The International Zone (formerly known as the Green Zone) is the heavily guarded area of closed-off streets in central Baghdad where US occupation authorities live and work. The Green Zone in the central city includes the main palaces of former President Saddam Hussein. The area houses the civilian ruling authority run by the Americans and British and the offices of major US consulting companies.
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The headquarters of Paul Bremer and those working on reconstructing Iraq is surrounded by a wall of reinforced and blast-proof concrete, and guarded by tanks and helicopters. The Green Zone -- also called "The Bubble" - is the hub of the vision for the New Iraq. It is almost self-sufficient, and staff working there can be treated in the compound's hospital or run safely in its grounds. When they go out, it is by armored car with an armed military escort.
The Convention Center is where the United States has set up headquarters, and the coalition press office is at the Baghdad Convention Center. The state-of-the-art hall is in the same Green Zone as the Republican Palace. It was once used by the fallen regime for conferences, is home to a highly visible collection of troops, some of whom live in an office that has been converted to barracks.
The Iraqi Governing Council is headquartered in the handsome marble building....
The Green Zone is defended with coils of razor wire, chain-link fences, earthen berms and armed checkpoints. The area is defended by M1 Abrams tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles and HUMVEEs with .50 caliber machine guns on top. The Green Zone appears under siege, with barriers, high concrete walls and checkpoints. US officials are rarely visible outside it, and rules for British personnel bar them from leaving it unless accompanied by four bodyguards and an armored vehicle.