From: taslima <............@telia.com>

To: <mail@robert-fisk.com>

Subject: thanks

Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 23:28:19 IST

Dear Robert Fisk,

I am sick and tired with CNN and BBC. To search for the authentic news on the web, I fotunately found your website. I rely on your views and reports. You have not told me, but I am telling my friends to visit your site to get the truth. Thank you so much for standing for freedom and for human rights. I salute you for your courage. Dont give up.

With best wishes

Taslima

From: Scott S..... <va........scott@shaw.ca>

To: mail@robert-fisk.com

Subject: polls and usa support

Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 22:53:43 IST

Could you forward this question to Mr.Fisk (if possible)...Why is there so much support for this war in america (or is there really?)

From: Philip ..... <p.....@raidtec.ie>

To: mail@robert-fisk.com

Subject: More on that serial number

Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 22:41:32 IST

The numbers 30003 and 96214 are so called CAGE codes ("Commercial and

Government Entity") which uniquely identify the suppliers to the

military in the chain.

There is a websearch form for CAGE numbers

http://www.gidm.dlis.dla.mil/bincs/begin_search.asp 

30003 NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND

96214 RAYTHEON COMPANY

I suspect AS stands for Assembly number (Assemblies are bunches of

components stuck together). I strongly suspect that 704 is the code

for an air launched guided missile. 7492 would be the sub-assembly.

http://www.robins.af.mil/smallbusiness/li.htm 

But there are other links for this kind of part number.

http://www.progressive.org/fink1099.htm 

It is likely that these numbers are stamped on every part of the

missile, so many fragments are likely to contain similar numbers.

Something which is really coincidental (and perhaps troublesome) is

that Fisk published an article in 1999 (April 22, also on the web)

which referred to another serial number from a bomb in Yugoslavia.

Did Fisk forget about this article when he wrote the article of 30/3?

http://www.tks.org/kosovo/robert_fisk.htm 

Philip

From: cri.... <c......williams@cern.ch>

To: mail@robert-fisk.com

Subject: manufacturer number on missile

Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 21:34:56 IST

Dear Sir

The story

http://argument.independent.co.uk/commentators/story.jsp?story=392161 

by Robert Fisk stands up since the manufacturers code 96214 appears to

point to

MANUFACTURER'S DETAILS

NCAGE STATUS TYPE

96214 A A

COMPANY NAME

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC DEFENSE SYSTEMS AND ELECTRONICS

2501 W UNIVERSITY

801 M/S 8064

MC KINNEY

UNITED STATES

TELEX TELEPHONE

75070-0801 214-952-4220

see web page:

http://www.ncb.mod.uk/nsn.htm 

for more details.

From: Tony M.... <.....@btopenworld.com>

To: <mail@robert-fisk.com>

Subject: in Baghdad, blood and bandages for the innocent

Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 20:21:24 IST

Dear Mr. Fisk,

I read with interest your excellent article, published in today's Independent (well, yesterday's by now) and I decided to do a little research on behalf of the American administration, which is very busy at the moment to be wasting its time looking up half deleted serial numbers on missile parts.

The first number did not yield any results on a Google search, but the "lot" number did (bless those arms manufacturers and their efficiency). The search provided me with 2 web addresses, for the Defense Supply Center Richmond, Directorate of Contracting, in Richmond, Virginia, and for the Defense Supply Center Columbus, in Columbus, Ohio.

The first site was not accessible, but the Ohio one (whose motto is: Taking the lead in Land, Maritime, and Missile Support") was. Here the part number came in handy, as a partial match was sufficient to identify the part as a Positive Nand Gate, Quad 2-Input. Apparently, nand gates are logic devices commonly found in digital equipment.

I hope this information is useful to you, as I am quite confident that it won't be of any use to anybody in the American media and Administration, hell-bent as they are to liberate Iraqis from the unbearable burden of their lives, with logic devices, but without any logic.

Alessandra .......

............... Street

Colchester, Essex CO....

tel: 01206 ...... 757

e-mail: .....@mtn.org

From: Hatem E.... <.....@hotmail.com>

To: mail@robert-fisk.com

Subject: Another USA diplomat resigns - 4 and counting

Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 19:57:36 IST

Thanks for your great report from Baghdad. Just wanted to update you with

this news of USA diplomat resignation.

Regards

Dr. Hatem ........i

Ottawa

Canada

From: Bilal N..... <b.....c@hotmail.com>

To: mail@robert-fisk.com

Subject: that shrapnel Fisk found

Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 17:49:42 IST

It's easy to confirm that it's a Nato bomb, the coding is almost identical to one reported from Kosovo.

From Fisk's article, "Nato Resorts to War By Proxy"  http://www.zoran.net/afp/text/independent/nato_resorts_to_war_by_proxy.htm 

"And in case Nato claims that he doesn't exist, Mr Shea may like to check

the munitions code found by the Yugoslav news agency Tanjug: 30003 70 4 AS

4829 MFP 96214."

Regards,

Bilal N.....

From: J .... Downie <ja....ie@shaw.ca>

To: mail@robert-fisk.com

Subject: Thank you, Mr. Fisk.

Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 15:45:11 IST

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your work as you report this war from the front. We are desperately adrift all over the world including here in Canada, rarely finding reliable information from within Iraq.

Please be safe. I fear the consequences if no credible (ie. "western") eyewitnesses are left to report the events you are describing. Your work is very important to us and probably millions of others.

Also, please just ask if there is anything a Canadian friend can do for you. My husband and I worry constantly about you, and, of course, all of Iraq's people. We would be honoured to help in any way you needed. (*god knows how, but you have only to ask)

Sincerely and with thanks,

Al....... Downie

From: Philip O.... <po....@raidtec.ie>

To: mail@robert-fisk.com

Subject: The proof you is not quite good enough.

Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 14:44:11 IST

Fortunately there is another record of a Tomahawk serial number from

the Yugoslavia

If you google the manufacturer "96214" (this is Raytheon) plus

"Tomahawk", you should come to a link from the 1999 bombing of

Yugoslavia. A similar story has been published with a serial number

of 30003 70 4 AS 4829 MFP 96214

This only exists in the Google cache

http://www.google.ie/search?q=cache 

Here is the relevant excerpt.

More, more about bombs

Wed, 21 Apr 1999 23:59:08 +0200

Hello folks

The other day I watched my old video tapes with classic animated

cartoons, mostly from the 40's... Beautiful, masterful shorts done by

Tex Every, Bob Clampett, etc... I was always puzzled by the fact that

some of the craziest, funniest ever cartoons were produced egzactly

during one of the bleakest moments in the history of the human kind,

that was a Second World War... But now, during the big turmoil in my

country at the end of the 20th century, I can understand that the

very bleakness of the situation is producing a great need for humor,

and perhaps it is a natural reaction, maybe it is just the level for

our psyche to use the latest reserve of the vitality in the periods

of crisis... Or maybe I'm wrong completely, as most of the people

that I know are simply sad and melancholic, and feel so small and

helpless.

Early in the morning NATO has bombed a tower block in Belgrade, where

some of the most outrageous, kitchy Serbian Television studios were

based, along with the headqarters of the Milosevic's party, etc. I

admit! I admit! - I was the one who had a vivid phantasies about

throwing a bomb on that same building, millions of times. But now

that I saw an ACTUAL bomb (three of them!) being thrown, I can

understand how stupid I was... Because, folks, IT IS ONLY A BUILDING!

The BUILDING is nothing but a building, and if you bomb an office,

just because you disagree with the policy of the people who worked

there, be sure that: 1.) you are dumb, and 2.) you haven't solved the

problem, my friend.

One of the first to protest against this meaningless act was the

Serbian Independent Journalist Alliance, people from the independent

media, who were spending the years being under the pressure of the

very same people who were walking through the offices of the tower

block that was bombed...

Another "glorious" NATO action for today was the bombing of the only

remaining bridge in the city of Novi Sad. Projectile left a big hole

in the bridge construction. Novi Sad is the capital of the northern

Serbian province of Vojvodina, a place with very rich cultural and

sub-cultural scene, a peaceful, multiethnic city that I always loved

to visit.

Finally, speaking of bombs, here's a story about the one which fell

near the village Ribnica, in Southern Serbia, seriously injuring two

civilians. The bomb contained a hand-written "message" by its sender:

"Bad times. Isn't it lovely. See you guys. I'm going home, Eric N.,

Italy"É beside the serial number of the NATO bomb, which was 30003 70

4 AS 4829 MFP 96214 (AP). The bomb wounded the local farmer, and his

16-year old daughter, who received major skull fractures and is in

critical condition...

See you soon...

Sasa

From: Field Lab - <fi.....@yahoo.com>

To: mail@robert-fisk.com

Subject: shrapnel information..

Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 14:21:54 IST

Hello-

I looked for the information regarding the shrapnel numbers that someone from the CBC suggested. I could only verify the number 96214, which is not a very unique number.

This number is oddly common in descriptions of weapons subassemblies, however. It turns out that this is the NATO "CAGE" (Commercial And Government Entity) number of Raytheon Systems' facility in McKinney, TX. Apparantly, this was formerly Texas Instruments' Defense Electronics Division, but was bought out by Raytheon.

If that's not the source, it is surely an interesting coincidence.

-John M......

From: Karin D.... <di......arin@hotmail.com>

To: mail@robert-fisk.com

Subject: Hello Mr Fisk

Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 13:59:05 IST

Dear Mr Fisk,

I have been reading your articles over the last few weeks and have found you amongst all the reporting of the war honest. I hope your ok over there. it must be like a hell. I feel for you and what your seeing, and want you to know that I am passing your reports to everyone I know via the internet. YOU are so important in giving the world an anti propaganda report.

 I am against the war, and find it hard to argue with some of my pro war friends, for they keep referring to the second World War, which is starting to annoy me, their arguments for war I think are based on fear and history, not progressive thinking, future building. I feel this war will bring more hatred and more violence, that is my fear, a fear for our children, our world.

everyday I wake up and see whether you have reported or not, there are many like me, I value your judgement and hope your going to be ok, I think your an exceptional man, love to you, and peace, KArin D......

From: Steve O.....<st....@topos.org>

To: <mail@robert-fisk.com>

Subject: Fisk US tour

Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 13:52:05 IST

Hello:

Where can I get info on Mr. Fisk's US appearances? Thanks.

Steve O.....

From: Kim .... <kim....@yahoo.com.au>

To: <mail@robert-fisk.com>

Subject: Scattering the bones

Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 12:42:37 IST

Goodmorning,

I'm a mum and peace activist from Queensland, Australia - and I'm asking you to help me "scatter the bones" of this war. First, read these words below by the writer "Starhawk" - then I'll explain some more:-

"And if I could, I would send you a bone. Not to call you to war, but away from it. Something you cannot avoid seeing, touching. Something to make the blood on our hands visible, unmistakable. A limb, a shoulder, a hunk of flesh dripping real blood, from the rubble beneath the bulldozer, the doorstep, from the child shot dead in the gunfight or buried under the house, from the bomb shelters of Baghdad and from the bloody busses of Tel Aviv. A bone red with blood to say: This is what colonization requires: blood soaked sand, holy earth defiled with death, human sacrifice." From "A Bone from Rafah" by Starhawk in Palestine on March 26th 2003

I've combined the above words in an extremely dramatic manner with one of the most horrific and heart-wrenching pictures to come out this foul war yet (partially printed "The Daily Mirror" UK of March 24th, but cropped) - however, I discovered the un cropped version and created a poster. Click on either of the two links below to access it, then please - "scatter the bones" to every corner of the earth, to call all peoples everywhere away from war.

http://www.geocities.com/beagwa/basra_child.htm 

And:-

www.geocities.com/beagwa 

Here's linking hands and hearts around the globe - Kim

From: Probir G... <p.....@hotmail.com>

To: <mail@robert-fisk.com>

Subject: No Subject

Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 12:35:39 IST

Thanks for the service you are doing the world through your reportage. Beyond that, please just stay alive!

From: Robin ...... <c....l@cox.net>

To: complex.gal

Subject: Please link to my Iraq resources

Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 11:47:50 IST

Hello everyone,

Please consider linking to my extensive Iraq resources page:

http://www.robincmiller.com/iraq-fr.htm 

I have linked to your site.

Thanks,

Robin

From: Saad......@aol.com

To: mail@robert-fisk.com

Subject: God Bless You ,,,, and More ,, God Protect you

Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 10:14:29 IST

Dear Robert : I have no idea what to say ????? as an arab living in the us and watching the terrorism against the iraqies it really sends shivers inside of me when i see you and read your reports ,, i think that the english vocabulary lacks such words of appreciation towards what you do ....

I hope you had the chance to see how stupid, biased, and directed the american press had become .... that makes you wonder why they hacked the aljazeera !!!

As an arab , as a human all we ask for is for the truth to be shown, for the people around the world and especially the people here in the us , its very unfortunate that the majority of brains here recieve and do not analize...

hope to see u again and again ,,,,,, and as always in good health and good shape....

hope to read your next book On " Operation Iraqi Occupation"

Dr. T

From: Zane B..... <.....e@sasquatch.com>

To: mail@robert-fisk.com

Subject: Audio Clip

Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 09:57:36 IST

Greetings and thanks for such a great site. I have found two mp3's,

(maybe from the 11-22-02 speech) at www.tucradio.org

Keep up the wondrous work.

From: Stephen ...... <step......hell@resource.nsw.gov.au>

To: <mail@robert-fisk.com>

Subject: MFR Code

Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 08:29:23 IST

I too tried to track down that number. It looked like a manufacturer code to me. I'm not 100% sure but it appears to be manufactured by Texas Instruments. Their ethics information page may need updating.

Stephen Mitchell

From: Ronaldo M... <rmar......onal@hotmail.com>

To: mail@robert-fisk.com

Subject: No Subject

Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 07:10:35 IST

This afternoon, I showed my mom the horrific photos of the civilian

casualties in the Aj-Jazeera site (the un translated one) and my mom thinks

that the victims in the photos are Palestinians, I told her they were

Iraqis. My mom thinks I have got too involved in this war. She thinks that

the images of war have stressed me out. In reality, it was the pro-war

speeches that really stressed me out and I have to see the alternative news

side to prove my point. My mom only knows about the "true" side of the war

through the embedded America media propaganda she sees in CNN. When I tried

to tell her the truth about my did George W. Bush drag us to the war with

forgeries and lies, we started arguing. She thinks that we have the right to

go to war even the evidence I read suggested that this war is illegal and

unjust (I did not tell her about it.) Then we got to a bitter argument and

she says I am killing myself with my anti=-war views that she calls "crap".

George W. Bush just tore my my family apart thanks to his blatant lies.

I am truly sorry that this happened.

Ronaldo M......

From: Sarah ...<sar......@cortract.com>

To: <mail@robert-fisk.com>

Subject: No Subject

Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 06:47:45 IST

Greetings:

First, I would like to thank you for your efforts, this site is excellent and there is no journalist more deserving.

I was watching Aljazeera, and they interviewed Robert Fisk.. I was wondering if you were going to post it online, or if you cannot find a copy that is in English (you can't hear him speak it is translated), I could retranslate it for the site.. it would be my pleasure.

Sincerely,

Sarah

From: "a.....at@pop.mninter.net" 

To: mail@robert-fisk.com

Subject: MFR 96214 09

Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 05:37:51 IST

Dear Mr. Fisk,

I read with interest your excellent article, published in today's

Independent (well, yesterday's by now) and I decided to do a little

research on behalf of the American administration, which is very busy at

the moment to be wasting its time looking up half deleted serial numbers on

missile parts.

The first number did not yield any results on a Google search, but the

"lot" number did (bless those arms manufacturers and their efficiency). The

search provided me with 2 web addresses, for the Defense Supply Center

Richmond, Directorate of Contracting, in Richmond, Virginia, and for the

Defense Supply Center Columbus, in Columbus, Ohio.

The first site was not accessible, but the Ohio one (whose motto is: Taking

the lead in Land, Maritime, and Missile Support") was. Here the part number

came in handy, as a partial match was sufficient to identify the part as a

Positive Nand Gate, Quad 2-Input. Apparently, nand gates are logic devices

commonly found in digital equipment.

I hope this information is useful to you, as I am quite confident that it

won't be of any use to anybody in the American media and Administration,

hell-bent as they are to liberate Iraqis from the unbearable burden of

their lives, with logic devices, but without any logic.

Alessandra ....

M.......... Street

........., Essex C......

tel: 01206 ...... 7....

From: ...   McNallen <.....a@lanset.com>

To: <mail@robert-fisk.com>

Subject: Thank You

Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 03:28:56 IST

Mr. Fisk,

Thank you for being a voice of courage and sanity.

I am far from a left winger or a liberal; I am politically conservative (not "neo"), a former Airborne Ranger in the US Army, another sucker who voted for Bush...and one hundred percent against this war and the predatory interests which have foisted it on the American people.

I liked my country better when it was a republic, not an empire.

Again, thank you. Keep up the fight. Many of us hear you.

Obviously, I don't expect a response to this; I just wanted to give you a vote of support.

Best,

....... McNallen

From: victoria ...... <.....@furiousdreams.com>

To: mail@robert-fisk.com

Subject: In Baghdad, blood and bandages for the innocent

Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2003 22:29:39 IST

You wrote on March 30:

But the missile was guided by computers and that vital shard of

fuselage was computer-coded. It can be easily verified and checked by

the Americans - if they choose to do so. It reads: 30003-704ASB 7492.

The letter "B" is scratched and could be an "H". This is believed to

be the serial number. It is followed by a further code which arms

manufacturers usually refer to as the weapon's "Lot" number. It

reads: MFR 96214 09.

I wonder if you shouldn't keep this piece of metal yourself or submit

it to the UN for identification later.

Thank you so much for risking your life to independently report. Here

in the US,we don't have much more than the Iraqis do in terms of

independent coverage. Thanks to FreespeechTV, Amy Goodman and

WorldLinkTV, those of us with a dish are able to sort through the

lies. And of course the Internet has provided a huge resource of

online coverage.

Regards,

Victoria .....

From: g.........@hotmail.com

To: mail@robert-fisk.com

Subject: For your attention

Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2003 21:02:41 IST

greathouse spotted this on the The Observer site and thought you should see it.

To see this story with its related links on the The Observer site, go to http://www.observer.co.uk

The tragedy of this unequal partnership

By opting to join the American hard Right, Tony Blair has made the gravest mistake of his political life .... http://www.observer.co.uk/iraq/story/0,12239,925856,00.html

Will Hutton

Saturday March 29 2003

The Guardian

From: D..... .... <........@cbc.ca>

To: <mail@robert-fisk.com>

Subject: schard # found

Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2003 19:57:38 IST

Mr. Fisk;

All i had to do was "google" the lot number on the shrapnel you found and i came up with this: http://www.dscc.dla.mil/downloads/acqforecast/october02/fle5985.txt

as you will see, it is the American Defense Supply Center in Columbus, Ohio.

Click here to see the Google's Cache of the Page

Click here for another Google's Cache of the page

D .....,

journalist, cbc radio

Montreal

From: Laura ....<la......@optusnet.com.au>

To: <mail@robert-fisk.com>

Subject: Spanish language version

Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2003 17:06:28 IST

The Robert Fisk articles (John Pilger, etc) can be distributed through a worldwide network of Latin American Spanish speaking friends to further the debate if they are available in Spanish.

Do you know of any Spanish translations of Roberts material in to Spanish language??

Great site. Thank you.

Ron C.......

From: The Maddens <the......@insightbb.com>

To: <mail@robert-fisk.com>

Subject: Why does he do this to his country?

Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2003 10:18:15 IST

للماذا عندما وُوجِهَ بالإصابات المدنيّة التي يمكن أن تُسَبَّب بالضّرر الثّانويّ من قصف الأهداف العسكريّة, سوف الزّعيم العراقيّ ليس يوافق على ترك البلد ؟ ليس حتّى لتوفير تلك الصّور على موقعك ؟ ماذا نوع الزّعيم يريد أن نوع الدّمار على مدينته, الخطر المحتمل إلى المدنيّين الأبرياء الذين قد يُجْرَحُوا بصورة غير متعمّدة, كدائمًا يحدث بأيّ حرب ؟ لماذا هناك لا قصص على موقعك عن هؤلاء السّكّان العراقيّين الذين كانوا يُهَاجَمُونَ من قبل أعضاء حزب الحمّام ؟ لماذا هناك لا قصص على موقعك عن تلك العائلات العراقيّة التي هُدِّدَتْ بالعسكريّ, ذلك إذا لم يقاتل رجالهم, أنّ أعضاء عائلتهم سيُقْتَلُونَ ؟

ويليس مادين

Why, when faced with the civilian injuries that can be caused by collateral damage from the bombing of military targets, would the Iraqi leader not agree to leave the country? Not even to spare those pictures on your site? What kind of leader wants that kind of destruction on his City, the potential danger to innocent civilians who may be hurt accidentally, as always occur with ANY war? Why are there no stories on your site about those Iraqi residents who were being attacked by members of the Bath party? Why are there no stories on your site about those Iraqi families that were threatened by the military, that if their men did not fight, that members of their family would be killed?

Wilis M......

From: Cletus......@aol.com

To: mail@robert-fisk.com

Subject: Truth

Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2003 08:39:38 IST

It is refreshing to have access to articles written by individuals with journalistic integrity, and and a rare appreciation for the truth. America has become a wasteland regarding critical thought and writing. Having elected an abject imbecile to the presidency, clearly ,the majority rule. What could be worse? Thank you.........

From: John D..... <john......@yahoo.com>

To: mail@robert-fisk.com

Subject: Einstein's words

Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2003 05:42:01 IST

Dear Mr Fisk,

Albert Einstein once said (or wrote), " There are only two things that are infinite: the universe, and the stupidity of man". The Americans have proven him right

again. It hurts to think that 72% of the American population still supports an unjust undertaking like this shameless war.

 It also hurts to see how US dollars can purchase just about everything. Even the

BBC has been purchased. Until a few days ago, the BBC was showing true images of collective human sorrow and despair in the streets of Baghdad; now it shows funerals of British soldiers who went to fight a heroic war. Let's face it: those American and British soldiers are cowardly invaders. They should have stood up for a good cause; they did not have the courage to do so. Killing innocent people isn't just another " job to be done" .

The BBC has ceased showing anti-war protests that are occurring around the globe; it only shows protests in Arab countries. The last credible TV has now become a puppet of the American government. Where are we going? We know that George Bush, the criminal president of a criminal nation, will win this war to satisfy his inflated ego. As a result of this folly, thousands of well-meaning and good-natured Americans will be slaughtered around the world over the years to come. What a waste !!!!!

John D.

From: Marty ..... <m.....@netwaynetworks.com.au>

To: <mail@robert-fisk.com>

Subject: Perspective appreciated

Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2003 05:13:43 IST

Thanks for your reports. Its almost impossible to get real info in the

misled western world - your writings are invaluable.

I wish this madness ends today.

Let me know what can be done. It seems hopeless here, as our tyrannical

government is ignoring us completely. The Arabs are likely to hate us

forever now, and all we have left is tears and sympathy.

This war is rotten and completely fucked.

Keep safe.

Cheers,

Marty

From: LC......@aol.com

To: mail@robert-fisk.com

Subject: Comments from an American woman to Robert Fisk

Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2003 01:13:48 IST

Dear Mr. Fisk,

I have been listening to your reports on an independent radio station is Southern California. Yours is one of the few voices of sanity I have heard in the barrage of all the transparent media propaganda we have been hit with from both sides of this event. Like so many of us here...my heart is breaking everyday. I am filled with shame for the rash actions of my government. It is failing to represent the true feelings of a large percentage of the American population and I wish somehow we could let the world know this. We...like so many people of the world are being swept along with the politics and policies of our governments. We are paying the price for the past actions of our governments...the under the table dealings that have propped up people like Bin Laden and Saddam in the past...gave them weapons to use against their neighbors like Iran and Russia. Eventually they turn and bit the hand that feed them. Unfortunately lot of Americans are ignorant of this information.

Being a "adolescent" country we have now been pushed into the "adult world" by being attacked on our own soil for the first time on Sept 11. It may be hard for other countries to relate...since most countries have been initiated long ago into this adult reality. Fear is the catalyst that is driving this operation in Iraq. Fear is prompting this country to seek out potential enemies.....Fear of losing security. Fear of losing natural resources such as oil and the impact it would have on such a unsteady economy as ours....Fear of terrorism by the exploitation of the paranoia experienced from the Sept 11 attacks that traumatized this country. Make no mistake about it...it was deeply traumatizing to watch images of planes filled with innocent families smashing hatefully into buildings. In the process some have become hardened and have lost the remnants of compassion that is needed to act wisely and to navigate in such a complex world.

I myself think the biggest enemy of us all is nationalism (not a very popular view) In a perfect world there would be no borders.....no soldiers to protect these borders.....no bombs.....no dead children on Iraqi soil or in American planes....no terrorists.....no fear. But what does one do in the real world we live in?

Lynne C.....

California

From: ....Fitzgerald <......@global.net.au>

To: <mail@robert-fisk.com>

Subject: how

Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2003 20:36:53 IST

Hi

I am a now a regular visitor to your site, many thanks for providing it.

How is Mr. Fisk communicating with the "outside world"? Can he keep it up as

more services are inevitably degraded?

Jeff

From: salim..... <dr.....iq@yahoo.com>

To: mail@robert-fisk.com

Subject: Good Work

Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2003 14:30:29 IST

Hi Mr Fisk:

You are doing great.

What do you think about Tony's remark that the people

of Basara are used to living without water?

Regards

Salim

From: Patrick T....<plowery......@mail.utexas.edu>

To: <mail@robert-fisk.com>

Subject: Article from The Texas Observer

Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2003 11:03:23 IST

Patrick T...... has recommended the following article from The Texas

Observer.

Interview with History

Robert Fisk Talks About Iraq, Afghanistan, and War

by Patrick T......

http://www.texasobserver.org/showArticle.asp?ArticleID=1275

Comments:

Our site is back up and running. Sorry if you haven't been able to link

through.

Keep up the great work,

Patrick

From: "Clark ....." <c.....@clarkevans.com>

To: mail@robert-fisk.com

Subject: your wonderful (ok, horrific) articles...

Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2003 09:24:41 IST

Robert Fisk,

I just wanted to thank you for your wonderful articles letting me

know what is happening in Iraq (and so many other articles in the

past). Your writing is incredibly helpful, it opens my eyes and

transitively the eyes of my friends, associates, and others.

Anyway, I feel powerless here in the US with my government which

is out-of-control -- but with your articles I cracked my knuckles

and wrote the following, which I've sent off to my senator and

many others. I hope you may find it helpful. Anything else I can

do please let me know. People do care, at least this person does.

Clark E.....

Senator Christopher Dodd,

I'm torn by this Iraq situation, one one hand, it is clear that

Saddam Hussein needs to be removed from power; the reasons for

his removal are clearly articulated and obvious.

That said, I am deeply suspicious of our current administration,

especially its unilateral approach and its black/white nationalistic

rhetoric. We are irreparably damaging international relations.

We are undermining core civil liberties in the name of fleeting

saftey. We are toying with the rule of men over the rule of law.

And most disturbingly, our excessive belief in our own abilities

has blinded us to our own failings and is interfering with our

recognition of God's own grace.

Some of this concern has been redressed recently by promises of the

administration that we will put in place a Democratic government in

Iraq and that Iraq's oil will be used for the benefit of its people.

However, history is not with us. Our record in the middle east is

dominant not with concern for people, but with obsession with control

over black gold. Time and time again we have propped oppressive

regimes, undermined secular societies with covert activity, and

supplied arms to those who would harm others. In short, I'm all for

Liberating Iraq, but only if the result is a Democratic result with

rule of the people and not the rule of corporations.

To that end, I would like to propose a very simple resolution which

will clarify our Noble Purpose of Freedom for the people of Iraq and

underscore that we are indeed Liberators:

WE, THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA, DO HEREBY PROMISE TO THE PEOPLE

OF IRAQ THAT THEIR OIL OR LAND WILL NOT BE SOLD, LEASED, OR

IN ANY WAY DISPENSED WITH WITHOUT A UNITED NATIONS SUPERVISED

POPULAR RESOLUTION WITH AT LEAST 50% OF THE POPULATION VOTING

AND AT LEAST 50% OF THE VOTES CAST BEING FOR THE RESOLUTION.

FURTHERMORE, WE THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA, DO PROMISE THAT ALL

SPENDING DONE IN THE NAME OF IRAQ, AND PAID FOR OR GUARANTEED

BY HER OIL OR LAND WILL BE DONE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF IRAQ,

AND NOT NECESSARILY THE BEST INTEREST IN THE UNITED STATES.

The above, will, in my opinion do two things. First, it will make

it very clear to the public of Iraq and the World at large that we

indeed have not become an Imperialist power. This may even bring

forth the surrender of Iraqi Nationalists who would otherwise fight

against perceived Invaders. Second, it will set a clear ground rules,

before the War is completed, to the leaders of our nation how we

will respect the natural resources of Iraq so that our nation and

our corporations are not accused of stealing.

Most importantly, the above resolution will bring with it good will

across the globe and would help set the stage for the New American

Century. A Century where we are seen as the Beacon of Hope.

Most Sincerely,

Clark .....

From: Ma...r@uwaterloo.ca

To: mail@robert-fisk.com

Subject: Re: website links, article archives

Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2003 09:09:07 IST

Dear Robert Fisk and website maintainers:

My wife and I have heard your reports over the years. We're glad to see you

have recorded it all on the website. I will certainly direct others to

this website, both to see a different point of view, and to show them that

independent/ web publishing can make a difference.

However, I noticed some articles are no longer available.

For example: Introduction/ Selected Works/

"Their lagoons and reedbeds gone, the Marsh Arabs have no refuge"

points to "The Independent", but the full text of the article is missing.

If copyright issues permit (or can be changed!), it would be nice to have the

full text of all articles on your webpage.

Also, please make sure the site is backed up and/or mirrored elsewhere. I

believe keeping a permanent record of this material, both your writing and the

comments and links, is essential. Of course that doesn't mean we'll learn

from our mistakes when the next war comes along...

Richard

From: Esc...... <es.....ch@rochester.rr.com>

To: <mail@robert-fisk.com>

Subject: Thanks

Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2003 05:58:30 IST

That is all I can say about your reporting.

I hope your articles will get a wider distribution in the US.

best regards

Reiner Es.......

From: Dja.....@aol.com

To: mail@robert-fisk.com

Subject: Bravo

Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2003 05:21:50 IST

Hello Mr Fisk

I have followed your articles since the Kosovo aggression by NATO. You were a brave soul in Kosovo reporting about the Serbian suffering. And now, again you are a voice in the wilderness! These warmongers like Clinton, Bush and Blair have no shame. Let's hope an impeachment process begins in the US.

Jan P

From: Quang...... <lu....g@AI.SRI.COM>

To: mail@robert-fisk.com

Subject: Thanks

Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2003 00:29:56 IST

I would like to thank you for setting up this site.

Mr Fisk is the best commentator on the Middle-East that

I have come across so far, and I have been constantly

scanning for his name on sites such as znet or independent.uk.

It is a great resource to have everything there, and to

see the daily updates from Baghdad. Those look to me like

one of the only "real" coverage you can read these days.

Keep up the good job !

Tuan.

From: Sami D.... <sami......@yahoo.com>

To: mail@robert-fisk.com

Subject: Great photo page

Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2003 00:23:39 IST

Thank you for your great webpage, and during the current crisis, for the great

but horrific subpage of pictures at

http://www.robert-fisk.com/iraqwarvictims_mar2003.htm  Please keep it up so the

world can see what is happening in Iraq. I have been emailing the URL to my

email lists.

Sami

From: Payman ...... <eft....ar@wam.umd.edu>

To: <mail@robert-fisk.com>

Subject: THANK YOU!

Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2003 22:24:40 IST

Thank you,

for bringing his views to the world

it is necceasary for the world to know

this brave man. specially americans!

From: Karamanidi Sta...... <s.....a@alter.gr>

To: <mail@robert-fisk.com>

Subject: GREECE

Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2003 21:29:09 IST