Steel, John Henry (Oral history)

British civilian organiser of international Gulf Peace Team in Iraq and Jordan, 1990-1991.

REEL 1: Aspects of period in GB, 1930-1990: attitude to pacifism; activities with League of Nations League during 1930s and CND during 1980s; military service during Second World War; role in formation of Gulf Peace Team (GPT), 10/1990; aims of GPT; decision to boycott Iraq following Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait, 2/Aug/1990; publicity and response to GPT; story of ending boycott on Iraq after receiving positive response from government; description of policy statement, membership and recruiting methods; story of seeking advice from veterans who fought in desert during Second World War; funding; selection of advance party of seven people; description of journey to Baghdad via Amman, Jordan, 11/1990. Aspects of period with international Gulf Peace Team in Iraq and Jordan, 11/1990-3/1991: description of arrival at World Peace and Friendship camp outside Baghdad; first contacts with Iraqis including Adnan Dawood. REEL 2 Continues: relations with Iraqi officials; story of first unsuccessful proposal for peace camp and subsequent agreement on suitable site; problem of attracting enough volunteers for camp; story of 30 volunteers setting up camp at Arar, 24/Dec/1990; media coverage including planting of Peace Tree and religious service; description of New Year’s Eve party in camp; story of reading out appeal to all military commanders at press conference; description of peace camp, organisation and living conditions; attitude to mixed sexes in tents. REEL 3 Continues: relations between sexes and different nationalities; use of English as common language; opinion of Iraqi guards; health situation and medical facilities; question of restricted movement outside camp; communications with outside world; reaction to bombing of Baghdad and outbreak of war; changes in camp following start of war; story about cultural evening organised by Peggy Preston; morale in camp and attitude to returning home; story about protesting over evacuation of camp, 1/1991; story of unsuccessful attempt to move camp nearer to border; description of journey to Baghdad and arrival at Al Rasheed Hotel; conditions in hotel; bomb damage and shelters; description of organised visits to see bomb damage and visit to milk factory wrongly identified as producing chemical weapons; reaction to bombing of civilian air raid shelter in Baghdad. REEL 4 Continues: further description of bomb damage; assessment of success of peace camp; attitude of Iraqis to peace campaigners; role and status within Gulf Peace Team; description of journey from Baghdad to Amman, Jordan, end 1/1991; reunion with Amman group; opinion of accommodation in hotel; arrangements for returning to GB; reasons for wanting to stay on in Jordan; attitude to GPT involvement with Palestinian issue; meetings with high ranking Jordanians including the Crown Prince; medical teams; role in sorting out finances; reaction to news of ceasefire; relations between Jordan and Iraq; work of GPT with Kurds; lifestyle in Islamic countries; role of GPT in rebuilding of Kabala Hospital. REEL 5 Continues: further comments on rebuilding of Kabala Hospital; description of peace walks from Jordan; relations with Israelis; nature of work in Jordan; opinion of success of peace camp; story of return to GB, 3/1991.Aspects of period in GB, 1991: size of GPT debt and problem of repayment; opinion of financial management of GPT and question of lifestyle of members; problem of individual payment for flights and expenses restricting GPT membership; description of arrival in GB and readjustment to normal life; further activities with peace movement; involvement in case of soldier Vic Williams. REEL 6 Continues: further comments on involvement with Vic Williams case including attending vigils; reason for conditional support for Vic Williams; attitude to conscientious objectors during Second World War; belief in use of non-violent action; reflections on period in peace camp.