CPTnet
September 22, 2004

IRAQ UPDATE: September 9-18, 2004

Thursday, September 9

Because of recent kidnappings, the team-- Matthew Chandler, Mabel Brunk and
David Milne--decided to ask Iraqi friends to buy groceries for them.

Friends visited and phoned to express concern for the team's safety.

Friday, September 10

At 10:30 a.m., the team heard an explosion and a jet flying overhead seconds
later.

The team phoned Iraqi friends to hear their opinions about safety and
e-mailed other CPT Iraq members on home leave to solicit their advice. A
friend from outside Baghdad offered his home as a refuge.

Saturday, September 11

The team agreed to observe the following security measures until Wednesday,
September 15: Stay in the apartment and open door only to friends; ask
friends to run errands; cancel outside appointments planned for the period;
maintain contact with partners and trusted friends for their advice.

Sunday, September 12

 The team heard explosions between 6:00 and 8:00 a.m. and heavy helicopter
traffic. They guessed the sounds came from mortar fire into the Green Zone,
where the U.S. military has its headquarters.

The team's translator went to the Ministry of Planning to work on residency
for Chandler and a visa for Tom Fox, who was scheduled to arrive soon.

Monday, September 13

The team worked in the office on computer projects and general organizing.

At 11:45 p.m. the landlord and guard opened the apartment door because they
smelled smoke. The team had left their electric hot pot plugged in and had
burned a small hole in the wooden table. They put out the small fire with
no trouble.

Tuesday, September 14

The translator completed CPT tasks at the Ministry of Planning and the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Baghdad was without electricity all day.

Friends visited in the evening and advised the team on security measures.

In the evening Milne did a live interview with National Public Radio of the
Tampa Bay, Florida station.

Wednesday, September 15

The team decided to continue staying indoors until September 21, except for
grocery shopping (in pairs) every other day and attending church services.
Team members also planned to make an appointment to accompany a partner to
visit Elio Tamburi, a human rights officer for the U.N. Assistance Mission
in Iraq. Otherwise, the team planned to work on organizing files and
completing their report on detainees.

Thursday, September 16

The translator visited the head of the Human Aid Society to learn about this
agency. Milne and the translator shopped for groceries.

In the evening, BBC news reported that militants had abducted three men from
their home in Baghdad. They were thought to be engineers for a contracting
company.

 The team re-evaluated the security situation. Milne decided to leave when
a flight was available on Saturday or later. Chandler decided to stay in
Iraq for the time being. Brunk decided to stay until the arrival of Fox on
September 23. The team canceled activities that required them to leave
their apartment.

Friday, September 17

Milne made a reservation to fly to Amman on Sunday, September 19.

The team sorted office files.

Saturday, September 18, 2004

Milne and the translator visited the Residency Department to obtain Milne's
exit visa.

At 10:05 a.m. the team heard an explosion. They later learned that it was
caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) that wrecked a car on a
street in CPT's neighborhood. The car, carrying security guards, was
following a car of foreign contractors, and a U. S. Army Humvee, neighbors
told them. One neighbor said the explosion killed one and injured two in the
targeted car. The injured went to the nearby hospital.

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