We don't want to die, but we know we are risking our lives, say human shields

A new batch of Western "human shields" will cross into Iraq today, as activists already inside the country position themselves at Iraqi sites to try to avert military strikes.

Fifteen from the first 200 volunteers began moving into a bunker at an electricity plant in southern Baghdad yesterday, although some questioned the choice of location after discovering that it was next to an army base. Speaking from behind a wall of sandbags at the Rasheed military base, an Iraqi official said: "Don't worry, it is a small army camp.''

Before their departure, the latest group declared that they were reconciled to die in their protests against the looming war. The group of 25, including Britons, will join international volunteers who they claim already number 15,000.

In the next 48 hours this contingent will begin to take up their positions in strategic locations where they might become targets of British and American warplanes.

Judith Empson, 52, from Shropshire, was confident that the Iraqi regime would not try to place them in undue danger. "I have very, very deep belief in the decency of the Iraqis. I don't think they are the kind of people who will exploit us by deliberately putting us somewhere where we can be killed."

Ms Empson, a researcher in economic and social affairs, continued: "I have been to Iraq before, three years ago, to see for myself what was going on there. Regime change should be left for the people of Iraq to decide without outside interference.Obviously none of us want to die, but having taken this step we must be prepared to face that possibility.''

Nathan Chapman, 20, from Norfolk, said he had discussed the dangers with his family before embarking on the journey. ''We get a great deal of cynicism from the media. But I think ordinary people understand and sympathise with what we are doing. If this means dying, then so be it.''

The group of volunteers already in Iraq is an international mix, with many from Britain and America. They insist that opinion polls show they are the ones who are in tune with the public in their countries and not President George Bush or Tony Blair.

The Australian government was also ignoring growing protest at home, according to Ruth Russell. "I am Australian and I can tell you that there is deep resentment back home about what is happening,'' she said yesterday. "I am a mother and certainly I am worried about dying.''

The human shields will initially stay at hotels provided for them by the Iraqi government, before deploying to various locations. One of the shields, Godfrey Meynell, an Old Etonian, appealed to the RAF not to bomb targets where he and other volunteers might be killed accidentally.

Mr Meynell, 68, a former diplomat with the Foreign Office, has agreed to move to the electricity plant. He said: "I do think if we have a large number of people at the site it will be very difficult for them to bomb. I am an old man and they [the RAF] know I am here. If they bomb this site, they will be deliberately targeting me as well.''

Another veteran Foreign Office civil servant among the human shields is Sue Darling, who said that the looming conflict "is not a computer game. War kills people, and this is something that needs to be said again and again."

The Iraqi government department looking after the human shields is headed by Dr Abdel al-Hashemi, a former ambassador to several Western European capitals. Yesterday in Amman, the volunteers were asked if they had qualms about dealing with people such as Mr Hashemi, who has been accused of playing a part in procuring weapons for the regime.

Ms Empson said: "We cannot choose who the Iraqis appoint for this role, all we can do is speak for ourselves. We are here for the people of Iraq and not its politics.''

Most volunteers said they wanted to protect the vulnerable and the young, and would like to be located at schools, orphanages and hospitals.

Some, though, will be based at water and electricity plants, which are likely bombing targets for the allies.

* Ten people were arrested yesterday after breaking into the US air base at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire during an anti-war demonstration, Andrew Johnson writes.

Dave Cockroft, one of the protest organisers, said that about 450 people had gathered outside the gates before they were pulled open and fences torn down in a "spontaneous" action.

A police spokesman said nine men and a woman had been arrested for offences of theft, criminal damage and aggravated trespass. He added that most of the protesters were peaceful and the demonstrators did not move far inside the base before being stopped.