[Baghdad Journal] Preparing to Leave (March 12)

[Wade Hudson]

Preparing to Leave (March 12)

by Wade Hudson


After breakfast, we send four representatives to the Iraqi embassy on what
we assume would be another routine appearance: the old squeaky-wheel
strategy. Sure enough, just when we give up expectations, the magic fax
appears, as if out of thin air. We joke afterwards that our good fortune
was due to the fact that Zehira Houfani, an Algerian member of our team
who speaks Arabic, participated in the expedition this time. She did
strike up a strong rapport with the official at the visa window. But that
confluence of factors was probably just coincidence. Regardless, we
quietly celebrate, and more than a few tears well up around the circle.

Much to our regret, however, two of our original team, who write regularly
for Counterpunch, had already been told that they would not be approved,
probably because they worked as analysts for the CIA decades ago. And one
of our team, Jooneed Jeeroburkhan, who writes for La Presse in Montreal,
left for Baghdad yesterday using a visa that he had obtained as a
journalist. So our number is now down to seven.

Yesterday, Robert Turcotte, a member of our team from Montreal, spoke by
phone with Lisa, also from Montreal, who has been in Baghdad with IPT for
several weeks. Lisa reported that nineteen IPT members were in Baghdad
yesterday. The tension in the air, both among locals and internationals,
has increased markedly in the past week or so. All of the embassies in
Baghdad are empty and all U.N. personnel other than the inspectors have
left.

The Iraqi government is now issuing visas for no more than three days at a
time, so Kathy is required to spend lots of time getting visa renewals.
(My impression is that because the government knows and trusts Kathy, she
must be the one to handle visa approvals.) The Human Shields that are
still there obtain their visas from a department other than the one with
which we deal. Apparently, it's much easier for them to get visas, but
they must go where they are told or they are forced to leave the country.
The government has been pressuring IPT to serve as shields, but IPT has
refused to do so.

Later in the day, six of us meet with Elaine Martinez, a senior citizen
and an IPT member who left Baghdad several days ago after being there one
month and is now headed back home, stuck in Amman trying to get a flight.
Her first week there, she participated in a vigil across from the U.N.
headquarters, where IPT strung banners from palm tree to palm tree with
statements like "Inspections Yes. Invasion No." She tells us that once one
of the inspectors came over and expressed thanks for their efforts.

After the vigil, they would visit various infrastructure sites that will
be likely targets of bombing and strung banners that made declarations
like, "To bomb this site is a war crime." Many of these sites remain
damaged from the 1991 war. On the day that she left, the banner that they
hung at a hospital was still up.

The following week, they went to do the vigil again, but some young Saddam
Hussein supporters set up in front (with large posters of Hussein, I
believe), so they left. After that, opportunities for public
demonstrations seemed more limited, so Elaine started going to the
Children 's Hospital that cares for cancer victims. When the hospital
would run out of medicine, due to the sanctions, they would often have to
send children home.

The team then concentrated on putting together survival kits for each
person in case of war-time privation. One night there were rumors that the
war would start that night, so they finished the job quickly.

Other team members engaged in activities such as visiting an orphanage,
hospitals, sending emails to support networks, picking up news reports,
and participating in meetings. The team as a whole meets about every other
day, as does each affinity group. Meetings sometimes involve going over
the same territory over and over, but are generally cordial.

At some point, Elaine reported, the Human Shields and the government
disagreed about where the shields would stay, and five leaders were told
to leave. The government had not pressured IPT to be shields during her
stay, but they very well could have since then, as far as Elaine knows.

The length of the visas had already been shortened while she was there.
One person was given a one-day visa when it was renewed.

She anticipates that there won't be much to do during a war, other than
perhaps helping to distribute food and water, maybe with CARE. Some
families had invited IPT to stay with them, but IPT decided that it might
jeopardize the families, especially in the event of civil war. As of her
departure, the team still had not decided whether to stay in the basement
of the El Fanar Hotel if war breaks out.

The Iraqi people were very friendly and very open to us and understand our
purpose, Elaine said. The sidewalks are very uneven and often in a state
of disrepair, with garbage strewn about and covered with dirt and dust,
partly because it is in a desert climate.

IPT members generally feel safe, though one man was accosted by boys once,
and two guys had their watches stolen, which they managed to get back
(perhaps because Kathy Kelly knew the family).

Some sites to see include a tall tower that offers a view of the entire
city, a large number of memorials, a lively market, and an arts and crafts
shop. The value of their money has depreciated so drastically, one must
carry around large wads of money. Beggars and kids hustling shoe shines
are everywhere. It's hard to know what to do, because if you start, there
will be ten more.

The greatest need with which Elaine is familiar is the need for
chemotherapy medicines. She considers it difficult to offer any direct
help to average kids because to do so would attract an army.

Following these reports, Elaine introduces us to Um Hayder, and her
seven-year-old son, Moustaffa, a charming, lively shy young man who
resisted being photographed. On January 25, 1999, a U.S. missile fell by
mistake on their home in Basra. She lost one son and Moustaffa lost two
fingers on his left hand. In addition, a piece of the missile pierced his
liver, which made him sick for some time, and his whole body is filled
with various pieces of metal from the missile. IPT is helping the family
go to the States for additional treatment.

Later in the day, some of us go shopping for items that need to be
purchased and some of us work on sending a press release to Amman outlets
concerning our planned departure for early the next morning. But the time
difference with Chicago prevents gaining approval in time, so I take a
nap.

I wake up to hear a report from one of our team that the U.S. and Britain
have agreed to giving Iraq a 45-day deadline to disarm, which I mention to
Mary, and we head off to the Internet café to confirm the report, excited
about the prospects for actually avoiding war. Alas, Google News directs
us to stories that contradict that report. It seems the U.S. is strongly
rejecting a 45-day compromise, and is only willing to talk about an
extension of a few days.

The emotional roller coaster continues. Probably only a foretaste of what
we are in for in the days and weeks ahead.