's history, tens of thousands formed a gigantic human chain 
through the capital Tbilisi and staged similar demonstrations nationwide.
The rally -- which in Tbilisi took on a triumphant air -- coincided with 
an emergency summit of EU leaders in Brussels intended to respond to 
Russia's incursion into Georgia last month and occupation of swathes of 
territory.
The protestors carried the red-and-white Georgian flag and the flags of 
the European Union and the Western military alliance NATO, symbolising 
Tbilisi's desire to form closer ties with the West.
"Georgia will win together with Europe," President Mikheil Saakashvili 
told the crowds packed into Tbilisi's Freedom Square in an address from 
the balcony of the town hall.
"Georgia is united as never before. There are one million people on the 
streets," he proclaimed as Beethoven's "Ode to Joy," the anthem of 
Europe, boomed out from loudspeakers.
Protestors forming the human chain chanted "Sarkatevelos Gaumarjos!" 
("Long Live Georgia") while others drove past in hooting cars with 
Georgian flags flying from the windows.
As the Georgian national anthem played to mark the start of the rally, 
demonstrators -- many also holding candles -- joined their hands and 
raised them into the air.
"The world has to hear that we in Georgia are speaking with one voice," 
said Shalva Letashvili, an economist, proudly clutching a NATO flag.
"Europe has to help us and we have faith that they will. Who knows, 
tomorrow Russia could be invading even deeper into Europe," he added.
Emotions were running high against the Russian government, with one 
protestor carrying an image of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin 
made up as Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler next to the slogan "Stop Russia!"
"The Russians are the modern day Tartars and Mongols," seethed Zura 
Undatze, referring to the Turkic peoples who repeatedly raided Europe. 
"They are the new Genghiz Khan."
For Nino Kerikadi, 21, a business student, "Russia is a strong country 
and we are very small and the Russians want to occupy our territory."
"I keep thinking that this is a dream, this cannot be happening, that in 
the 21st century one country can be occupying and bombing another 
country's territory," she said.
Deputy Foreign Minister Giga Bokeria told AFP: "It is the biggest 
demonstration in Georgia's history. According to our estimates, more 
than one million people in the whole of Georgia are taking part in the 
human chain."
At least 100,000 people could be seen crammed in central Tbilisi alone, 
an AFP correspondent reported, with many more further out forming the 
human chain.
Elsewhere in Georgia, some 15,000 in the western port of Poti formed a 
human chain from the city centre to Russian military checkpoints that 
are still maintained on its outskirts, Georgia's Rustavi-2 television 
reported.
Around 10,000 people also took part in a human chain in the city of 
Gori, which was occupied by Russian troops until their partial pullout 
from Georgia last month, Imedi television said.
Smaller protests took place around Europe. About 500 Georgians living in 
Greece demonstrated in Athens, while 150 waved Georgian flags in 
London's Trafalgar Square and a similar number formed a human chain in 
central Prague.
At Monday's emergency summit, EU leaders decided to freeze strategic 
partnership talks with Moscow until Russian troops withdraw from 
Georgia, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he would visit Moscow and Tbilisi 
next Monday with Barroso and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana for 
talks on the crisis.
Georgia had been hoping for a tough response from EU leaders to Russia's 
August 8 incursion into Georgia and recognition of independence for two 
Moscow-backed separatist regions.
Russian troops entered Georgia to push back a Georgian offensive to 
retake the rebel enclave of South Ossetia, which broke away from Tbilisi 
in the 1990s with Moscow's backing.
Despite a partial withdrawal, Russian troops continue to hold positions 
in Georgia, serving in what Moscow describes as a peacekeeping mission. 
Tbilisi has labelled them an occupying force.