Dear friends,

 

I want to Cc to you this letter that I will e-mail to the Prime Minister’s office today. I read this out to a peace rally of about 200 people in Sydney the day I left Australia. I wanted them to be witnesses to my request of the Prime Minister. I would also like you to be a witness. Here it is:

 

Dear Prime Minister Howard (Cc: Foreign Minister Downer)

 

I would like to let you know that I have returned to Baghdad to continue humanitarian aid work in a bid to ease the suffering of Iraqi families, to report on the situation and to send messages of peace to the people there.

 

This will be my third trip to Iraq in the last 20 months.

 

During my first trip, before the invasion of Coalition countries, I was greeted with overwhelming warmth and showered with hospitality and friendship.

 

Iraqi people loved and admired Australians back then.

 

When I arrived for my second visit to Iraq, about six months into the occupation, I was still accepted with great respect. The people were grateful for the help of Australians like me, although they did not feel the same about the ‘help’ you gave them.

 

By the end of my time there, Iraqi people started to ask me questions like: “why do Australians want to harm us?” And “why does your Government follow America?”

 

I felt the friendly relationship deteriorating. The warmth disappeared.

 

During this visit to Iraq I will not be able to walk on the street. I will not be welcomed with open arms, but with fear and suspicion.

 

It is because I am Australian, Mr Howard, that my life will be in great danger.

 

You see because of your Government’s decision to invade a country which was no threat to us, you have offended an entire nation and plunged it into chaos.

 

Now I must make a request of you. During my time in Iraq, throughout the month of December 2004, I ask you respectfully to keep your mouth shut about your enthusiasm for the invasion and your admiration for the occupation.

 

You might not be aware that your comments, and those of Mr Downer, are broadcast extensively in Iraqi and Arab media.

 

I intend to stay safe in Iraq. But if I am held captive by any group of insurgents, it could be my record of opposing you and your policies that might save my life. It will be my only hope.

 

I request that you make no superficial comments of concern about me if this situation does occur. I request that you make no attempt to make contact with any group inside Iraq. I request that you do not attempt to ‘rescue’ me.

 

In fact, I’d prefer if you’d stick to the mis-informed and insulting comments you made last time about me being foolish and irresponsible. I figure that if you are criticising me, then the insurgents will think that I must be doing something right.

 

This is a serious request and I ask you abide by this. I will notify my family and large network of friends of this request as well as the Australian Embassy in Baghdad.

 

I do not go into this situation blindly. I have taken extreme precautions to stay safe and made arrangements for the Muslim community in Australia and elsewhere to advocate on my behalf if necessary. 

 

It’s a serious risk I’m taking. I’m well aware of that, but I believe it’s necessary.

 

I know I echo the voices of millions of Australians when I say that you have put our country to great shame by your violent participation in an occupation that is causing untold suffering across the great nation of Iraq.

 

I have to do something to counter that.

 

I know I speak for millions of Australians when I say that I refuse to collaborate with your policies and their results.

 

I have to go and communicate that.

 

I speak from my heart when I say I need to balance your Government’s military involvement with a human involvement of friendship and compassion.

 

I must go to deliver this.

     

Mr Howard, I feel you have given me no choice but to return with these important tasks.

 

I trust you will be keen to receive my first-hand reports from Iraq in order to better understand the situation there. (I am well aware that your staff in Baghdad do not leave their compound, so I am happy to provide detailed information with no fee.) 

 

I hope you will be open to hearing the views of the Iraqi people themselves about the occupation and Australia’s involvement.

 

I pray you may hear their cries.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Donna Mulhearn

    

PS: By the way, please don’t go talking about Saddam all the time. We all know this was not about Saddam. The Iraqis always laugh when you mention him. Please, be honest with yourself and don’t insult their intelligence.

 

PPS: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”

Matt 5.9

 

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Feel free to send it to the PM’s office with a covering letter if you want.

 

Your pilgrim

 

Donna              

 

PS: Don’t worry, I’m doing okay here! More news soon.

PPS: Thanks to those who have sent e-mails. I may not get the chance to respond to them all, but be assured I will read them, and I appreciate them.

PPPS: Raid says ‘hello’ to all his friends in Australia!

PPPPS: “Radical change will not be negotiated by Governments, it can only be enforced by people.” Arundhati Roy