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Human shields' night of terror
22/03/2003 08:48 - (SA)
Martina Smite, Beeld
Baghdad - Despite having to listen to the terrifying sound from their hotel bomb shelter of the city exploding under missile fire on Thursday night, South Africa's 32 human shields in Baghdad vowed to continue their mission.
Some members were in tears, Abie Dawjee, group leader and national co-ordinator of the Iraq Action Committee, said from Baghdad. "But we're going to do what we came here for," he added.
On Friday night the Iraqi governments planned to take groups to strategic points such as power stations and waterworks about 10km from the hotel, where they were to spend the night.
During the day, when the bombing stops, they will remain at the hotel.
Of about 33 countries which sent human shield delegations, South Africa's is the largest, said Dawjee.
"Ordinary people received us very warmly," he added.
The group's bus crossed the border between Jordan and Iraq on Tuesday about 23:30, shortly before the first American bombs fell.
"As we approached Baghdad the reality began to sink in," explained Dawjee. "In the bomb shelter, with the night sky erupting in flame, fear began to stalk us."
His family back home watched the first explosions on TV with on the edge of their seats.
Dawjee says the group was motivated by the alleged 1.2 million Iraqi deaths because of sanctions and 150 000 deaths in the Gulf War.
"The US says it wants to free Iraqis, but they actually just want to free the oil fields."
And he's certain human shields make a difference. According to Dawjee, along with tens of thousands around the world demonstrating against the war, they say to the US: 'You are the real threat to world peace'.
- Beeld
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