Christiane Amanpour of CNN is reporting (12:52 AM CDT) that, because the Iraqi miltary forces in Basra, under severe bombardment for several days, have been driven back into Basra proper, the city of Basra has now been declared "a military target", i.e., the US/British forces are now planning to destroy the city until all pockets of resistance have been wiped out. Originally, it was part of the "hearts and minds" campaign that the civilian population centers would not become military targets. Just yesterday (24 Mar), George Bush declared that there would be massive humanitarian aid delivered to the people of Basra, "within 36 hours". Now, it appears that instead of humanitarian aid, the population of Basra will be subjected to a massive air bombardment and ground attack. This change of strategy on behalf of the self-proclaimed "liberators" of Iraq is a result of the stalwart defense of Iraq being given by the Iraqi army and large sections of the populace, who are now armed and prepared to defend their country! This promises to become the modern equivalent of a Guernica or a Warsaw Ghetto - like operation! The US/British Imperialist Forces are about to commit a tremendous holocaust against the Iraqi people!

Varlet

Defend Iraq! Down With US/British Imperialism!! Down with this Genocidal War Against the Iraqi Working Class!