UNICEF's Christmas appeals, Sir Alex Ferguson and gaping contradictions : Indybay

UNICEF's Christmas appeals, Sir Alex Ferguson and gaping contradictions

propaganda alert

compiled by Cem Ertür

27 December 2012

As the United Nations Security Council passes a resolution for the deployment of foreign troops in Mali [1] and the United States announces its plan to deploy troops to 35 African countries in 2013 [2], UNICEF and The Independent launch a campaign “to help child soldiers in Central African Republic”.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is promoting the UNICEF appeal.

Sir Alex Ferguson, the [Manchester] United manager, today appeals for fans of the club – which is said to have 75 million supporters worldwide – to make donations to this newspaper’s appeal for funds to help the leading children’s charity Unicef in its work negotiating the release of children under the control of rebel militias in the Central African Republic, one of the 10 poorest countries on the continent. [3]

Only three weeks ago, Mr Ferguson was busy presenting war medals to British soldiers who served in Afghanistan:

[1] Western Mail, 7 December 2012

[2] Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson presents a soldier from 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh with an Operational Service
Medal for Afghanistan, Chester Racecourse, Cheshire, 6 December 2012

Soldiers from the Royal Welsh regiment were presented with Afghanistan campaign medals by Sir Alex Ferguson at Chester Racecourse yesterday.

1st Battalion The Royal Welsh (1 R WELSH) returned from Operation HERRICK 16 in October, after a six-month tour of duty [in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province] [...]

Sir Alex [Ferguson] said [...]:

“I want to thank these lads for the service they've given our country without them Great Britain wouldn't be Great Britain. We all depend on them. I've got great respect for the Armed Forces.” [...]

Sir Alex said he has recently been involved in helping to raise funds for two charities which support the Armed Forces:

"I think we all owe them (the Armed Forces) a debt. There's a fantastic feel for all the troops from the whole of Britain." [4]

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War propaganda under the guise of humanitarian aid: UNICEF's Children of Syria Winter Crisis Appeal ad in a London Underground
train, December 2012 [5]

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notes:

[1] Mali new prey to West imperialist quest

by Finnian Cunningham, Press TV, 22 December 2012

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/12/22/279500/mali-new-prey-to-west-imperialist-quest/

[2] US deploying troops to 35 African countries

Russia Today, 24 December 2012

http://rt.com/usa/news/us-deploying-troops-order-749/

[3] Manchester United’s plea to free the children of war

by Paul Vallely, The Independent, 26 December 2012

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/manchester-uniteds-plea-to-free-the-children-of-war-8431211.html

[4] Sir Alex Ferguson presents Afghanistan medals

Ministry of Defence website, 7 December 2012

http://army-uk.info/news_detail.php?id=4774

[5] Syrian Human Rights Network calls on UNICEF to condemn armed groups' crimes against children in Syria

SANA, 11 December 2012

http://www.sana-syria.com/eng/21/2012/12/11/456765.htm

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from the archives:

A confused mind: Is Dame Helen Mirren for or against war?

by Cem Ertür, San Francisco Bay Area Independent Media Center, 19 December 2011

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/12/18/18703001.php

Britain's sports stars at the service of war propaganda

by Cem Ertür, San Francisco Bay Area Independent Media Center, 11 November 2011

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/11/11/18698944.php

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International | Anti-War