Dave's Big Issue		Human shield in dash for safety Anti-war campaigners flee Iraq in terror after Saddam shows his hand Brendan Montague Monday, March 3, 2003 The Lincolnshire Echo FRIGHTENED British members of Iraq's human shield have fled Baghdad amid fears that they were about to be taken hostage. Former college lecturer Dave Howarth, from Lincoln, claimed he and fellow human shields were willing to die helping protect Iraq from Allied bombs. Now it is understood the former Big Issue seller left Baghdad on Saturday night in a taxi, heading for the Jordanian border. British human shields travelled to Iraq last month, hoping to deploy themselves near hospitals, schools and other civilian sites. However, the Iraqi authorities told them to set up camp at hand picked oil refineries, power stations and water treatment plants. Many human shields feared they were being used by Saddam Hussein's regime to defend military installations. It emerged that the oil-burning power station where Mr Howarth (36) had been deployed was close to an Iraqi army base and near to a heavily guarded strategic road bridge over the River Tigris. On Saturday the human shields were given an ultimatum by their Iraqi minders: either bed down at the chosen targets or leave the country within 24 hours. Scores of frightened British peace campaigners decided to get out. Mr Howarth left the Iraqi capital at midnight on Saturday. It is not known when he will be back in Lincoln. A peace bus, driven by Lincoln-born Joe Letts with more than a dozen British anti-war campaigners on board, has also started the 3,500-mile journey back to Britain. Last week Mr Howarth claimed none of the human shields was being forced to stay at sites chosen by Iraqi officials. He boasted: "We've been given more access than United Nations weapons inspectors." However, Mr Howarth also revealed human shields had been told they might meet Saddam Hussein. He later admitted to the Echo: "I really don't want to die here. I'm thinking of getting out. I want to live and go on to protest against future wars." The Iraqi authorities spent thousands of pounds on food and hotels for the human shields when they arrived. Another peacenik, Godfrey Meynell (68), the former High Sheriff of Derbyshire, also left Baghdad at the weekend. At the end of last week he told the Echo: "I am not old enough and I am too happy with my family to die here." He also handed us a letter that explained why he had gone to Iraq. In it he wrote: "I believe America and Britain have no moral authority to attack Iraq and her battered people." Mr Meynell is now in the Syrian capital, Damascus. Other human shields voiced fears they may be held hostage by the Iraqi regime. Nathan Chapman (20), from King's Lynn, told the Echo: "I am going to hire a car and drive to the border. A lot of what we have been told does not add up. I just hope I can make it home." It is thought most British human shields have now left Baghdad. Other peace campaigners, from America, Australia and France, have stayed. Today Ahmed Jasen, at the Zahrat Al-Khaleej Apartments in Baghdad where human shields were staying last week, said the remaining British volunteers had just left and would be "going to another place". What do you think? Write to Your View, Lincolnshire Echo, Brayford Wharf East, Lincoln LN5 7AT. Or email yourview@ lincolnshireecho.co.uk.