Today, June 30, is a national holiday in Iraq

Date: June 30, 2009 at 11:51:21
From: Carpe Diem Voice, []
Subject: Today, June 30, is a national holiday in Iraq

Today, June 30, is a national holiday in Iraq.

Many Iraqis believe this is a historic day because today all U.S. combat forces are scheduled to leave Iraqi cities, towns and villages in accordance with the bilateral security agreement signed between the two governments last year.

The American Friends Service Committee believes that the removal of U.S. combat forces is a positive step toward the withdrawal of all US troops. That, we believe, is the strategic and long-term solution to creating a stable, united, and sovereign Iraq.

Today, though, is just one benchmark along the countdown to complete withdrawal.

During the last six years of occupation, Iraq has witnessed both periods of relative calm and cycles of increased violence. Huge challenges lie ahead for the Iraqi people as they work to strengthen the fragile political and security situation.

The Countdown to Withdrawal campaign will continue to follow and assess each benchmark of the agreement. We hope you will continue to help us urge the U.S. government to meet its obligations and responsibilities for a complete withdrawal of all forces.

You can help on a local level.
See: http://www.afsc.org/Iraq/ht/d/ContentDetails/i/2885/pid/13354
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Must-see Movie Recommendation: Sir! No Sir! Filmmaker and activist David Zeiger's documentary chronicles the largely forgotten anti-war activities of American GI's and other members of the military during the Vietnam era. Powerful and surprising, this look back at a little-investigated chapter of history weaves together the stories of veterans who participated in the opposition movement, an effort that, by the early 1970's, found widespread support from civilians and troops alike.

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Although Iraqi refugees have been out of the international spotlight recently, they must not be forgotten. Millions of Iraqis remain uprooted both inside and outside the country, and they need your help in their rebuilding their lives and communities.

There are stories of loss and despair, but there are also stories of hope and empowerment.

Three refugees forced to leave their homes in Iraq for new lives in Syria have found a way to empower other Iraqi refugees in Syria. The United Nations refugee agency tells the story (http://www.unhcr.org/4a323b686.html) of Salim Salem, Abdel Mounem Ahmad and Fadi Fares Aziz who met in Damascus and found they shared a passion for making music. Now the three, recording under the name Iraqi Musicians on the Move, have released an album called "Transitions."

Listen to samples from "Transitions" at emusic. Profits from the purchase of the album will support Iraqi refugees through programs of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Syria.
(http://www.emusic.com/album/Various-Artists-Transitions-Iraqi-Musicians-On-the-Move-MP3-Download/11471874.html)

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