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Source: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/4005878
Iraq Sends Five Western Human Shields Home
(Reuters) Iraq ordered five human shields out of the country on Thursday after a dispute over where the Western peace activists should deploy to deter possible U.S. military strikes. According to Iraqi official Abdul-Razzaq al-Hashimi, the five had set themselves up as representatives of the group and had been "holding unnecessary meetings, wasting time, knocking on doors at midnight...(and) asking stupid questions." Former U.S. marine Ken O'Keefe, whose Human Shield Action Iraq group coordinated the departure of dozens of volunteers from London six weeks ago, was one of those ordered to leave. O'Keefe said Hashimi's decision would ensure that many other human shields would be leaving Baghdad too. Dozens have left Iraq, saying they had wanted to protect hospitals and schools but had been forced out to refineries, power plants, and water works.