CPTnet
April 16, 2003
IRAQ: CPTers return to Baghdad

Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) members Scott Kerr, 27, of Downers Grove,
Illinois, and Stewart Vriesinga, 46, of Lucknow, Ontario, returned today to
Baghdad to monitor events in the city following invasion by U.S. forces.

The two had been in Amman, Jordan, since April 1 when concerns about
increasingly tight resources and stricter limits on their work by Iraqi
authorities led CPT to leave Baghdad.

Kerr, in a call to CPT's Chicago office 9:30 a.m. EST, reported that gunfire
on the road from the Jordanian border was sporadic and distant. "There is a
very heavy military presence in the neighborhood of Baghdad where we are
staying," he said.

       In outlining the team's work before leaving Amman, Vriesinga said,
"We plan to renew contacts with our friends and neighbors in Baghdad, hear
their stories of the invasion and its aftermath, and hold prayer vigils at
military checkpoints and other areas of tension."

       The team is aware that power, water, food, and accommodation are
in short supply in the city. Communications will also be difficult because
of the power shortages and the destruction of the telephone system by U.S.
bombing. Kerr said Wednesday that phone service is still disrupted at
their hotel.

       CPT hopes to send additional team members to Baghdad within a few
days once this initial team gets established.

       CPT has maintained a continuous presence in Iraq from October, 2002
until April 1. CPT members still in Amman awaiting next steps are Jerry and
Sis Levin (Birmingham, AL) and Lisa Martens (Winnipeg, MB.)