Interview with Iraqis this AM on BBC World Today ...the real deal

[Gloria]

Caught part of an interview with two young men, both science majors who had switched over to journalism. The main topic of their concern was the security situation. Both are afraid to go out at night. They used to go to parties and cafes but now they are afraid even when they go to work during the day. The one goes straight home to his family; the other has a girlfriend who he says he'd love to be able to stroll down the street with...but can't any more. During the day, on the way to work, one said they will joke about being bombed...it is a nervous joking. One described how he went past a bomb area and how he saw pieces of bodies all around. They are hesitant to use their own cars...they go by taxi or walk. But they are still very afraid.
They figured things would be bad for a few months, but now after 9 months it's worse. No electricity, no fuel, etc.

Both agreed the Saddam capture means nothing. One said that things were better under Saddam. He had 3 family members arrested, but at least, he said, you could bribe someone to get them out. He said now, people are given numbers and treated "like cows." There is less freedom on the streets...barbed wire all over, streets blocked, you are told where you can go. Both agreed..."we live in a war zone."

They were also very vocal about who had put Saddam in place---the US.

As for the Governing Council....they were asked about the transition into "democracy." They both were skeptical, didn't believe it would happen. One said the Governing Council is doing NOTHING (direct quote). He said if you go and try to talk tothem, "you find two guys there. The rest are out of the country. How can you run a country from outside the country?"

It was really interesting to hear this bright, articulate young men discussing the real situation there.

[TeeYiYi]

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