CPT Iraq Team Report May 19, 2003
The team chatted with U.S. Army Specialist Marcus at a checkpoint in
downtown Baghdad near the Al-Daar Hotel. He said that his unit is
responsible for a sector 4 km by 10 km in size and is still patrolled by
the same U.S. soldiers who arrived in early April. They don't know when
they will be relieved. Their unit is paying $4/day to hospital workers and
teachers in this sector. He said that the unit has not fired a single shot
during the occupation. Black market gasoline is a problem since supplies
are short and people are willing to pay up to 50c/litre instead of waiting
hours in line for the official supplies at 5c/litre. Marcus said that when
they come upon black marketeers, they slash their gas cans and seize their
money.
At a meeting with UNICEF representatives, the team heard their concerns
about large numbers of injuries from unexploded ordnance. They are now
distributing educational posters warning of the dangers. They also report
that diarrhoea is a real problem. Their most recent assessment says that 72
percent of children in Baghdad have suffered from it since April 1. They
also noted the security concerns of children travelling to school and
suggested a CPT accompaniment project.
Stewart Vriensinga tracked down the 11 year old shoeshine boy Shayef who
was reported arrested on May 12. The boy said that he had been robbed and
was fighting with the thief when he was arrested by U.S. troops. They gave
him crackers and released him after half an hour.
Electricity is still only available for two or three hours per day. About
one half of the shops are now open and there are fewer gunshots at night.
But good friends of CPT are reluctant to travel with team members saying,
"It is dangerous being seen on the streets with foreigners." Demonstrations
are now occurring in support of "good" Baath Party members who are now
being fired indiscriminately along with the "bad" Baathists.
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