Russ,
Isn’t Geoff Lawton heading that
way!! Talk about front line permaculture...mild fascism in Australia seems pretty comfy heh! Its sad though
that in these situations the need for pc is never greater – but the risks
of getting it there are too great for many of us – hopefully fortune favour’s the brave. Maybe an fully armoured D11 would be the go – that way you get your
earthworks done in peace….
Cheers,
Yours and Growing,
Darren J. Doherty
Permaculture
Design Certificate, Permaculture Institute (1993, 1995, 2001)
Whole
Farm Planning Certificate (Train the Trainer), University of Melbourne (1995)
principal
consultant permaculture.biz
-----Original Message-----
From:
permaculture-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:permaculture-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Russ Grayson
Sent: Monday, June 23, 2003 7:36
PM
To: Intl permaculture list
Subject: [permaculture] Iraq
report -NGO/ media
The following information
is reported for NGO staff/ volunteers and media personnel planning to operate
in Iraq...
Sitrep 21.6.03:
/fontfamily>United Nations reported that
humanitarian assistance vehicles were being fired upon, along with those of the
US military.
To the south around the Safwan area humanitarian agency vehicles already
‘running the gauntlet’ of ‘stone and rock throwing’ now
report attacks by catapults and slingshots.
A media crew was attacked and beaten up at a demonstration in Baghdad following
a shooting of 2 demonstrators.
The US reports that attacks on US soldiers are spiralling and that sabotage
attacks against power and water installations are on the increase.
Anti-coalition leadership are issuing guidance to begin attacks again in
a few weeks. There is a general feeling of anti-American resistance.
Multiple sources report continuous attacks in the immediate future.
Convoys travelling the Baghdad / Jordan route, along with vehicles operating in
the Felujah or Ramadi areas are still at ‘high risk.’ Daily
reports are received of media vehicles being approached and targeted by
‘rogue’ vehicles intent on robbery and car jacking.
If anything it would appear robbers / local armed gangs are becoming more
aggressive and attacks becoming more frequent, even carrying out
‘dummy’ runs in the presence of US military vehicles!
It has to be accepted though, the military are not concentrating any effort in
this area. It has also been reported that in some instances – local
drivers have been approached and asked to give details of impending potential
‘target vehicles’. The reward on offer for soliciting such
information is apparently $US1000.
Intel: (source US Military)
The timeframe for the reported high likely hood of an impending
major attack against Coalition forces and/or Westerners within Baghdad has come
and gone.m However, the threat has not disappeared. The potential for an attack
on coalition bases or media/NGO occupied hotels such as the Palestine/Sheraton
Hotels remains a constant danger.
Additional security measures implemented at these establishments remain in
place.
Local Drivers
It has recently been reported that local drivers have and in some
cases still are, carrying weapons. After discussions with numerous local
drivers in Baghdad, they have stated that a majority of drivers carry weapons
and were before the war began, even more so now as the incidents on attacks are
on the increase.
Obviously it is down to the organisation employing the local drivers if they
allow the drivers to carry weapons. Please be aware, even though this
could be an initial deterrent
for the driver and passengers against potential attacks, it can also increase
the threat on your crews. (please refer to earlier brief ref armed
advisors). Some agencies will not employ drivers who are carrying weapons as
they realise the threat this could impose on their crews. Again, if the
threat is that bad, decide whether it is safe enough for your crews to remain
in country or bring them home.
It is seriously considered that defensive measures should be taken for trips
passing through or operating in the ‘high risk’ areas (mentioned
earlier in this document). These measures as a minimum, should involve the use
of 2 vehicles in a ‘lead and backup’ configuration. Each
vehicle should be of rugged construction E.G. GMC or Landcruiser, and as a
matter of caution, vehicles should be driven by a security advisor. This
is to facilitate the use of ‘evasive / defensive’ driving
techniques, which the advisors are trained to do.
It is seriously considered now that the ‘ante’ has been raised by
the gangsters. Attacks on the highways now appear to be better planned
and executed. A distinctive pattern has been reported by at least 2
sources. In a recent case where the above method was used but
‘firing’ did not take place, the intended ‘target’
vehicle was armoured and had tinted windows. It also had
‘German’ plates. It is believed that the robbers probably
thought that the intended victims were armed, as in the case a week earlier
when the four vehicle GSG9 convoy, (similar vehicles – German plates)
were involved.
...sitrep ends.
/fontfamily>........................................................................................................../color>/fontfamily>
Russ Grayson
/bigger>/color>Media services: journalism-print/ online/ photo
pacedge@magna.com.au Phone/ fax: 02 9588 6931
PO Box 446 Kogarah NSW 2217 Australia
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