Cyndi Scarlett in Baghdad

Many have written asking about the bombing in the IZ and whether or not I’m OK so I thought I’d update everyone about the situation.

While the Convention Center is technically in the IZ, it sits on the outskirts and really is in what might be better described as a “yellow zone” - between the IZ or “green zone” and the “red zone”.  However, you likely will never hear it described this way.

The Convention Center is surrounded by “T” walls - and has security on all sides that one has to go through before entering the complex.  The side closest to the “red zone” is manned by the Iraqi Police and it is my understanding that they are in charge of the security there - and actually the security going in and out of the actual convention center itself.

The side of the Convention Center closest to the IZ or “green zone” is manned by the coalition forces with oversight by the US forces.  Security going into the Convention Center from the IZ side is tight - but I believe an assumption is made that full security screenings took place on anyone that came into the IZ from another check point in the red zone and therefore, security is while not lax, is less.

LEAVING the Convention Center however and coming back into the IZ can take up to three hours.  Security is VERY tight.  Why?  Because we know that folks could have come from the Iraqi, red zone side of the entrance into the Center, through the Center and then want access to the inside wire or IZ “green zone” from this yellow zone.  We know that the Iraqis have control of the other checkpoints - and that they may be willing to let people in, as happened yesterday, that want to do damage to us or others.

Initial reports would indicate that this was an “inside” job and the homicide bomber was a member of the security detail of one of the Sunni Member’s of Parliament.  While he would have had the correct ID to get into the building, he clearly had help to pass through the Iraqi security system wearing a suicide vest.  It’s doubtful he would have gotten into the IZ wearing this as there are three rings of security getting in here, none of them Iraqi.

If this all sounds confusing, my apologies!  Nothing is simple here and I’m still trying to figure stuff out eight months later.  I say all of this to try and ease your minds that someone didn’t actually get into the green zone or IZ with explosives.  They got close.  Will they keep trying?  Absolutely.  Is the army ever vigilent?  Absolutely.  Security has been stepped up hugely around here which is frustrating until something like this happens and we realize why everyone is checked all the time, everywhere.  Even me, who is blue-eyed and blond headed and speaks with an obvious Yank accent isn’t taken at face value.  It’s part of living here.  It’s frustrating.  It can make life and getting around a challenge sometimes.  It can make doing our work a challenge because everything slows down. I undertand it. Rather be safe than sorry.

I’m fine.  I have a wonderful personal security detail who take very good of us.  They have intel reports daily and are very proactive.  I go no where without my PSD.  Don’t worry about me.  I’m not!

Blessings to all of you!

Growing up in South Africa,  I had an “uncle” named Rex Emslie.  He was a funny guy, long gone now but remembered very fondly.   When told something news-worthy or sort of unbelievable, he’d exclaim in a loud voice “Go Oooooon”  It was sort of his version of “really”? or “tell me more”  or “nooooooo way”!

I have been reminded of him several times this past week for some reason.  We have a team visiting Iraq carrying out an evaluation of a large national program.  One has to wonder what people are thinking when they agree to come to probably the most dangerous country in the world right now - at least one actively at war.   The situation this past week has not been great here in Iraq with over 1,000 incidences reported country-wide.  An incidence would be some sort of insurgent attack - could be a car bomb, suicide bomb, improvised explosive device, death squads, rocket attacks - you get get the picture.  This is the sad reality in which we live every day.  You see it on the news - we and most of all the Iraqis, live with it.  There should be no doubt to anyone arriving here within less than an hour of being in the country that this is a country at war and there are active military operations on going.

Why then, would someone, who was well briefed before accepting the assignment and her arrival,  be in a constant state of anxiety when she hears gun fire - rockets falling - bombs exploding…. I have wanted to say numerous times this week “go on”  in true Rex Emslie fashion.   I find myself just having to laugh or I’d cry.  We have a job to do here - it’s not always pleasant - things are not always great - we are at war - but we have a job to do.  I guess in my impatience at feeling like I’m having to baby sit, I have to wonder when I became so jaded.  I almost don’t hear the sounds of war anymore.   A rocket has to fall near enough to shake the villa almost before I look up from my computer.   I wonder when that happened?  I guess it’s must be somewhat of a coping mechanism otherwise I guess it would be difficult to stay here for any length of time. 

So, while I’m finding myself a little impatient with one of my visitor’s who almost seems afraid of her own shadow,  it’s also served to wake me up that this is not a “normal” environment in which I’m living.  A good jolt of reality, no doubt!

Blessings to all

I’m well aware that what I’m going to write is going to make a lot of people reading this blog unhappy but I have to call it like I see it - and those of you who know me, know I always have.

You might be aware that Senator McCain in in country on a visit.  I’m not sure how many people caught him on CNN today - I admit I didn’t, I only heard about it.  But boy, have I heard about it.  Apparently, he told a group of reporters that the streets of Baghdad are safe and that General Patreus runs around the streets of Baghdad in a soft-skinned vehicle without any guards. 

I don’t know where Senator McCain got his information - but I’m here to tell you, the streets of Baghdad are certainly NOT safe - in fact if anything they are less safe than they were a month ago. There are a variety of reasons for that none of which I’m here to discuss in this blog. 

What I do want to discuss is why Senator McCain is putting out such bad information.  I wonder, does he really believe this?  Has he been briefed incorrectly?  Is there a caveat to what he’s saying that he didn’t give?  I was over at the Embassy this evening and couldn’t help but get caught up in his motorcade.  We are talking a HUGE amount of fire power - both civilian and military. They even had the Iraqi army involved - probably to show McCain’s contingent that Iraqis are involved in solving their problems, who knows.  And this is just to move the CODEL (Congressional Delegation, they’re always here - I wonder if they ever get anything done at home) - from one spot IN the IZ to another.  Probably one of the most fortified places in the world.  I can’t think of anywhere else I’ve ever lived or worked where I would have come across a huge Abrams tank with its barrel point directly at me - knowing if I moved another foot in my vehicle, I’d be blown away.  Yes, things are taken very seriously here and those who don’t often end up dead.  I tend to get very, very serious when I’m out.  Never, ever relax.

So - perhaps some of you caught McCain’s press conference from Baghdad.  I might suggest that no matter how much you like and admire the man - and how much you think he might be a great president, please don’t take his words at face  value.  If you have any questions, please let me know.  I’ll try my best to answer them.   I don’t have a bone to pick with him - or any of the cadidates right now.  I personally wish they’d just be quiet… this is going to be SUCH a long election.  

We were all laughing over at the palace wondering who McCain has been talking to - or what dope he’s been smoking.  I’m not sure why politicians have this abilitiy to spin the truth to make it sound OK for those of us who don’t know any better.  And for those of us who do?  Well, it simply opens up a huge question mark in my mind

Please excuse  my politicizing…. someone though needs to stand up and say what is.  I’m not there yet - but I’m getting close.

Blessings to all!