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Press Release: Peace Team II from Amman

March 12, 2003

After a six day delay seven members of the Canadian-American delegation of the Iraq Peace Team have received their visas. They will be leaving for Iraq tomorrow morning (their time) .

Some delegates who are in Baghdad are leaving either because their visa has not been renewed or lack of money. For the last week visa renewals have been restricted and are only renewed for 2 to 3 days.

This is probably the last delegation to gain entry into Iraq before the war begins.

Members of the delegation want to underscore that they are not the “Human Shield”, nor members of a humanitarian organisation. Most of the members have financed by their own expenses by or by donations from their community.

While in Iraq the Peace Team will support their Iraqi sisters and brothers by observing and reporting any human rights violations and speaking out against the massacre, should war break out. The work of the Voices in the Wilderness has, over the last six years, contributed the mobilisation of larger and larger number of people in the United States, Europe and Canada.

The present delegation will leave for Baghdad knowing full well the seriousness of the situation in case of a US invasion. They are prepared to share the same fate as the people of Iraq, and face the danger as long as is necessary.

For further information and telephone interviews, contact

Zehira or Robert between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. (Canada Eastern Time) at the Hotel Al-Monzer (Amman)

Tel: 463 9469 or 463 3277