Il Manifesto's Appeal to Free Giuliana Sgrena
Danny Schecter of Media Channel has an op-ed at Common Dreams that contains the appeal of the newspaper Il Manifesto for the release of journalist Giuliana Sgrena.
" We ask of the men who have taken hostage our colleague, Giuliana Sgrena, that they release her, not just as an act of generosity and of mercy, but because Giuliana has always been a journalist who has struggled for peace, and an ally of the Iraqi people. Her articles for “Il Manifesto” have always expressed her opposition to the war and to the occupation of Iraq by the Americans and by the international coalition supporting them. Keeping her prisoner or harming her would further damage the cause of Iraq and of the Iraqis in the eyes of the world, fueling the arguments of those who want to impose “democracy” or “freedom” on the Arab-Moslem world through war and violence.
“Il Manifesto” does not believe this and has never believed it. It is an independent newspaper, peace loving by tradition, and it has always opposed the “preventive wars” of George Bush. Through Giuliana’s eyes our readers have seen the suffering that is daily inflicted on the Iraqi people by the occupation, especially on the women and children, suffering that she was determined to give voice to. It is a hard task, amongst the proliferation of armaments that has the world in its grip, and a task that a negative outcome for Giuliana would render yet more difficult. Iraq would be still more alone.
"We therefore beg you to free Giuliana quickly, and in the name of the Iraqi people who you wish to defend. Liberate one of the few voices that are still free to describe the reality of Iraq for what it is, and to oppose all forms of tyranny.
Here is the English translation of Il Manifesto's statement on Giuliana's release , and on the death of Nicola Calipari.
| < Joe Lieberman Disappoints Democrats | The Execution of Lena Baker > |
