Your Voice in a World where Zionism, Steel, and Fire, have Turned Justice Mute

 

 

The *FREE ARAB VOICE*
May 4, 1998

What follows is a message from the Jordanian opposition leader Laith
Shubailatt to the readers of the Free Arab Voice:

Dear Friends,

I submitted a letter to the prime minister of Jordan concerning
intensive security surveillance of my house and neighborhood. Ever since
the government got news of my plan to go to the southern city of Ma'an,
several security measures were taken. Several cars surround me 24 hrs.
To make sure that I do not visit Ma'an, which still refuses to receive
any cabinet minister after the incidents last February, the government
has also installed at least twenty checkpoints on the highway to Ma'an.
No ID's are asked of travelers to Ma'an, but soldiers simply stick their
heads through windows to see who's inside!

Yesterday a group of Ma'anese called saying a delegation was to visit me
at 1600 hrs. As my telephone line is linked directly to a government
operation theatre room, orders were given to put Marj Al-Hamam, the
suburb I reside in, under siege with tens of checkpoints. The Ma'anese
were detected and ordered back, and were police-escorted IN CONVOY ALL
THE 220 kms back to Ma'an.

Still the Ma'anese refuse the pressures begging them to postpone
receiving me in Ma'an just 'a couple of weeks', until the conditions
there simmer down. But they respond that Layth is welcome any time, and
that he shall spend the night at the home of the martyr Mohammad
Al-Kateb.

The press is being clamped on and the newspapers put under the boots of
the security people. A complete blackout about any news concerning me
is still under observance.

This is democracy in Jordan! But your voice of protest will help things
change...

THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT WHILE IN PRISON AND NOW WHILE I AM
STRUGGLING THROUGH COURT. YESTERDAY THE DEFENCE HAS DECLINED FROM
SUBMITTING ANY DEFENCE BECAUSE THE EVIDENCE THAT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
HAD SUBMITTED IS ABSURD AND DOES NOT LINK THE SUSPECT (me) WITH THE
CHARGES. THE NEXT SITTING IS ON WEDNESDAY AND THE DEFENCE WILL CONCLUDE
ON MONDAY THE 4TH OF MAY. GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL.

regards
LAITH
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

To All Those of YOU Who Still Believe in Freedom, Democracy, and
Justice,

Laith Shubailatt is a brave Jordanian, Arab, and Islamic opposition
figure in Jordan whose support base spawns across ideological lines:
nationalists, secularists, Islamists, Christians, Palestinians,
Jordanians, and others are among his supporters.

He dared to defy a Jordanian government ban on peaceful demonstrations
protesting war against Iraq, and went to jail and is being subject to
harassment for that.

Below you'll find addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers, and emails that
you can contact on behalf of Laith.

                                     The Free Arab Voice

1) email: amnestyis@amnesty.org

2) Amnesty International   or    Amnesty International
   1 Easton Street               322 8th Avenue
   London WC1X 8DJ               New York, NY 10001
   England UK                    U.S.A
   Phone: 44 171 4135500         Phone:(212)807-8400
   fax:   44 171 9561157         fax:  (212)627-1451

3) John Shattuck
   Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
   U.S. Department of State
   fax: (202)647-9519

4) Embassy of Jordan
   3504 International Drive, NW
   Washington, DC 20008, USA
   Phone: (202)966 2664
   Fax:   (202)966 3110

Of course the best *YOU* can do is make copies and send to all of the
above...
###################################################################
The Free Arab Voice welcomes your comments and accepts submissions
at the email addresses below and above. We can help you publicize
your events and activities (on the house) if you support Arab and
Palestinian causes.

You can also use those same email addresses if you wish us to quit
sending our messages to you.

Also email us if interested in receiving back issues of the Free Arab
Voice, such as the Special Issue on Iraq, the Special Issue on Syria,
the Issue on the Jerusalem Bombing, or the Declaration of Principles
(DOP)...




  

    

    

    
FAV Editor: Ibrahim Alloush Editor@freearabvoice.org
Co-editors: Nabila Harb Harb@freearabvoice.org
  Muhammad Abu Nasr Nasr@freearabvoice.org
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