Pull British troops out, say dead Fijian soldier's sisters

LONDON - The sisters of a Fijian soldier killed by the Taleban have called for British troops to be pulled out of Iraq and Afghanistan, as anti-war campaigners prepare for mass protests at the Labour Party's conference.

Ranger Anare Draiva, 27, was shot dead 10 days ago repelling an attack by the Taleban in Helmand, southern Afghanistan, becoming one of three Fijian-born British soldiers to have died in action this year.

Three of his sisters have now signed an anti-war petition organised by Military Families Against the War, set up last year by Rose Gentle and Reg Keys, which urges Prime Minister Tony Blair to withdraw British troops from both countries.

The campaigners are now preparing to stage a "peace camp" and a mass protest at Labour's annual conference in central Manchester, which starts in a fortnight, where they will launch a new anti-war party called Spectre to contest parliamentary seats held by pro-war ministers.

The Draiva family warned that other Fijians, who are among some 2000 highly regarded Fijian volunteers now in the British Army, could also be killed in the "war on terror". Several cousins are also joining up.

- INDEPENDENT