Description
Object description
British civilian doctor with Gulf Peace Team in Jordan and Iraq, 1/1991-2/1991; served with International Study Group in Iraq, 3/1991-5/1991
Content description
REEL 1 Aspects of period as peace activist in GB, 1982-1990: activities with Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) and at Faslane Peace Camp; reaction to Falklands War, 4/1982-6/1982; work as junior hospital doctor; reason for wanting to join Gulf Peace Team, 1990; opinion of interview and selection process; reaction of family to joining Gulf Peace Team; attitude to pacifism; reaction to Coalition bombing of Iraq; opinion of Gulf Peace Team's knowledge of Middle East. Recollections of period as doctor with Gulf Peace Team in Al Judayyidah Peace Camp on Iraq/Saudi Arabia border, 5/1/1991-27/1/1991: journey through Jordan and Iraq and arrival at Al Judayyidah Peace Camp, 5/1/1991.
REEL 2 Continues: opinion of other members of Gulf Peace Team; problem of lack of training and advice; description of medical kit; opinion of older members of Gulf Peace Team; financial situation in Gulf Peace Team; opinion of organisation of camp; cultural differences between nationalities; amusing story of meeting about cats; question of non-English speakers in camp being disadvantaged; comparison of behaviour between different nationalities; attitude to sexual activity of couples in communal mixed tent and effect on Arab sensibilities; problem of lack of rules and regulations in camp; food situation.
REEL 3 Continues: story of being taught to make chapattis by Indians; cooking methods and sanitary arrangements; water situation and reaction of other camp members to chlorination system; clothing worn during cold nights; value of keeping cats in camp; reaction to onset of Gulf War and opinion of response from peace movement; relations with Iraqi guards; problem of not speaking Arabic; story about inappropriate singing on first night of Coalition air offensive; opinion of Pat Arrowsmith's idea of moving camp nearer to front line; attitude to leaving the camp; description of camp being evacuated, 27/1/1991.
REEL 4 Continues: resistance by some Gulf Peace Team members to evacuation of camp, 27/1/1991; attitude of Iraqis to evacuation of camp, 27/1/1991. Recollections of period as doctor with Gulf Peace Team in Iraq and Jordan, 1/1991-2/1991: arrival at Al Rasheed Hotel, Baghdad, Iraq; description of bomb damage and use of air raid shelters in hotel basement; meeting Adnan Dawood Salman from the Iraqi Government's Organisation of Peace, Friendship and Solidarity; visits to casualties of Coalition bombing in hospitals in Baghdad, Iraq; opinion of conditions and medical resources; reasons for wanting to stay in Baghdad, Iraq; journey from Baghdad, Iraq to Amman, Jordan, 31/1/1991; attitude to leaving Iraq; meeting with International Women of Amman; question of neutrality and pacifism; attitude of Arabs towards West.
REEL 5 Continues: assessment of period with Gulf Peace Team; comparison between Palestinians and Scots; attitude to suffering of civilians in war; opinion of Iraqi Army troops; living conditions for refugees on Jordanian border; reaction to bombing of Jordanian tanker; story of three days mourning in Jordan for victims of Amiriyah Shelter bombing in Baghdad, Iraq; attitude to ceasefire; story of abortive plan for peace camp on border with Israel; opinion of Jordanian media coverage of war; role of peace group in Jordan; opinion of Dr Eric Hoskins and Dr Detlef Enge-Bastien's relief work in Iraq. Aspects of period as civilian doctor with International Study Group in Iraq, 3/1991-5/1991: return to Baghdad, 19/3/1991; reflections on period in Jordan.
REEL 6 Continues: return to Baghdad with Dr Eric Hoskins and accommodation at Mansour Red Crescent Hospital, Baghdad; opinion of Algerian doctors and relief groups; description of touring hospitals and bombed areas in Baghdad, Iraq; story of meeting with Iraqi Government minister Riyadh al-Qaisi; opinion of relief workers; visit to milk factory suspected of being chemical weapons plant; opinion of treatment of Kurds and role of British Broadcasting Corportion; continuing support from Saddam Hussein during period in Iraq; opinion of Iraqi society; attitude to involvement of peace campaigners in other countries domestic affairs; attending Service of Thanksgiving in Glasgow Cathedral, GB, 1991.
