Patrick Cockburn in the Independent argues that the striking rates of infant mortality and cancer in the Iraqi city of Fallujah mans that the  bombardment by US marines in 2004 has left a toxic legacy that is 'worse than Hiroshima'.  Go to http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/toxic-legacy-of-us-assault-on-fallujah-worse-than-hiroshima-2034065.html 

The Kabul conference discussing the war in Afghanistan has only served to demonstrate the impasse which the war has now reached. Even the US administration has conceded that talks with the Taliban – so far resisted by Obama - are going to happen. The recognition that the war is losing contradicts the statements, still reiterated by foreign secretary William Hague, that there is a gradual improvement in the situation in Afghanistan.

The much-touted date for withdrawal in 2014 shows the desperation of the Nato
governments, faced with defeat in Afghanistan and growing unpopularity of the
war domestically. The fact that they are talking about a withdrawal date reflects the growing costs of the war, in human life and in billions of dollars. The death rate of British soldiers now stands at similar levels to those of Russian soldiers just before their withdrawal 20 years ago. The death rate of Afghans has increased over the past year. The Afghan army, supposedly being trained to take over the war from the Nato forces, has a 25% desertion rate.

But the conference today answers nothing. Why is fighting continuing in Helmand and the south when a likely outcome of negotiations to end the war will be to hand over that area to the Taliban? How can western governments claim the war is about human rights when it backs a government ranking among the most corrupt in the world? Why are these same governments ignoring public opinion, which is for rapid withdrawal of troops and an end to the war?

The role of the British government in this war has been shameful, from John Reid’s claim four years ago that the troops might be able to leave Helmand without a shot being fired in anger, to Hague’s current increasingly desperate justifications for the war.

How many more people will die before the proposed withdrawal date? How many
billions will be spent on an unjustifiable war while the welfare state is slashed by the Coalition government. And which government minister will have to tell the families of the dead what exactly they were fighting for?

We are asking all our supporters to redouble their efforts campaigning to bring the troops home. Now is a moment when the movement can really make a difference. Our timetable for withdrawal starts now, with campaigning in every locality, involving military families, trade unions, school students and students, faith groups and anti war campaigners. We are aiming for a big national demonstration to coincide with the next Nato summit on November 20^th saying it’s time to go –bring the troops home. Please start spreading the word about the demonstration.