CPTnet
29 December 2005

IRAQ: The Green Prison

by Maxine Nash

It's now been a month since my friends were taken in Baghdad. We have no
news, but we aren't taking that as a bad sign. In fact, sometimes that's a
good sign. It means that those who have my friends may be thinking
carefully about what to do. I'd rather they think carefully and make the
right decision than rush into a bad one.

As a month has gone by, I think about what Tom, Norman, Jim and Harmeet
might be feeling or thinking at this point. What comes to me is that if I
were in their shoes I'd be feeling the loss of freedom acutely at this
stage. Even if they are being held in a palace with all the comforts of
home, it's still a prison if they do not have the freedom to make their
own choices.

I think about my friends in the Green Zone who work for the UN or
embassies. My friends call it the "green prison." They are surrounded by
concrete blast barriers and concertina wire, as well
as U.S. and Iraqi Armies. They have definite limits on their movement.
They aren't allowed to leave without security escorts that usually include
armed guards and armored cars or Humvees. Sometimes, they have to wear
flak jackets and helmets when they want to move around within the Green
Zone. To cheer them up, I joke with them about their choice of fashion to
go with flak jackets. They often need cheering up.

I, too, feel the loss of choice even living in the "Red Zone" of Baghdad.
I've always had to be boldly careful with my movements, but even more so
in the current situation. Yesterday I was feeling very confined, so when a
friend with a new motorcycle came by to visit and asked if I wanted a ride
I jumped at the chance (with the blessing of my teammates.)

In Baghdad, to see a woman on a motorcycle would like be like seeing
spaceships landing in the middle of Waukon, Iowa. So I put on a disguise
to look like a boy and off I went. It was an experience beyond words--the
sun on my face, the wind on my body and just the feeling of freedom was
worth every minute of risk I took to do it.

Today I'm praying for that kind of freedom for Tom, Jim, Norman, Harmeet,
all my friends in the Green Zone and all Iraqis. It's my hope that it will
come soon for all.