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I can't help but feel a twinge of journalistic envy reading this excellent interview from Fallujah. A key bit about the local mindset:

TCJ: How badly has the lack of political reconciliation harmed the efforts to pacify the Anbar Province and in particular Fallujah? It seems that there is still much animosity between Fallujah and Baghdad.

Lt. Col. Mullen: I cannot comment too much on the political situation in Baghdad, but the people here do not like the Iraqi Government and blame them for all the shortcomings in fuel, food and essential services. I will say also though that things are rarely as bad as the Iraqis make them out to be. They are prone to serious over exaggeration and always want to blame someone else. It is never their fault. For example, fuel arrives in the city, but to make extra money, the truck drivers sell it to "free enterprise" folks that then sell it curbside from plastic jugs - it is known as black market fuel where we come from. They charge much more than normal and keep the fuel from getting to the gas stations and city government in enough amounts to keep them open and operating. They also tap into electrical and water lines illegally to get better service, all of which seriously degrades the overall service provided. The city government is working on these things, but they all contribute to the problems Fallujah is having, and the Fallujans blame it all on the "Iranians" who make up the current government. In the general opinion here, only Sunni can run a country properly, as they have until the past few years. You also have a hard time convincing them that they are a minority. The things they come up with really are amazing at times. It is only a semi-literate society though so word of mouth, despite how illogical or ridiculous the rumor, has a big impact - especially if it is along the lines of what they want to believe.

It's interesting how badly this finger-pointing culture clashes with the "can-do" self-sufficiency inherent to Marines. But both sides plod on through. Read the rest - it's candid, great stuff.

(Via IP)

Posted by Bill at August 22, 2007 10:16 AM | TrackBack (0)

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Posted by: Brian H at August 24, 2007 12:36 AM