"U.S. Occupation Set Corruption Free" Says Iraqi Union Leader

[Itsthetruth]

scoop.co.nz
June 21, 2005

Iraqi Union Leaders Speak About Occupation
By Sonia Nettnin

(Chicago) – Falah Awan and Amjad Ali Aljawhry spoke about the effects of military occupation on Iraqi society and the country’s labor union movement. Awan is president of the Federation of Workers Councils and Unions of Iraq (FWCUI) and Aljawhry is representative of the FWCUI and the Union of the Unemployed in Iraq (UUI) for North America. Both workers’ organizations want independent, democratic unions free of government control.

After 27 months of occupation, “…our federation stands for immediate withdrawal of troops immediately,” Aljawhry said. “Since day one of occupation Iraqi people have not seen one single moment of peace.”

“I’m not saying it was good under Saddam Hussein when corruption was high,” Aljawhry said, “but the U.S. occupation set corruption free.” As a result, poor and unsafe living conditions are the consequences. More than half of the country’s population – Iraqi women and children – cannot leave their homes without a male, family member escorting them. “This is the democracy we’ve been promised,” he added.

Their hope is that the millions of people across the world who demonstrated against the war in Iraq will stand now because their workers’ rights are at stake also. With regards to U.S. policy abroad, the Iraq labor movement’s position is that Iraq is not only a local matter but an international issue. Their belief is that the victory of Iraqi workers will be a victory for the workers’ movement worldwide.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00289.htm



FWCUI President Falah Awan (left) and UUI Representative Amjad Ali Aljawhry (right) spoke about the military occupation of Iraq. They provided a status report on their country's security and the economic conditions of Iraqi society.

[Itsthetruth]

1. This Iraqi Resistance To Occupation Americans Should Support

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3905116&mesg_id=3905116