ARBIL, Iraqi Kurdistan -- Sorry for the lack of updates yesterday. I was in interviews all day, and by the end of the day I could barely think straight, much less write. Plus, I needed a day off. However, I did get a good interview with the Iraqi Turkomen Front and will write up that account in the car.
Where are we going? Well, this morning, CNN International broadcast extraordinary footage from the outskirts of Tikrit, with no resistance, challenges or other military presence to the media presence. Along the side of the road, groups of fighting-age men walked, some with weapons, most without. None challenged the CNN crew.
Today, J. and I are heading to Kirkuk to get a read on the situation and possibly probe toward Tikrit. The northern route -- which we'll be taking -- is pretty heavily militarized but has been extensively hit by U.S. air strikes. It's also the region where Kevin Sites was captured briefly by Fedayeen Saddam. We'll have to look sharp to stay out of trouble if we do press on toward Saddam's stomping grounds. But I'll be honest: It may be too dicey and I may nix the plan if I'm not cool with it.
Please check out CNN. Brent Stadler and CNN convoy ran into some trouble after going through two deserted military bases outside of Tikrit. They then thought it safe to drive through checkpoint and into Tikrit. Big, big trouble after believing a school teacher that everything was fine in Tikrit and that surrender was being negotiated. Be very, very careful.
Yes, please be careful. CNN had to shoot their way out. Turkish journalists were shot at, Malaysian journalists kidnapped, then freed.
Listen to your heart and gut. Always go with those feelings.
Schulden Irak mogelijk 100 miljard dollar
13/4— CNN onder vuur in Tikrit
13/4— Adviseur Saddam geeft zich over aan soldaten VS
12/4— Saddam is schoppenaas in Irak-kaartspel
12/4— Britten willen patrouilleren in Basra met Irakezen
12/4— Actiegroep houdt legertrein VS tegen bij Sevenum
12/4— Amerikanen halen deurmat van Bush uit hotel
12/4— Ook Poetin wil rol voor VN in Irak
11/4— Chaos en anarchie overheersen in noordelijke steden Irak
11/4— ‘Broer Saddam dood’
11/4— Opnieuw diplomatieke rel Belgie en VS over Irak
11/4— Iraakse zelfmoordaanslag in centrum Bagdad
10/4— Koerdische troepen veroveren Kirkuk (video)
10/4— Documentaire Hoessein: vissen met een handgranaat (video)
10/4— Saddam Hussein valt symbolisch van zijn voetstuk (video)
9/4— Regime lijkt grip op Bagdad te zijn verloren (video)
9/4— Amerikanen trekken noordwesten van Bagdad binnen
9/4— Britten willen samen met sjeik Basra besturen
9/4— Oorlog kost Bush 120 keer zoveel als hulp
9/4— Hotel met journalisten in Bagdad geraakt (video)
OVERIG NIEUWS ( ELKE UUR WORDT HET
For me the reporting of this war has produced two highlights… John F. Burn’s account of the fall of Bagdad and Chris’s blog. They share the ability to make me feel like I have been transported to the scene… even better than TV because your mind is more engaged.
McLuhan was right, we are now in a global village dominated by various intensities of media. Blogs are the new cool media.
I was so moved I gave Chris money even though I have 4 kids in college… have you hit the PayPal button?? (Not a solicited ad ‘-)
Chris, by all means, stay safe. Not only has yours been the most reliable voice I’ve heard coming out of that country but, despite your self-professed bias, you’ve demonstrated an objectivity above and beyond that bias.
One thought that’s crossed my mind repeatedly: have the fedayeen and Republican Guard that ditched their uniforms and melted back into the populace been the first in line looting the spoils?
Despite the fact that I now expect Tikrit to fold, too, the blood ties with Hossein’s power circle remain strong enough that I expect lots of sniping as the final display of anger, and anyone American, British or Kurd remains at risk.
You don’t need to be the first; just continue being the best.
Wow, is that Dutch? or German? Whatever the case I’m surprised I can read it fairly. Of course, playing mix-and-match to known stories isn’t exactly ‘reading.’
Cheers Chris. Hey, when you get a chance, ask people there (esp. our soldiers) whether they think Syria is next and how that makes them feel. A few days ago I thought the idea that the Bush administration really saw Iraq as the first of many nations to ‘liberate’ was rubbish. Now I’m not so sure, and it’s frightening.
—Glen
Hi, Cowboy—
Kurds are saying the looters are fedayeen and RG units that are blending into the population, but I’ve not been able to get any data on that yet. I’ll see what I can find out on it.
Great site. I stumbled here from google. Keep up the great work!
Sitting stateside watching news unfold, it’s so easy to assume it is our right. The dangers enxountered by reporters to sate our appetites surely goes unappreciated. I hope to see more posts from you soon, and would enjoy reading more personal experiences.
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