Thousands of Protesters Greet US War Games in Philippines

[babylonsister]

Thousands of Protesters Greet US War Games in Philippines
by Teresa Cerjano


MANILA, Philippines - Demonstrators calling for US troops to withdraw from the Philippines protested the start of annual joint military exercises Monday, with hundreds of American troops heading to southern islands where al-Qaeda-linked militants operate.


The two-week drills — called Balikatan, or “shoulder-to-shoulder” — bring together 6,000 US and 2,000 Filipino troops at a time when Philippine forces are battling militants from the Abu Sayyaf and its allies from the Indonesia-based Jemaah Islamiyah terror network.

About 30 protesters from the left-wing coalition Bayan burned a US flag and chanted “US troops out now!” outside the gate of the military headquarters in Manila, where US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo and top military officials led the opening ceremony.

Rallies also were held in at least four southern cities to demand US troops leave because of alleged involvement in combat operations — prohibited by Philippine law — and human rights abuses, activists said.

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http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/02/19/7145/

[Parche]

1. Everything In Bush's World Is Al-Kida Linked

:grr: :grr: :grr:

:hi:

[babylonsister]

2. And guess who's being blamed, whether we agree with him or not.

I can't wait til 1/09!

:hi: