Iraqi Journalist Touring U.S. Dialogues with Americans About the Reality of Her Occupied Homeland

Interview with Nermin Al-Mufti, Iraqi journalist and historian, conducted by Scott Harris

In the face of increasing numbers of U.S. soldiers killed and wounded in Iraq, the Bush administration announced a plan to speed up the transition from American rule to an Iraqi provisional government. The policy reversal came after the destruction of four U.S. helicopters in recent weeks and the launch of American military operations to more aggressively attack Iraqi insurgents. The White House says it intends to hold elections in Iraq during the first half of 2004, while maintaining a large U.S. military occupation force in the country for the foreseeable future.

Meanwhile, international opposition to the U.S. occupation could be seen in the streets of London, where tens of thousands opposed to the war staged major protests against President Bush during his state visit to Britain. In Rome, thousands mourned the deaths of 19 Italian soldiers killed by a suicide bomb in Iraq. Illustrating the deep divisions in nations which have sent troops to aid the U.S. occupation was the resignation of an Italian counselor working with the U.S.-led administration in Baghdad, who criticized the Bush administration and called for a United Nations-led interim authority in Iraq.

Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Nermin Al-Mufti, an Iraqi journalist and historian who is currently touring the United States with scholar Amal Al-Khedairy to participate in a dialogue with Americans about the reality of life in Iraq. Al-Mufti, whose trip is being coordinated by the Fellowship of Reconciliation, discusses the issues most important to Iraqis and her impression of the Americans she met.

For more information on the Women of Iraq Tour, contact the Fellowship of Reconciliation by calling (845) 358-4601 or visit their website at www.forUSA.org

Related links:



"Colorful Cavalcade Protests Bush's Britain Visit," by Meg Clothier, Reuters, Nov. 19, 2003

"Bush Flies Into 'Fortress London'," by Simon Jeffery and Agencies, Guardian UK, Nov. 18, 2003

"Bush to Keep Distance from Protests on London Trip," by Reuters, Nov. 16, 2003

"Bush UK Visit Labelled a 'Selfish Stunt,'" IC Berkshire UK, Nov. 14, 2003

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...she's gonna be whining about it.

But I have to ask...how much journalistic freedom did she have in Iraq before the war?

I mean, freedom to write other than that which she was ordered to write by the regime.

In a nutshell, Ms. Al-Mufti, you're welcome.

Nonanalist acts like as if the people of Iraq had just have Saddam to contend with and not

10 years of UN sanctions which arguably crippled the country as much if not more than his

dictatorship, resulting in the deaths of 50,000 civilians, including women and children. But

yet he and b(ULL)sh(it) continue to harp on the "they didn't have freedom before the invasion"

mentality. How do you define freedom in the Muslim world. Are people in Saudi Arabia

free? Are Palestinians free? Get a clue.

Funny how nonanalist guesses that this women will "whine" about conditions in Iraq. Well

what do you want her to do, cheer over a destroyed infrastructure, a looted culture, and the

murder of innocent civilians by an occupying army. And yet I'm sure analist and the other

neo-con ilk whine forever about tired-ass 9-11 (boo hoo hoo, whine whine whine) which

your selected president allowed to happen while he read a childrens book and failed to

scramble F16's to intercept the planes.

Wow! Nice "Angry Left" puff piece. Seething hatred with a big spoonful of incoherent drivel coupled with inaccurate blather. You're on a roll today.

Stick around. You could become the "EV Featured Idiot of the Day". All left-wingers and anarchist are automatically eligible.

What media do you watch exactly? It would seem by your statements that you have only been reading far too much Indymedia.org, Rense.com, whatreallyhappened.com, The National Inquirer, and The Guardian.

Probably the only news you ever gleen comes off the twisted internet web pages of so-called "alternative news" leftist yuck-rags.

Do yourself a favor and turn on some good old Fox News. You'll be amazed to find out that we "neocons" haven't been whining about 9-11. No, nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, we have been taking solid action since that tragic day. We've freed two countries and counting since 9-11.

So pull your ass out from under that rock, and get with program, buddy.

Are you still banging on about the sanctions killing Iraqi children?

How many times do you have to have it pointed out to you: Saddam built palaces while his people starved. Seems like he could have spent less on architecture and more on lunch for everybody. Duh.

"How do you define freedom in the Muslim world."

I define it as "damn near impossible when sharia law rules." Get a clue yourself; you seem to be several short.

Yes, I expect her to whine (just like you are), because if she weren't she wouldn't be featured on a radio show that promotes activism. If she thought the invasion was swell and is grateful to the coalition, you'd never hear from her on BTL.

As for the rest of your drivel, I suggest, as did Max, that you add a little reality to your media intake. You seem to be a little short on that, too.

Usually the moronic IMC "trolls" as Sheepdog justifiably calls them try to

ignore my responses to their blather. But this time I get three responses.

Wow, I must have touched a nerve with the idiot posse.

My name refers to the fact that I do watch the mainstream media and critically

analyze the way it misrepresents and distorts current issues. The IMC is

plagued by misinformed neo-cons who depend on CNN and FOXNEWS (which,

by the way, has been proven to make you even more ignorant of current events

as evidenced by the morons). Personally, I don't prefer to read The NATION

(white liberal rag headed by poseur progressives like David Corn and

Marc Cooper). The Guardian is ok in the sense that it does what newspaper

journalists are supposed to do, ask prying questions into what the government is

doing, an idea thats been lost among US publications with their corporate

agendas. Counterpunch.org is really good, probably better than the IMC when

it comes to presenting progressive perspectives.

I suppose the morons would prefer I read the National Review and other

right-wing rags that just jack-off the neo-cons in their confused sense of

patriotism and white entitlement. Get a clue guys, but thanks for the comments.

When ya'll grow a conscience that allows you to look beyond a right-wing agenda,

then we'll all be happier.

Peace.

"Wow, I must have touched a nerve"

Actually, no. Often we trolls just post stuff to get you whackos yapping so we can sit back and have a laugh. You took the bait. We knew you would. Good job!

...idiots are easily amused...

...0 EV points.....1000 SV points...

You are not qualified to award points of any kind.

Except, of course, the point on your head.

And you get to keep that one.

"When ya'll grow a conscience that allows you to look beyond a right-wing agenda,

then we'll all be happier."

Are you so insecure that your happiness depends on what I believe?

How sad for you.