USLAW leadership's overheated defense of the General Federal of Iraqi Workers (GFIW) <http://nyc.indymedia.org/or/2007/06/87029.html> is unpersuasive.
It consists largely of an angry tirade against New York City Labor Against the War (NYCLAW), which is accused of spreading "misinformation," "malicious, red-baiting characterizations," "unprincipled attacks," "put[ting] courageous [GFIW] labor leaders in grave danger," "breed[ing] confusion and division," and "destructive baiting." This litany of name-calling speaks volumes about USLAW leadership's intolerance for dissent. But how does it address -- let alone refute -- the fully-documented evidence about GFIW's support for U.S. occupation of Iraq? <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/2593> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/2264> Indeed, the *only* evidence contained in USLAW's response is a declaration, signed by GFIW's predecessor (IFTU) during the 2005 U.S. Iraq labor tour, that calls for "the war and occupation to end." But this proves only that, when expedient, GFIW can talk vaguely antiwar talk -- not that it walks the walk. How is that any different from Democratic politicians who vote to fund the war they claim to oppose? Again, we ask trade unionists and antiwar activists to reject attempts to silence those who report facts freely available to anyone who cares to look. Critically assess the unchallenged evidence posted above. Challenge GFIW's representative and tour sponsors to honestly answer questions such as the following: 1. Did Abdullah Muhsin, GFIW International Representative, state that, "If the American troops leave, Iraq will become a bloodbath and turn toward the dark ages"? (Philadelphia Citypaper, January 31, 2007, http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2007/02/01/occupational-hazards) 2. Did Wishyaar Hamad Haji, a member of the secretariat of the Iraqi Kurdistan Teachers' Union, a GFIW affiliate, tell trade unionists in the U.K. that "troops out now would be a 'catastrophe' without first building up the capacity of the Iraqi security forces, for which he wanted training from British troops"? (GFIW, April 19, 2007, http://www.iraqitradeunions.org/archives/000932.html) 3. Why did Hassan Juma'a Awad, leader of the Iraq Federation of Oil Unions (which just conducted a major strike), state that the IFTU/GFIW "[does] not oppose the occupation but are linked to their stooge regime"? (Socialist Worker, March 11, 2005, http://www.socialistworker.org/2005-1/534/534_06_EwaJasiewicz.shtml) 4. Does the GFIW agree with Raid Fahmi, member of the Central Committee of the Iraqi Communist party, that, "It's not possible to call for an immediate [U.S.] withdrawal"? (Political Affairs, November 25, 2006, http://www.politicalaffairs.net/article/articleview/4453/1/32/) 5. Does the GFIW agree with Hameed Moussa, head of the Iraqi Communist Party, that Bush's "surge" is a "positive" plan that "will succeed despite of challenges and difficulties"? (Deutsche Presse-Agentur, February 25, 2007, http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/news/article_1269172.php) 6. In what statement has the GFIW ever called for an *immediate* end to the U.S. war and occupation? * * * NYCLAW Co-Conveners (Other affiliations listed for identification only): Larry Adams Former President, NPMHU Local 300 Michael Letwin Former President, UAW Local 2325/Assn. of Legal Aid Attorneys; Former member, USLAW and UFPJ national steering committees Brenda Stokely Former President, AFSCME DC 1707; Co-Chair, Million Worker March --------------------------------------------------------------------------- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Digest: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Help: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive1: <http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive2: <http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
