What its actually like
Forget the photo-op Bush visit to Iraq and the rosy glow of turning yet another corner in the war on terra, and read this:
One employee asked us to explore getting her press credentials because guards had held her embassy badge up and proclaimed loudly to nearby passers-by ‘Embassy’ as she entered. Such information is a death sentence if overheard by the wrong people.
Supervising a Staff At High Risk
- (SBU) employees all share a common tale their lives: of nine employees in March, only four had family members who knew they worked at the embassy. That makes it difficult for them, and for us. Iraqi colleagues called after hours often speak Arabic as an indication they cannot speak openly in English.
</i>
Ok, this is from AMERICANS working in the Green Zone. Iraq is fast becoming a failed state, just like Afghanistan, and our people there are increasingly at risk.
