Ga naar Irak, word gearresteerd

Kotsmos · 21 september 2003, 22:43

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3126220.stm

This spring, the 62-year-old retired schoolteacher decided to travel to Iraq as a human shield.

To many she is a humanitarian, but in the eyes of the US Government she is a criminal.

By the standards of most Americans Faith Fippinger is well-travelled.

Over the past few years she has visited almost every continent and the souvenirs dotted around the house prove it.

High penalties

But it was her decision to travel to Iraq to try to prevent the war which has got her into trouble.

Dozens of people travelled to Iraq as human shields
"War is carnage, I understand that," she says.

"War is death, I understand that. In my opinion though this war was illegal, unjust and unnecessary," she told me.

For three months she travelled around Iraq, guarding oil refineries, teaching in schools and working in hospitals.

But when she returned home there was a letter waiting for her from the US Treasury Department.

"It was a requirement to send information as to why I was in Iraq," she says.

"It also said the penalties for being there could be as high as a million dollars and up to 12 years in jail."

'Freedom of speech'

By going to Iraq Faith Fippinger had broken the US economic embargo on Iraq, which had been in place for many years.

The letter explained that by travelling to the country and spending money there, Miss Fippinger was now liable for prosecution.

It's in regimes like Saddam Hussein's where that freedom is not allowed

Faith Fippinger
Supporters argue that she was simply exercising her right to freedom of travel and speech and accuse the Bush administration of trying to make an example of her.

"You know, part of what democracy is all about is that you can have varying opinions and that we can express them," she says.

"It's in regimes like Saddam Hussein's where that freedom is not allowed."

But the US Treasury Department is standing firm.

In a statement to the BBC it said that to express one's freedom of speech is a right but breaking the law of the United States is not a privilege.

It says it fully intends to proceed with her prosecution.

For travelling to Iraq Faith Fippinger will now probably lose her house, her pension and go to jail.

Hallo, VS?

Seba · 21 september 2003, 23:10

Citaat:

"You know, part of what democracy is all about is that you can have varying opinions and that we can express them," she says.

Van ironie gesproken. Ze houdt hier even een mooi betoog voor de democratie (en ja, ik vind de reactie van de VS ook overdreven hier), om dat als argument te gebruiken terwijl ze juist tegen een oorlog was die democratie ging installeren in een bloeddorstige dicatatuur

Kotsmos · 21 september 2003, 23:39

En dat is een reden om haar te arresteren?

TomB · 22 september 2003, 01:56

Citaat:

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door Kotsmos

En dat is een reden om haar te arresteren?

Is ze gearresteerd?
Ze schijnt ook nog vrij veel te zeggen in de pers voor iemand zonder freedom of speech.
Interessant geval om op te volgen. Ik ben benieuwd naar de uitkomst en het detail van het proces. Dit zou de beruchte patriot act wel eens in het gedrang kunnen brengen, en zulks kunnen we natuurlijk enkel toejuichen.

Supe®Staaf · 22 september 2003, 06:38

Citaat:

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door Kotsmos

"It also said the penalties for being there could be as high as a million dollars and up to 12 years in jail."

Amaaaai!
Als ze de US-soldaten die in Iraq vochten (vechten) op gelijke voet behandelen, dan zijn die hun soldij ook ferm kwijt.

Citaat:

The letter explained that by travelling to the country and spending money there, Miss Fippinger was now liable for prosecution.

Een waarschuwing om zelfs voor de wederopbouw in Iraq geen geld aldaar te besteden.............

Citaat:

But the US Treasury Department is standing firm.

Tuurlijk staan die mannen op hun strepen.
Er liggen nog facturen te wachten.
De wapenlobby levert niet gratis, zelfs niet uit humanitaire overwegingen.

Seba · 22 september 2003, 10:34

Citaat:

En dat is een reden om haar te arresteren?

Ik zei duidelijk dat ik de reactie van de VS natuurlijk overdreven vond. ZO'n eerste berichten zijn altijd riskant, dus laten we maar afwachten wat er echt van komt

Kotsmos · 22 september 2003, 16:34

Citaat:

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door TomB

Citaat:

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door Kotsmos

En dat is een reden om haar te arresteren?

Is ze gearresteerd?

Nee, maar het feit dat het wordt overwogen, en een volstrekt onschuldige reis naar Irak dus als een potentiële reden om haar te arresteren wordt gezien, is op zich wel behoorlijk onnozel.

eigeeltje · 22 september 2003, 18:18

Citaat:

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door Seba

Citaat:

"You know, part of what democracy is all about is that you can have varying opinions and that we can express them," she says.

Van ironie gesproken. Ze houdt hier even een mooi betoog voor de democratie (en ja, ik vind de reactie van de VS ook overdreven hier), om dat als argument te gebruiken terwijl ze juist tegen een oorlog was die democratie ging installeren in een bloeddorstige dicatatuur

En ik die dacht die oorlog echt niet gevoerd werd voor humanitaire redenen.

Waar blijft die fameuze overgangsregering nu eigenlijk?

21 september 2003, 22:43	#1
Kotsmos Minister-President Geregistreerd: 7 mei 2002 Berichten: 4.137	http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3126220.stm This spring, the 62-year-old retired schoolteacher decided to travel to Iraq as a human shield. To many she is a humanitarian, but in the eyes of the US Government she is a criminal. By the standards of most Americans Faith Fippinger is well-travelled. Over the past few years she has visited almost every continent and the souvenirs dotted around the house prove it. High penalties But it was her decision to travel to Iraq to try to prevent the war which has got her into trouble. Dozens of people travelled to Iraq as human shields "War is carnage, I understand that," she says. "War is death, I understand that. In my opinion though this war was illegal, unjust and unnecessary," she told me. For three months she travelled around Iraq, guarding oil refineries, teaching in schools and working in hospitals. But when she returned home there was a letter waiting for her from the US Treasury Department. "It was a requirement to send information as to why I was in Iraq," she says. "It also said the penalties for being there could be as high as a million dollars and up to 12 years in jail." 'Freedom of speech' By going to Iraq Faith Fippinger had broken the US economic embargo on Iraq, which had been in place for many years. The letter explained that by travelling to the country and spending money there, Miss Fippinger was now liable for prosecution. It's in regimes like Saddam Hussein's where that freedom is not allowed Faith Fippinger Supporters argue that she was simply exercising her right to freedom of travel and speech and accuse the Bush administration of trying to make an example of her. "You know, part of what democracy is all about is that you can have varying opinions and that we can express them," she says. "It's in regimes like Saddam Hussein's where that freedom is not allowed." But the US Treasury Department is standing firm. In a statement to the BBC it said that to express one's freedom of speech is a right but breaking the law of the United States is not a privilege. It says it fully intends to proceed with her prosecution. For travelling to Iraq Faith Fippinger will now probably lose her house, her pension and go to jail. Hallo, VS? __________________ Porno!

21 september 2003, 23:39	#3
Kotsmos Minister-President Geregistreerd: 7 mei 2002 Berichten: 4.137	En dat is een reden om haar te arresteren? __________________ Porno!