Join UfPJ in Denver and St. Paul

In a little less than a month from now, much of the attention of the nation and a good deal of the world will turn to Denver and then St. Paul - the sites of the Democratic and Republican Nominating Conventions.  While the presidential nominees of the two major parties are already determined, both of these conventions will draw literally thousands of reporters and journalists.  And this fact offers us -- the peace and justice movement -- a tremendous opportunity to ensure our visibility. United for Peace and Justice has made plans to take advantage of these opportunities.  We invite you to join us! We need your help to ensure that UFPJ's voice is heard!  Sign-up today to be part of our efforts in Denver (last week of August) or St. Paul (first week of September), or in both cities!

See full message at http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=3930

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'Not Our Country to Return To'
Dahr Jamail's Iraq Dispatches

** Dahr Jamail's MidEast Dispatches ** ** Visit the Dahr Jamail website http://dahrjamailiraq.comhttp://jeffpflueger.com * ** ** 

'Not Our Country To Return To' Inter Press Service <http://ipsnews.net/> By Maki al-Nazzal and Dahr Jamail*

DAMASCUS, Mar 3 (IPS) - More Iraqis continue to flee their country than the numbers returning, despite official claims to the contrary.

Thousands fleeing say security is as bad as ever, and that to return would be to accept death.

"Return to Iraq?" asks 35-year-old Ahmed Alwan, an Iraqi engineer now working at a restaurant in Damascus. "There is no Iraq to return to, my friend. Iraq only exists in our dreams and memories."

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported September last year that there are between 1.2 and 1.4 million Iraqi refugees in Syria alone. Most, like Alwan, do not intend to return.

"I shall never return to Iraq until the last American soldier and Iranian mullah leaves," Alwan says. "It is their country now, not ours. The only thing that might take me back is when I decide to fight for Iraq's real liberty." ..........

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