Oppose the Deployment of British and Other Foreign Troops in Afghanistan!

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Oppose the Deployment of British and Other Foreign Troops in Afghanistan!

British-Led Force Given Green Light
The Mandate of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)

Tyneside Stop the War Coalition Resumes its Rallies and Vigils
Waltham Forest and Redbridge Stop the War Conference and Teach-In
Date of National Demonstration Changed

For Your Reference:
Some Important Facts about Kashmir

Britain and the interim Afghan government have finally signed an agreement authorising 4,500 foreign troops to occupy Afghanistan under British command. This does not include the American ground forces, which are under their own command.

The main character of the "New World Order" is that all economic, political, ideological and territorial issues must be settled on the world scale by arrangements between the big powers, even as they themselves clash over the arrangements. In this regard, one of the main aims of the big powers is to continue to do their utmost to eliminate any role of the people in determining their own fate. Not only are they embroiling the peoples of their countries in aggressive wars and adventures without their consent, but also domestic anti-terrorism legislation which criminalises dissenting political, ideological and religious conscience and civil disobedience also has this aim.

Two weeks after the UN Security Council authorised an international peacekeeping force for Afghanistan, negotiations are being completed as to the composition of the multinational force under British and US command. The agreement reached in Bonn on December 5 which lead to the creation of an interim government of Afghanistan accepted the request of the Security Council to consider authorising the early deployment to Afghanistan of an international security force "to assist the Afghan Interim Authority in the maintenance of security in Kabul and its surrounding areas". As a result, on December 20 the Security Council adopted Resolution 1386 authorising the establishment for six months of an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The Security Council also "welcomed the United Kingdom's offer to take the lead in organising and commanding such a force".

Britain is organising the force in conjunction with the US Central Command in Florida "for reasons of effectiveness", Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said. The US Central Command will have authority over the security force "to avoid any conflict between the two forces" that would "interfere with the successful completion of [US-led] Operation Enduring Freedom".

The size and composition of the multinational force also required the approval of the interim government of Afghanistan, although Britain has already determined that the force will be comprised of 4,500 troops and British troops started arriving in Kabul even before the Security Council resolution was passed. News agencies report that the final agreement on the multinational force has now been reached between Afghanistan's interim government and British officials.

Afghanistan and the British leaders of the force came to an agreement on December 31 enabling the deployment to go ahead, according to a British official.

"This basically gives us the green light," the official said. The agreement was initialled by General John McColl, who will lead the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), and an official of the Afghan interim government.

The agreement – which took days to negotiate because of contention over its size – has yet to be formally signed, and will first be reviewed by all member countries contributing troops to the force, the official said. Talks between Afghanistan's interim government and British officials had ended late on December 30 without the expected final agreement. At the end of the talks on December 31, a spokesman for Afghan Interior Minister Yunus Qanuni said, "The talks are over. There is no agreement. There is nothing to sign." Journalists had been barred from the talks, which had been taking place behind closed doors at the interior ministry.

Earlier on Monday, December 31, an advance column of about 70 British troops arrived in Kabul, as the vanguard of the international security force, in an 11-vehicle convoy. The group reinforced the 200-strong British contingent already patrolling the capital.

The UN Security Council Resolution 1386 reads in part:

"Stressing that all Afghan forces must adhere strictly to their obligations under human rights law, including respect for the rights of women, and under international humanitarian law,

"Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan,

"Determining that the situation in Afghanistan still constitutes a threat to international peace and security,

"Determined to ensure the full implementation of the mandate of the International Security Assistance Force, in consultation with the Afghan Interim Authority established by the Bonn Agreement,

"Acting for these reasons under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

"1. Authorises, as envisaged in Annex 1 to the Bonn Agreement, the establishment for 6 months of an International Security Assistance Force to assist the Afghan Interim Authority in the maintenance of security in Kabul and its surrounding areas, so that the Afghan Interim Authority as well as the personnel of the United Nations can operate in a secure environment;

"2. Calls upon Member States to contribute personnel, equipment and other resources to the International Security Assistance Force, and invites those Member States to inform the leadership of the Force and the Secretary-General;

"3. Authorises the Member States participating in the International Security Assistance Force to take all necessary measures to fulfil its mandate; [...]"

Although the ISAF is called a "peacekeeping force," it was not authorised on the basis of Chapter VI of the UN Charter which deals with "Pacific Settlement of Dispute," but on the basis of Chapter VII which deals with "Action with Respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches to the Peace, and Acts of Aggression" and it specifically authorises the use of force. It allows for an array of actions to be taken by the multinational force, including "complete or partial interruption of economic relations and of rail, sea, air, postal, telegraphic, radio, and other means of communication...." Chapter VII further stipulates that "should the Security Council consider that measures provided for in Article 41 would be inadequate or have proved to be inadequate, it may take such action by air, sea, or land forces as may be necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security. Such action may include demonstrations, blockade, and other operations by air, sea, or land forces of Members of the United Nations."

On Saturday, January 5, Tyneside Stop the War Coalition resumed its rally at the Monument, Newcastle, from 1pm – 3pm, against the war still going on in Afghanistan, and also held a vigil, from 3pm – 4pm, at the war memorial in the Haymarket.

Around twenty people took part in the actions giving out leaflets and collecting signatures on a petition telling Tony Blair that what the British government is doing is not in the name of the people. Hundreds of leaflets were given out and were warmly received by passers by. The leaflet points out that the "war is not over – the last few week have been the bloodiest so far, with thousands of Taleban, anti-Taleban and civilians massacred – just last weekend American Bombs killed over 100 villagers, no doubt to be explained as ‘collateral damage’." The leaflet explains how the bombing has caused millions to flee and how they are left to face a harsh winter without food or shelter, threatening a much higher death toll. It points out that as a result of the war conflicts "have exploded through out the Middle East and between India and Pakistan" and that the "USA have legitimised war as an ‘acceptable’ response to dealing with conflict". It also highlights how human rights have been attacked in Britain and that "through the passing of the Terrorism Bill, already 6 people are being held indefinitely". It says Bush is threatening to extend the war much further and poses the question "are we now facing a period of Permanent War?".

Besides the Saturday Rally and Vigil there was a candlelight vigil at 6.00pm on Monday, January 7, at the Monument to mark three months since the bombing started. There will also be a Public Meeting on Monday, January 21, at 7.30, Friends Meeting House (opposite Jesmond Metro). Speakers include Lindsay German (National Steering Committee, Stop the War Coalition) and Dave Webb from Yorkshire CND who is one of CND's experts on "Star Wars" and related issues and very active in the Global Network against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space.

The contact e-mail is Stopthewar@newcastle.uklinux.net and there is a meeting every Wednesday night at the Friends Meeting House at 7.00 pm to plan events for the weeks ahead.

Waltham Forest and Redbridge Stop the War are holding a Conference and Teach-In on Sunday, January 20, 2002. The event will run from 1.00 pm to early evening and will include a meal and film. It is being held at Forest YMCA, 642 Forest Road, Walthamstow, London E17 3EF. A crèche will be available and refreshments provided.

The themes of the conference/teach-in will be

• Globalisation and the "New World Order" Bush and Blair are seeking to impose;
• Defending human rights and civil rights, covering the anti-terrorist legislation, asylum seekers and racist attacks, unity of the community/movement against war;
• The situations now facing the people in Afghanistan and in the Middle East – their right to justice and to peace, the human cost of these wars.

Speakers include: Suresh Grover, Chair of National Civil Rights Movement and Sponsor of the Stop the War Coalition, active in campaigns for justice for victims of violence and fascist attacks including the Najeib family in Leeds and the Shaun Rodney family in Ilford; Ann Alexander, Campaign for Palestinian rights; Jim Brann, London Executive CND and Stop the War Coalition, speaking on US Defence Strategy prior to September 11 and after, and the light it can throw on actions since.

John Pilger, Christian Aid, World Development Movement and local faith leaders have also been invited.

Registration is £3.00. For further information or for a registration form, please contact Waltham Forest & Redbridge Stop the War, c/o Hornbeam Centre, 458 Hoe Street, London E17 9AH, telephone 07947 468 7411, or e-mail walthamforestredbridgestopwar@hotmail.com

The Stop the War Coalition has announced that the proposed national Stop the War demonstration on January 26, 2002, has moved to late February or early March (date to be confirmed). The steering committee met on January 2 to discuss forthcoming action, and the aforementioned decision was agreed unanimously and is fully supported by CND.

Details of alternative events should be available early this week, the Stop the War Coalition says.

In the light of the visit to Tony Blair to India, Pakistan and Kashmir, we are reproducing the following facts on Kashmir released by the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF). The website of JKLF is to be found at: www.independentjklf.org

1. Kashmir, officially termed the Jammu Kashmir State, surrounded by Pakistan, India, China and Afghanistan, has a population of over 15 million (more than the individual populations of as many as 131 independent nations of the world).
2. Kashmir has been an independent country for most of its long history, its borders expanding and shrinking periodically.
3. It has the economic, educational and political potential of becoming one of the most prosperous and advanced nations of the region within a decade or so after independence. During most of the time when it was an independent country, it was one of the most advanced and prosperous countries of the region.
4. Both India and Pakistan stand committed, through their declarations made on a national and international level, to concede to Kashmiris their right to opt for independence in addition to accession to India or Pakistan.
5. The history of the Kashmir issue is such that it is evident that neither wars nor bilateral talks between India and Pakistan can solve it. It can be solved permanently only if the international community takes a keen interest in its solution.
6. Leaving the Kashmir issue unresolved could well result in a catastrophe in the shape of nuclear war or at least in continuing to eat into the economic vitals of India and Pakistan, whereas its equitable and permanent solution would start an era of peace, progress and prosperity for the entire region inhabited by over one fifth of humanity and strengthen world economic order and world peace.
7. In the light of past experience and ground realities, the best practicable solution of the Kashmir issue is that the divided Jammu Kashmir State be re-united under international supervision and be made an independent country with a democratic, federal and secular system of government and having friendly relations with both India and Pakistan.