Alexander Izett, whose well-publicised 40-day hunger strike brought the issue to public attention, will testify on 12th July between 11.30am and 11.50am.  He is available from 8pm on Sunday evening for interviews.  Tel 07816 251377 

In 1991, prior to the Gulf War, Mr. Izett received nine vaccinations in 24 hours. He never went to the Gulf, but since 1993, aged 23, has suffered auto-immune osteoporosis, depression and stomach ulcers. He holds the multiple vaccinations directly responsible for these illnesses.

In May 2003, after five years of campaigning, Mr. Izett won a war pension tribunal ruling, which acknowledged the connection between the vaccinations and his ill health.  Despite this, the Ministry of Defense continues to deny the existence of Gulf War Syndrome.

In desperation Mr Izett went on hunger strike in protest at the treatment he and other veterans have suffered at the hands of the Ministry of Defense. His family, supporters and fellow veterans including US veteran Ron Kovic (of Born on the 4^th of July fame), urged him to suspend his hunger strike on the basis that because of his brave action, those suffering from Gulf War Syndrome could get justice.  Ill though he is, he has seized on the chance to come to London from Germany to testify at this Inquiry.  He said:

"Lord Morris assured me the Inquiry will be totally independent of the Ministry of Defense. If this is the case, then this is a step in the right direction. But I'm concerned that too many veterans don't know about it or don’t have the money to come or are too ill to travel.

“To ensure we get the whole truth, the Inquiry must:

• encourage veterans to come forward through the press and by writing to them directly;

• make funds available so that they can travel to testify; and

• hold other sessions of the Inquiry in the UK and abroad.

“Veterans' partners must be given a chance to testify, as well as carers who are not family.  We are told that a lot of Inquiry time is devoted to 'medical experts' but we veterans and our carers are the real experts about Gulf War Syndrome. It is outrageous that more time is given to medical experts than to veterans.  Once again we are sidelined from our own cause.  Is that what they think of soldiers, fighting machines without minds?

“They should be faced with our testimony every day so they are confronted by our illnesses and disabilities as well as our battle for justice.  Then the Inquiry may be kept on track.

"The Ministry of Defense experimented with us and we are paying the price: suicides, homelessness, family break-ups, imprisonment as well as life-threatening illnesses.  We demand justice.

“Crucially, no effort appears to have been made to ensure that Iraqi people, who for centuries on end will continue to live with the consequences of the war, including depleted uranium, be called to testify.”

Michael Kalmanovitz from Payday, a network of men which has co-ordinated international support for Mr Izett’s hunger strike, says:

“Mr Izett is to testify between 11.30 and 11.50am.  Are they joking? He will hardly have time to give his name address, never mind the history of his illnesses or his experience of trying to get justice. If he is not given more time we must assume this is one more cover up on behalf of the government.

“The government took the world to war on the basis of an enormous lie – Weapons of Mass Destruction -- and a complete disregard for human life – the lives of their own soldiers as well as of many thousands of Iraqis.  How can we trust the MoD not to lie about Gulf War Syndrome?

“Their lies are not a one-off, a 'mistake', it is deliberate policy to get out of paying, and to refuse political responsibility.  They want an army of killers whom they are ready to discard when they are too ill to fight.  The Inquiry is a visible sign that an army of veterans, their carers and campaigners for justice and against war are challenging their lies and brutality.

“This Inquiry is a victory for all of us who refuse the government’s disregard for human life.  Everyone affected, women, men and children, must be given a chance to tell the public what has been done behind their backs and expose what one veteran aptly described as 'corporate manslaughter' by the MoD". 

      The Inquiry will start on Monday 12th July at 10.30 am at 1 Abbey Gardens, Great College Street, London, SW1P 3SE near Westminster Abbey, nearest tube Westminster.  The inquiry website is www.lloyd-gwii.com.

      Other hearings, all in London, will be held on 19th (for veterans), 21st (for interest groups, i.e. veterans organizations) and the whole week starting on 26th July (for medical experts).  There will also be hearings in early August (dates to be announced).  Lord Lloyd's report is expected by the end of September.

Alexander Izett lives in Germany: 0049 170 803 1398

Payday, a multiracial, anti-war network of men working with the Global Women’s Strike which has co-ordinated international support for Mr Izett’s hunger strike.

London: Tel 020 7209 4751
Michael Kalmanovitz 07816 251377 or Giorgio Riva 0780 378 9699
Philadelphia: Eric Gjertsen Tel 215-848-1120

payday@paydaynet.org Website:www.refusingtokill.net

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