Mom Vainly Tries to See U.S. Iraq Soldier Daughter

Reuters via Yahoo! News ^ | 12-05-03 | Michael Georgy

[Teacher317]

TIKRIT, Iraq (Reuters) - A peace activist accused the U.S. military on Friday of depriving her of the chance to visit her soldier daughter, telling her that the truck driver was on a mission.

But Lieutenant Colonel William MacDonald, spokesman for the U.S. Fourth Infantry Division in Tikrit, said he was trying to organize a meeting for Saturday.

Anabel Valencia said she had informed U.S. military officials that she would be at the gates of the base at noon to see 24-year-old Giselle. She arrived only to discover that her daughter had been sent on a mission to Baghdad.

"I have not seen her in three years, I don't know why they are doing this," said Valencia, standing outside a sprawling U.S. military base in Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s hometown.

"The last time we spoke she said 'I miss you and my father and sister. I want to come home for Christmas but I have to finish my mission'."

"I feel so bad. I am sad," said Valencia, who was accompanied by Medea Benjamin of Global Exchange, an anti-war human rights group.

Several parents of Americans serving in Iraq (news - web sites) have come to the country to visit their children, including ones that were killed in the war that toppled Saddam.

Their presence just outside the military complex clearly made U.S. troops nervous. One arrived with a sniffer dog and firmly told Valencia to keep a distance from the main checkpoint.

"Can I talk to her?" Valencia asked before being told that Giselle had been sent on a mission to Baghdad, where her brother is also serving in the U.S. Army.

Valencia and her party were told that Giselle would be back at five o'clock. But MacDonald contradicted that claim.

"This mission has been scheduled for quite a while and you know she is a soldier. She is out performing her duty," he said.

One soldier stood by and reminded everyone that "this is a war and soldiers are sent on missions."

Giselle had spoken to her mother highly of her tour of duty in Iraq.

When a group of U.S.-trained Iraqi policemen showed up, American soldiers loaded their weapons.

"The Americans asked us to come here to stop the demonstration," said Iraqi policeman Mohanan Taha.

Asked if protests were illegal in the new Iraq, he told reporters: "There are no human rights under the Americans. Nothing. It is all empty talk."

"We miss the days of Saddam," said Iraqi policeman Mohammed Shawki.

[Teacher317]

If my mom showed up at the gates of my brother's base, asking to see him, and whining when she could not because he was actually doing his duty... I think he would've spontaeously combusted out of embarassment.

[JennysCool]

I have no idea where to start; there's just too much insanity, drivel and propaganda in this one.

[Blood of Tyrants]

As would I.

[CFW]

"I have not seen her in three years, I don't know why they are doing this," said Valencia...

Something in this story smells.

[evolved_rage]

"I have not seen her in three years, I don't know why they are doing this," said Valencia,

Wow, her daughter must be a spy or something...Oh wait, the daughter just can't stand her mother....

[DC native]

She has not seen her daughter in three years? Could it be because she is an hysterical, 1960s burnout, professional "activist" and an embarrassment to her patriot daughter?

[Pikamax]

""The Americans asked us to come here to stop the demonstration," said Iraqi policeman Mohanan Taha.

Asked if protests were illegal in the new Iraq, he told reporters: "There are no human rights under the Americans. Nothing. It is all empty talk."

"We miss the days of Saddam," said Iraqi policeman Mohammed Shawki."


LOL and as for that mother, go home and stop being an embrassment to your daughter and your country.

[bethelgrad]

THis is crazy. She hadn't seen her in 3 years? Maybe there is a good reason her daughter takes leave somewhere other than where her mom is.

[Bob]

"I have not seen her in three years, I don't know why they are doing this," said Valencia...

Well, Valencia, she sure as he!! hasn't been in Iraq for three years and I'd bet dollars to donuts that she's had some leave over that time. Why don't you ask her why you haven't seen her in all that time?

[alnick]

Talk about irresponsible journalism!

[mountaineer]

This reminds me of the time my grandmother went to New Caledonia, demanding to see my father - then serving in the U.S. Navy - only to find his ship was out to sea, being bombed by kamikaze pilots. Wait, that couldn't have happened. Reasonable people do not go half way around the world to a war zone and expect to drop in on their children.

[Ronly Bonly Jones]

"Moooooooooooooom, you'rrrree embarrassing meeeee!"

[CzarNicky]

Wow the daughter had to go to Baghdad to escape this nut of a "peace activist" mother who brought the media with her. I would have done the same thing.

[JennysCool]

Good ol' Medea.

[Steel Wolf]

"I have not seen her in three years, I don't know why they are doing this," said Valencia, standing outside a sprawling U.S. military base in Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s hometown.

4th ID hasn't been in Iraq for three years. Mom picked a bad time, and a bad place, for a reunion.

Several parents of Americans serving in Iraq (news - web sites) have come to the country to visit their children, including ones that were killed in the war that toppled Saddam.

Huh?

Asked if protests were illegal in the new Iraq, he told reporters: "There are no human rights under the Americans. Nothing. It is all empty talk."

Change the word 'Americans' to 'Saddam'. This man just proved himself wrong.

[mikenola]

Giselle had spoken to her mother highly of her tour of duty in Iraq

huh??

[No Blue States]

""We miss the days of Saddam," said Iraqi policeman Mohammed Shawki."

Yeah there aint nothing like imprisoning children, running people through shredders, and creating mass graves of innocent people...those were the good old days mohammed.

You are fired, Iraq only needs sane cops. See you at the new Iraqi War crimes Tribunal, in cuff and shackles.

[madison10]

LOL Poor kid...she's probably hiding from her mother.

Seems as though the mother is a hippie throw-back & the daughter is a modern-day patriotic soldier. Must be rough on mom.

[agrace]

My grandparents and great aunt & uncle once drove from Pennsylvania to Alaska to drop in on my brother unannounced while he was stationed up there.

They thought the surprise would be neat.

[mountaineer]

At least he wasn't in a war zone at the time!