cockburn

fact-finding in iraq
Friends of the Earth international patron bruce cockburn on a mission

"The calamitous situation faced by Iraqis is a human event that needs to be understood by all of us. As a songwriter, it goes with the job to bear witness to human events; as a concerned citizen, I welcome a unique opportunity to gain some of that understanding which I hope to share with others." (source : www.chartattack.com)

On January 12th, Canadian musician and activist Bruce Cockburn (cockburnproject.net) set off on a fact-finding mission to Baghdad together with Bishop Thomas Gumbleton from Detroit; US photojournalist Linda Panetta from the School of the Americas Watch ( www.soaw.org); and physician's assistant Johanna Berrigan from Catholic Worker (www.catholicworker.org). He visited the Friends of the Earth International Secretariat on the eve of his departure and told us about his trip.

"The main reason for going is the lack of reporting - particularly in the US media -- with an alternative viewpoint about what is happening in Iraq. For example, although there may be news about the US corporation Halliburton's contract to rebuild Iraq's oil industry, these mentions are sober and cautious. Part of our mission is to counterbalance this reporting."

The delegation also hopes to gain a better understanding of the war and how the presence of the US in Iraq has affected the population. Cockburn and his companions plan to meet with political leaders and Iraqis from all walks of life, including local musicians. They will visit hospitals, schools, orphanages and encampments for those left homeless by the war.

Is he nervous? "I'm not really worried yet, but I may be when I get there. I've been in war zones before, but this will be the hottest one."

Check back at the Friends of the Earth International website at the end of the month for photos and a follow-up interview with Bruce!