UK - MARINES BRING FREEDOM

Express & Echo News -- UK ^ | 3-26-03

[Oldeconomybuyer]

They lined the flooded streets of mud and waste, a thousand faces and smiles peering from every crevice, corner and crack in the wall.

These were scenes of joy and happiness as the Royal Marines entered the port with gifts to win the hearts and minds of the local people.

Grey-bearded men wore guarded smiles and children sprinted barefoot through stinking puddles to reach the British troops.

"We welcome you," shouted one man. "We welcome freedom."

Umm Qasr, on Iraq's southern coast, was once a thriving town, the largest port in a province known as the Venice of the East. Today it is a slum, a crumbling, featureless expanse of litter, dirt and desperate squalor.

"We have no electricity, no food, no water and no medicine," said Mohammed, 24. "You must stay, you must stay and help."

The women were wrapped in black chadoors, only their bright, dark eyes and grinning lips peeking through.

They waved, then blushed as troops waved back.

The children, clothed in a colourful, patterned mix of jumpers, shirts and jackets, reached fever pitch, hailing every uniformed man. "Mister, Mister" they yelled as they prodded the soldiers and told them their names.

Chasing the "Britani" they then turned their thumbs down and uttered the dangerous word, "Saddam". Ali, a 33-year-old with four brothers and a multitude of children grabbing up at his green jacket, said the troops had their support.

"Everyone here is one family and they need help," he said. "We all want to thank Mr Blair and Mr Bush for being brave men to destroy this regime. We are so happy, so happy."

Others were less forthcoming, warning danger still looms. Joseph, an Arabic interpreter attached to 42 Commando carrying out the aid mission, said: "Many of the older men are still worried. Time is of the essence - we need to get out there with them fast. They love us, but they are scared."

The interpreter explained many of the older men are qualified doctors and surgeons who cannot work under the regime because they are Shia Muslims.

Another tiny dark-haired girl beamed a smile as she ran towards a soldier to gather a parcel from a Marine. She wrapped it in her arms, barely able to link her hands around it, and the yellow glow of the parcel lit up her pale face. Perhaps in 30 years' time the little girl will remember the man with the gun and that bright yellow parcel as the beginning of a new Iraq.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Tue Mar 25, 4:10 PM ET

Iraqi children collect food parcels distributed by British Royal Marines, from 42 Commando, as they bring the first humanitarian aid to Umm Qasr, southern Iraq (news - web sites), Tuesday March 25 2003. The Marines entered the city on Monday and have been tasked to secure the port town so further aid can be delivered. (AP Photo Jon Mills, Pool)

 

 

	In this image from video, an Iraqi youth looks though the binoculars of a Royal Marines soldier's on the streets of Umm Qasr, Wednesday, March 26, 2003. The Royal Marines 42 Commando group secured the city and brought humanitarian aid to the southern Iraqi city. (AP Photo/POOL via APTN) - Mar 26 4:44 AM ET
	British Royal Marine gives sweets to Iraqi children(AFP/POOL/Jon Mills) - Mar 26 3:39 AM ET

[Types_with_Fist]

...then, of course, as the soldiers passed, the people broke out their AK47s and harassed the "imperialist dogs'" supply lines.

[Coop]

Oh, the horror! Look at the devastation these evil, unilateral cowboys have brought to the poor, defenseless Iraqi people! [sob]

[Coop]

...then, of course, as the soldiers passed, the people broke out their AK47s and harassed the "imperialist dogs'" supply lines.

You may find an occasional exception, but undoubtedly the AK-47 toters are soldiers hiding behind children and old women, emerging with white flags concealing their weapons.