US warns citizens to keep clear of Guantanamo protests

Written by: Andrew Stroehlein

11 Jan 2008 10:16:00 GMT

Copyright 2008 Reuters. All rights reserved.

I received a fairly disturbing message from the US Embassy in Brussels yesterday, a high-importance mass email warning all American citizens in Belgium not to go near a small Amnesty International demonstration that is happening this afternoon. It’s so unbelievable, I produce it here:

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[email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]

Sent: 10 January 2008 11:43

To: [email protected]

Subject: Warden Message

Importance: High

Warden Message

20080110 Warden Message – Demonstrations – January 10, 2008

Spontaneous demonstrations take place in Belgium from time to time in response to world events or local developments. We remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possible escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. American citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Upcoming demonstration information follows:

According to Belgian police, a demonstration is scheduled to take place on Friday, January 11, 2008 on rue Guimard, across from the U.S. Embassy, between 2:30 – 4:00 PM. The demonstration is being organized by Amnesty International to protest against Guantanamo prison. The demonstration will encompass approximately 100 protestors. American citizens are urged to avoid the area if possible and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. This Warden Message expires on January 11, 2008.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution and Consular Information Sheet for Belgium can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays)

The U.S. Embassy in Brussels can be reached at +32-2-508.21.11; the after hours emergency number is the same; the fax number is+32-2-513.04.09. The Embassy’s web site, which includes consular information and the most recent messages to the American community in Belgium, is found at http://brussels.usembassy.gov.

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It’s hard to identify the most absurd part of this. Is it the warning of a “spontaneous demonstration” that is planned ahead of time? Is it the idea that demonstrations occur spontaneously in Belgium, where nothing happens without dozens of meetings and extensive negotiations? Or is it that they are frightened of a small Amnesty International protest? Maybe it’s the “Importance: High” tag on the email that takes the cake?

My Belgian friends and colleagues are rightly offended. Belgium is one of the most peaceful countries in the world, ranked 11th in the Global Peace Index (compared to the US’s 96th place ranking). There hasn’t been a seriously violent demonstration here since probably the 1960s. It can be a bit dangerous crossing the streets in Brussels sometimes, but an Amnesty protest? Please. One friend asked if US Embassy staff in Brussels are now receiving danger pay for this difficult posting.

It is just incredible the US Embassy put this out at all. They are telling their own citizens to keep clear of a protest against Guantanamo, which is probably the most vivid symbol of the appalling disregard for human rights the US Administration has had since 9/11. And now we’re even told not to freely assemble to protest our government’s Constitution shredding? Though only half-American, I am completely embarrassed by this.

11 January marks the sixth anniversary of the first detainees being sent to Guantanamo, and demonstrations are happening outside other US embassies in other countries. If Belgium is anything to go by, all US embassies are urging US citizens not to join these protests.

Of course, consumed by primary fever, the US media are probably going to miss the Guantanamo anniversary altogether. Too bad. It’s a good opportunity to examine how conflict has been used to justify the serious erosion of human rights in recent years. The depressing thing is, developments have gone so far that the government can now put out a disturbingly absurd statement, and no one takes any notice because the disturbingly absurd has become commonplace.

Reuters and AlertNet are not responsible for the content of this article or for any external internet sites. The views expressed are the author’s alone.

http://www.alertnet.org/db/blogs/3159/2008/00/11-101609-1.htm

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http://www.impeachforpeacemarshall.org