PRESS RELEASE Voices UK [1]
12th November 2003
Contact: 0794 783 9992 or 0845 458 2564

Eyewitness Iraq: Arab-American Activist to speak across UK after two years in Baghdad

Friday 14th - Monday 24th November 2003, across the UK: Just days before George Bush arrives in London, Arab-American campaigner Ramsi Kysia will begin a national tour, speaking out against the occupation and about his experiences in Iraq before, during and after the invasion. During his 11 day visit, he will be speaking at public meetings in Bath, Bournemouth, Bradford, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Leamington Spa, Norwich, Nottingham, Wimbledon and York [2].

'The huge interest in Ramzi's visit from communities throughout Britain reflects a widespread desire for accurate information about the reality of the occupation for the Iraqi people', said Voices UK Spokesperson Gareth Evans. 'Through his extensive solidarity work, Ramzi is uniquely placed to convey their experiences to us'.

Writer [3] and activist Ramzi Kysia has spent nearly two years in Iraq before, during and after the invasion and - since the beginning of the US/UK occupation - has been helping a group of Iraqi university students in Baghdad start an independent newspaper and media website (see www.almuajaha.com). Since 1998, Kysia has worked with EPIC (the Education for Peace in Iraq Centre), Voices in the Wilderness US [4] and the National Network to End the War against Iraq, seeking to change U.S. policy toward Iraq.

Ramzi said, 'We cannot trust George Bush. US policy toward Iraq has never been governed by anything other than contempt for Iraqis. Peace and freedom - true freedom - are tangible realities that we can only build if we decide to stand up and be present. They take struggle. They take risks. It is dangerous to oppose our governments. It is dangerous to acknowledge our deep responsibility to people living in disaster. It is dangerous to risk our liberty and our lives in opposition to violence. It's also dangerous
not to, and if it weren't so dangerous it wouldn't be so necessary.'

Ramzi will be in London and available for interview on the mornings of Tuesday 18th and Monday 24th November. He will also be available for interview elsewhere.

For more information contact 0794 783 9992 or 0845 458 2564 or the local contacts
listed here.

NOTES
[1] Voices UK campaigns in solidarity with the people of Iraq. Between Feb. 1998 and
May 2002 Voices UK sent 11 sanctions-breaking delegations to Iraq to protest about the grave humanitarian impact on ordinary Iraqis of UN economic sanctions.
[2] For details of Ramzi's speaking engagements, see here.
[3] Ramzi's essays have appeared in the Huston Chronicle, San Diego Tribune, Jordan
Times and Common Dreams. His recent article for the US magazine Counterpunch can be read on-line here.
A selection of his pre-war writings can be read on-line here.
[4] Voices in the Wilderness US was founded in 1996 as a campaign of civil
disobedience against the economic sanctions on Iraq. Between 1996 and 2003 Voices
US sent over 70 sanctions-breaking delegations to Iraq - for which they and their
members have been fined $50,000. Voices US were present in Iraq throughout the war
and remain there now. See www.vitw.org.