From: MAX WATTS
Monday, March 24, 2003 6:54 PM
Calls to Oz Human Shields at the 7th April Water Treatment Plant
BAGHDAD: MORE ANGRY
Tels with Baghdad: Monday 24.3.03 - 7:00 and 14:45hrs (Sydney AEST)
Call to Oz Human Shields at the 7th April Water Treatment Plant (23:00 hrs Sunday 23.3.03)
Donna M: Last night (Saturday to Sunday) was the worst bombing (so far). Bombing continued all day - pretty continuous. We've had some hits pretty close, couldn't see what they were targeting, hitting. The missiles fly over, low, deafening, terrifying
MW: do you intend to leave ?
Donna M: We're not going anywhere !
MW: How is Rosemarie ? What is she doing ?
Donna M: Sleeping.. (MW: Let her sleep !) She's working very hard on the report (about the effect of the war on children, their health) she's doing, today the internet was down in town, but now it's up again.
MW: dangerous.. leave ?
Donna M: All the Oz (Australian) human shields are OK. We're committed.. to staying here. I went to a hospital today, there were many pregnant women, who have lost their babies, the blast -- apparently makes them lose the baby. I have become more angry every day.
MW: You know, about the Australians, troops, bombing..
Donna M: Send them home ! They have no business being here. I saw interviews with (American) prisoners on the (Iraqi) TV. When they were asked what they were doing here, why they were in Iraq, they replied: "I was only following orders"
That sure sounds familiar ! What the Germans said in Nuernberg
Donna M: They are kids, 21, 23 years old. They were petrified. They are as much victims of Downing Street, of the White House, (as the Iraqi women.. who lose their babies). They are pawns The real criminals are back home, safe.
As usual !
MW: The bombs
Donna M: I was knocked over by the (blast) pressure. Patricia has a pretty bad stomach ache (gastroenteritis, see below). We need the phone line
MW: I'll call again, later.
Tel 14:45 Sydney AEST, 5:45 Baghdad, Monday 24.3.03
Donna M: Scattered bombing all around.
Rosemarie Gillespie: Bombing Sunday nite was intense. Building shaking. Donna screamed. I have a headache. Patricia is sick, Gastroenteritis
MW: are you drinking Tigris water ?
RG: We are getting very pure water, refined, specially, for the hospitals, there is a Red Cross unit here producing special water for the hospitals, they are giving us some.
MW: Red Cross ? Not Red Crescent ?
RG: International Committee of the Red Cross.. ICRC. Iraqi personnel, but the unit comes from Red Cross. Purify Water for the Hospitals.
MW: What are you doing ?
RG: I'm working on a report concerning the visit of the Belgian Doctor (name ? later) visited the hospital(s) after the bombing 2 days ago, there were 101 casualties in this one hospital (name ? on report). Women, hit in their homes, in the gardens, children very badly injured, burned, in Intensive Care. After last night it will be worse. It was by chance we, here, were not hit last night
MW: What are your plans ?
RG: The Human Shields are having a general meeting today (Monday, 24.3). Some people might take asylum in different embassies, maybe, later Much more important are the people in the hospitals
MW An Australian bomber pilot, I think on a Harrier, refused to drop his bomb(s) because he saw it would hit civilians
RG: Try and let him know: We (the people under the bombs) are very grateful. He's a true Ozzie
RG: The email connection is up again today, I'll (try to) send you the report by email.
Email to me at both edresses:
I'll try check both.