Come join the demonstration at the UN Compensation Commission
in Geneva, Wednesday 10th March 2004
Meet: By the famous broken chair sculpture in the centre of the Place des Nations

“I support this campaign. Why should the people of Iraq still be paying for Saddam’s crimes?” (Ahmed Mukhtar, Oud Player)

On 9-11 March 2004, the UN Compensation Commission is having it’s 51st meeting, at which it will award yet more reparations against the Iraqi people because of Saddam’s crimes back in 1990. So far around $18bn of reparations have been paid, $28bn are due, and about $100bn of claims remain unresolved. This is all on top of $130bn of odious debt.

Iraq has been promised about $685m of aid from countries other than the US for 2004, but the amount paid in reparations (5% of all oil revenue) is likely to exceed this. Already $1.45bn has been paid since Saddam’s statue fell on 8th April. For more info see: reparations background , scandal 1 and scandal 2.

This issue has had no coverage in the media and has been ignored by the Coalition. For this reason Jubilee Iraq will be staging a demonstration at the offices of the UNCC in Geneva.

A day of your time and only around €150/£100 travel and accommodation costs (from most European cities) could highlight the scandal of the reparations in the world media. This is a opportunity to make a real difference. We also intend to enjoy ourselves in Geneva before and after the demonstration!

If you can't make the demonstration, express your views to the UNCC at the address below, fax them on +41 22 917 0069 or call them on: +41 22 917 3600

Arrangements:

The peaceful demonstration will take place on the 10th March between 1-3pm at the UNCC offices in Geneva, while the commission is meeting to make new awards, possibly billions of dollars. UNCC offices, Villa La Pelouse, Palais des Nations, CH-1211, Geneva 10, Switzerland.

From London
There will be a group of people flying out together from London on the evening of the 9th and staying overnight. Alternatively people could fly in on the morning of the 10th and meet at the UNCC. Flights on Easyjet from London Luton and Gatwick airports and are reasonably priced (at around £80 return, or as low as £40 if you return on the morning of the 11th).

From other parts of Europe
Please get in touch and let us know your plans. If there’s a group going it could be arranged for people to travel together. A buss may be going from Paris. Cheap flights are reasonably priced and go to Geneva from most major European cities.

Upon arrival in Geneva
It takes around 20 minutes from the airport to the centre of Geneva (where the City Hostel is for those who want to stay overnight on the 9th). It takes roughly a further 20 minutes from the city centre to the UNCC offices. Maps will be provided and will soon be available here.

Banners
Please bring along banners and placards if you can in Arabic, French or English.