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Intellectuals urge Blair to pull out of Iraq

Hasan Suroor

LONDON: Some of Britain's most distinguished writers, academics, film-makers and artistes have come together to demand the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq, saying in an open letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair that the occupation of Iraq has been an "unmitigated disaster''.

The letter, signed by the playwright Harold Pinter, actor Julie Christie, the Afro-Caribbean poet Benjamin Zephaniah and the prominent scientist Richard Dawkins among others, was delivered to Downing Street ahead of a public protest planned by the Stop the War coalition next week to coincide with the Labour Party's annual conference.

It said: "The war and occupation of Iraq have been an unmitigated disaster, both for the people of Iraq and Britain. Innocent Iraqis have lost their lives and still more innocents have been killed on our streets. ''

After delivering the letter, Ms Christie said the occupation was "encouraging terrorism''.

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