this week i was scheduled to spend four days in a province north of baghdad with a reporter to highlight the work of one of our provincial reconstruction teams (prt). the prt we visited is just outside of tikrit and they are doing some amazing work.
quite by the luck of the draw a great team of civilian and military professionals have come together to support and advise iraqis as they build their new democracy and stabilize their cities. while the country has a long way to go; the members of the prt work long hours each day of the week, meeting with iraqi elected officials, iraqi judges, health care providers, all in an effort to provide iraqis with the basis from which they can decided how to manage their institutions and government.
while some of this work is dangerous for americans it is more so for iraqis. and this is exactly what motivates the staff to keep working; they find inspiration in the dedication of iraqis. these are people that face kidnapping or death simply for meeting with americans but these streets belong to them and they have a vision of a better future and are sacrificing themselves to realize the vision.
but the schedule is often not your own and we had to head back to baghdad early. wednesday in baghdad the fiance of another reporter, an american working to promote democracy, was killed when her car was ambushed. as the reporter traveling with me was the bureau chief, he had to get back to take care of his team. due to the loss it has been a tough few days for many who both knew the woman and her fiance well.
this is iraq. great potential and dedicated workers forced to contend with unfair and meaningless death and murder. this is what will have to change if iraq is to see a new day of freedom and democracy.
quite by the luck of the draw a great team of civilian and military professionals have come together to support and advise iraqis as they build their new democracy and stabilize their cities. while the country has a long way to go; the members of the prt work long hours each day of the week, meeting with iraqi elected officials, iraqi judges, health care providers, all in an effort to provide iraqis with the basis from which they can decided how to manage their institutions and government.
while some of this work is dangerous for americans it is more so for iraqis. and this is exactly what motivates the staff to keep working; they find inspiration in the dedication of iraqis. these are people that face kidnapping or death simply for meeting with americans but these streets belong to them and they have a vision of a better future and are sacrificing themselves to realize the vision.
but the schedule is often not your own and we had to head back to baghdad early. wednesday in baghdad the fiance of another reporter, an american working to promote democracy, was killed when her car was ambushed. as the reporter traveling with me was the bureau chief, he had to get back to take care of his team. due to the loss it has been a tough few days for many who both knew the woman and her fiance well.
this is iraq. great potential and dedicated workers forced to contend with unfair and meaningless death and murder. this is what will have to change if iraq is to see a new day of freedom and democracy.
