Human Shields Chicken Out

"Almost all the first British 'human shields' to go to Iraq were on their way home

yesterday after deciding that their much-heralded task is now too dangerous. . . . Nine

out of the 11 activists decided to pull out after being given an ultimatum by Iraqi

officials yesterday to station themselves at targets likely to be bombed in the war or

leave the country. . . . Many shields had earlier asked to be stationed at sites such as

schools, hospitals or orphanages, but Iraqi officials said there was little point in

guarding low-risk targets in any aerial assault."

- London Sunday Telegraph, 3/2/03