arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ITALIAN CARAVAN ASSAULTED BY AMERICAN MILITARY IN IRAQ

A caravan organized by association Ya Basta departed Friday the 30th of May to take a one week trip through Iraq and Palestine to organize and aid humanitarian projects in the two war torn areas.

The caravan departed from Amman, Jordan to cross the Iraqi border to go to Baghdad, the first stop schedualed by the caravan.

However, upon reaching the Iraqi border, the caravan was stopped by the American military checkpoint. They were told that they needed to apply for entry visas to Iraq from the American command in Baghdad.

After an entire day of waiting in the middle of the desert, the caravan returned back to Amman.

Sunday the 1st of June, the 40 Italian activists occupied the Italian Embassy, refusing to leae untill the necessary procedures to obtain permission to enter Iraq were undertaken.

Sunday evening, official permission was granted by both the Italian Embassy in Amman and Baghdad as wel as the American authorities in Baghdad.

However, upon reaching the American checkpoint monday morning, the participants were informed that although their permission to enter Iraq was valid, there were â communicationâ problems that prevented the American check point from allowing them to enter.

After waiting for another entire day, the caravan refused to leave the border zone which provoked a violent response from the American military.

As of 6pm Iraqi time, 6 participants have been injured as the american soldiers violently loaded them into cars.

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See also:

Caravan Voyage to the Middle East in Iraq and Palestine
http://archive.indymedia.be/news/2003/06/66750.php