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Human shields entry visa { February 11 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55857-2003Feb11.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55857-2003Feb11.html Iraq Grants Anti-War 'Human Shields' Entry Visas Reuters Tuesday, February 11, 2003; 8:50 AM ANKARA (Reuters) - A group of around 50 Western anti-war activists received visas Tuesday to enter Iraq where they plan to form "human shields" in an effort to deter a possible U.S.-led attack on the Arab state. The volunteers said at an impromptu news conference in the Turkish capital they hoped their presence and the possibility of Western casualties would encourage U.S. political leaders and military planners to re-think any plans to bomb Baghdad for its alleged development of weapons of mass destruction. "I am an American human shield on this trip to Baghdad to try and stop this war," said volunteer John Rosse. "I ask American troops headed here...not to come, they have no business being here. They do not make good ambassadors. They are here to kill, murder, devastate the civilian population of Iraq. That is not an American thing to do." The group is traveling across Turkey in a convoy, including a red double-decker bus, that is expected to cross into Syria on Wednesday before entering Iraq. The volunteers left London late last month and headed overland across Europe. On arriving in Iraq, they plan to disperse to populated areas of Baghdad and other parts of the country. Critics have said they are naively playing into Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's hands. Turkey last week deported Ken Nichols, a former U.S. marine who helped organize the "human shields" campaign, after he tried to enter the country using documents describing himself as a "citizen of the world." Edward Cranswick, a seismologist who works for the U.S. government, said he wanted to raise awareness among Americans. "I believe I am doing a small bit to raise attention, particularly (among) the American public...I want to be a human being alongside the Iraqis and that will get the attention of Americans," he said. © 2003 Reuters

americans arabs asia canada celebs church cities coleen-rowley congress dixie-chicks during-war europe former-presidents france germany iraqis military protests ritter russia turkey united-nations 911 family survivors { January 9 2003 } American soldiers seek asylum in canada { July 9 2004 } Americans resist war Amy goodman voice heard on iraq { March 10 2003 } Anti american sentiments Anti war strategy disruption { March 8 2003 } Attack not legal { February 27 2003 } Baghdad accuses powell { January 27 2003 } Blair regrets blowback from iraq war { May 10 2007 } Briton convincted for opposing war { April 14 2006 } Bush to please powerful jewish lobby { September 19 2002 } Bush_war_pics [gif] City sued over war protest { February 5 2003 } Former exchange ceo { March 4 2003 } Former minister meacher sparks fury { September 6 2003 } Gop leader resigns { March 10 2003 } Gore warns war helps terror { September 24 2002 } Greenpeace blocks uk { January 27 2003 } Happy you know it satire song Hecklers yell rumsfeld your fired Helen thomas { January 9 2003 } Hillary given pink slip { March 7 2003 } Human shields entry visa { February 11 2003 } Human shields ready Iraq double standard Iraq has world of allies { October 20 2002 } Iraq spies stirred protests { January 30 2003 } Iraq suffers { September 11 2002 } Iraq war effect on terrorism 031704 [gif] Late night satire Mainstream media dissent Mandela blasts { September 2 2002 } Mandela us wants holocaust Nationwise student protest 3 5 03 Pilger calls blair a coward Poet forum called off { January 31 2003 } Poet laureate opposes war Ramsey clark deounces war crimes { December 15 2002 } Rumsfeld disowned by relatives Saddam accuses US of world control Stormin norman schwarzkopf { January 28 2003 } Supports lacks among blacks Theatres global protest { March 3 2003 } Us diplomat resignation { February 27 2003 } Us fines woman human shield { August 11 2003 } Views on us 031704 [gif] Virtual protest { February 26 2003 } Whitehouse cancels poetry { January 30 2003 } World says oil greedy World suspicious US motives in iraq { December 4 2002 } Files Listed: 50

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