Call for US boycott over Iraq

Call for US boycott over Iraq

By Venkitesh Ramakrishnan
BBC correspondent in Thiruvananthapuram

As military commanders make final preparations for an invasion of Iraq, an international movement of health workers and social activists in south India plans a boycott of US goods.

The region has been hit by a fierce sandstorm

The People's Health Movement (PHM), has devised the plans in what it terms "a last bid to prevent the unjust aggression on millions of innocent people".

Dr PV Unnikrishnan, an activist with PHM, told the BBC the possible US-led war was essentially about profit and greed and that the PHM would focus on the economic arguments.

He said PHM would help give an additional thrust to the anti-war protests around the world.

Boycotted goods

Internationally, PHM activists are preparing a list of goods to be boycotted which would be announced within 24 hours.

The list is expected to include items like tobacco, beverages and cosmetics.

"PHM believes that by participating in this boycott campaign, everybody can contribute peacefully to the new thrust in the anti-war campaign," said Mr Unnikrishnan.

The PHM is one of the organisations behind the World Social Forum meetings.