Iraq sends five human shields home (Leader, Former U.S. Marine Ken O'Keefe Told to Leave)

Reuters | 3/06/03

[kattracks]

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq has ordered five human shields out of the country after a dispute over where the Western peace activists should deploy to deter possible U.S. military strikes.

Accusing them of undermining the "noble and courageous" spirit of other volunteers, senior Iraqi official Abdul-Razzaq al-Hashimi told a heated meeting of about 100 human shields in Baghdad that the five should leave by Friday.

It was the latest setback to the high-profile mission to Iraq by peace activists whose visit has been plagued by infighting, illness and a broken-down red London bus.

"Out of concern for the success of the noble cause you are here for, and so as not to let a few people in the group undermine this beautiful activity, I'm very sorry to say that I'm asking the five people to leave," Hashimi told the meeting.

He said the five who had been told to leave had set themselves up as representatives of the group and had been "holding unnecessary meetings, wasting time, knocking on doors at midnight...(and) asking stupid questions".

"We appreciate very much that you are here, but the rules of the house have to be respected," he said.

Activists at the meeting said the row centred on a disagreement over who should decide where they should deploy. Some had wanted to station themselves in hospitals or schools but were told instead to go to power stations.

Former U.S. marine Ken O'Keefe, one of those ordered to leave, said it was "absolutely unacceptable that human shields would arrive and immediately be taken to sites without our knowledge".

O'Keefe, whose Human Shield Action Iraq group coordinated the departure of dozens of volunteers from London six weeks ago, said Hashimi's decision would ensure that many other human shields would be leaving Baghdad too.

"It's just a shame that there may be Iraqi lives that could be lost as a result of numbers diminishing," he told Reuters.

One of the red double-decker buses which ferried O'Keefe and other human shields to Baghdad broke down en route from London. Two more are now stranded in Lebanon, with their owner needing $5,500 (3,430 pounds) to ship them home.

Some volunteers fell ill on the journey and dozens more have since left Iraq, saying they had wanted to protect hospitals and schools but had been forced out to refineries, power plants and water works.

But others said they would not quit.

"We planned to be here and we intend to stay here," British volunteer Karl Dallas told Hashimi to applause from the meeting.

Dallas said it was reasonable for Iraq to want the shields to defend power plants because hospitals and schools were over-stretched and could not cope with visitors.

[Illbay]

Saddam wants them all deployed around his palaces. They are "shocked, shocked" to discover that they aren't to be allowed to deploy around the homes of "little people."

[VRWCmember]

More dissension and discouragement among the human shields? Part of the problem with the human shields is they don't seem to be very well organized. They need an effective organization in order to have any real success. To be effective, a group needs a catchy name -- preferrably one that forms a good acronym. For the human shield organization, I recommend:
Strategic Human Insertion Team: Fostering Obstruction, Resistance, & Barriers, Rejecting American Interests, & National Security.

[george wythe]

Former U.S. marine Ken O'Keefe

Traitor bumped.

The 5 leaders are not welcome, only docile sheep need to apply.

Human Shields must be more idiot than useful, therefore we call them "idiot usefuls"

[Conspiracy Guy]

This is absolutely heart breaking. Five less targets of opportunity for pilots wishing to expend that unused ammo on the return from their primary targets. I saw a human shield protecting the drive by window at the Mickey D's this morning.

[gulfcoast6]

Hey, they went, they buy the farm.

[spectre]

"Dallas said it was reasonable for Iraq to want the shields to defend power plants because hospitals and schools were over-stretched and could not cope with visitors."

Say what?

[TimPatriot]

"We planned to be here and we intend to stay here," British volunteer Karl Dallas told Hashimi to applause from the meeting.

Will Karl be the 2003 winner of the Darwin awards?

[Steve Van Doorn]

"Former U.S. marine Ken O'Keefe, one of those ordered to leave, said it was "absolutely unacceptable that human shields would arrive and immediately be taken to sites without our knowledge"."

I have always been told Marines are dumb but this guy takes the cake.

[Dirk McQuickly]

Tickets to Baghdad: $1500

Three changes of clothing: $85

Fodor's Iraq: $15

"holding unnecessary meetings, wasting time, knocking on doors at midnight...(and) asking stupid questions": priceless

[appalachian_dweller]

These people should be forced to live under Saddam's rule. Bet they would be so supportive of this evil man then, but Saddam's rule won't last much longer thanks to George W. Bush and the brave men and women of the US Military.

[ZinGirl]

Ken O'Keefe, one of those ordered to leave

WOO-HOOO!!!!!

what a maroon.....

[Magnum44]

LOL!!!

[RummyChick]

This human shield drama provides me with more laughs than most sitcoms.

[trebb]

dozens more have since left Iraq, saying they had wanted to protect hospitals and schools

Why would hospitals and schools need protection? The only way we will hit them is if:
1. We have sure-fire evidence there are legal targets there.
2. A bomb goes off course.

Obviously, they only wanted to have a high-profile vacation so they could brag about their atruistic "bravery".

[Spiff]

Former U.S. marine and current traitor, Ken O'Keefe, should be immediately detained upon attempting to enter the U.S. We are still at a state of war with Iraq (with only a ceasefire in place) and he clearly aided and abetted the enemy. His trial and subsequent punishment should be used as an example to deter others who are contemplating treason or sedition. He should share a cell with ratboy.

[Free_at_last_-2001]

Iraq sends five human shields home - can they be sent back?

[prairiebreeze]

**...(and) asking stupid questions".**

Like "what the fright am I DOING HERE" perhaps?? :^P

Prairie

[hellinahandcart]

Former U.S. marine Ken O'Keefe, one of those ordered to leave

I guess the Iraqis got tired of his crap too.

[Bahbah]

Thanks for providing my human shield story/laugh of the day. I don't know what I'll do without them when this is over.