From today's Guardian, 3 heartening antiwar stories. This time around the Brit antiwar movement looks to be taking the lead. Curious to see if any of these stories turn up in the US press.
john mage
1. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,870967,00.html> Anti-war train drivers refuse to move arms freight
Kevin Maguire Thursday January 9, 2003 The Guardian
Train drivers yesterday refused to move a freight train carrying ammunition believed to be destined for British forces being deployed in the Gulf.
Railway managers cancelled the Ministry of Defence service after the crewmen, described as "conscientious objectors" by a supporter, said they opposed Tony Blair's threat to attack Iraq.
The anti-war revolt is the first such industrial action by workers for decades.
The two Motherwell-based drivers declined to operate the train between the Glasgow area and the Glen Douglas base on Scotland's west coast, Europe's largest Nato weapons store.
English Welsh and Scottish Railway (EWS), which transports munitions for the MoD as well as commercial goods, yesterday attempted to persuade the drivers to move the disputed load by tomorrow.
Leaders of the Aslef rail union were pressed at a meeting with EWS executives to ask the drivers to relent. But the officials of a union opposed to any attack on Iraq are unlikely to comply...
2.<http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,871226,00.html>
Poet laureate joins doubters over Iraq
Motion queries motives behind possible attack in new poem
John Ezard Thursday January 9, 2003 The Guardian
In a rare step for a poet laureate, Andrew Motion today speaks out in his newest poem against the momentum towards a US-led invasion of Iraq using British forces who would be serving nominally under the Queen.
In the 30-word poem, Motion, who was appointed by the Queen in 1999, sides with those who are "doubtful" about a war - and against the political leaderships of Britain and America...
[the poem] CAUSA BELLI by Andrew Motion
They read good books, and quote, but never learn a language other than the scream of rocket-burn. Our straighter talk is drowned but ironclad: elections, money, empire, oil and Dad.
3.<http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,871227,00.html> Rebel MPs deliver war ultimatum
Revolt looms if conflict has no UN backing
Michael White and Ewen MacAskill Thursday January 9, 2003 The Guardian
The government is facing a hardening mood among Labour backbenchers against an attack on Iraq with predictions that up to 100 MPs are preparing to rebel and junior ministers could resign if war starts without UN backing...