Iraqi, arrested by US, relates an amazing dialogue with one Marine [View All]

This dialogue is reported by Qaasem, a 20-year-old correspondent for Alive in Baghdad as he relates his arrest on September 26, when his neighborhood was the site of a number of sniper attacks on US forces. Below, he's just been taken on foot to a house next to the neighborhood mosque (Qasem is blindfolded, but he can tell where he is by the sounds and following the map in his head). The whole story makes for fascinating, if disturbing reading. One on ones like this can't be helping the US's position with the people of Iraq:



http://aliveinbaghdad.org/2006/10/18/qasems-first-day-of-arrest-continued/

it is about 3:30 am …I was sitting on the ground ….and hearing sound of big generator …..very noisy

One marine talked to me

“You speak English …right ??’”

“Yes” I said ….after he made me notice that he talking with me by putting his finger on my head

” I like to talk with you …it is the first time for me to meet a prisoner who can speak English” he said ……I kept silent.

“Why are your people killing Americans …we came here to make Iraq a good civilized country? ” he said.

“I did not see any civilized thing happened in Iraq made by Americans …..tell me why you came to Iraq …sure you have a reason to fight in Iraq and risk your life and use your guns??” I asked him.

“Your people started the killing …when they helped the terrorists to attack the twin towers in New York on 9 /11 …..many civilian Americans were killed because of that ….we were scared ..so that we have to stop those bad terrorists before they do it again ” he answered.

“But Iraq had no relation with this at all ” I said

“No ..you’re wrong …Iraqis helped the terrorists ….we know this ..so then we came here”

“Sorry ..I have to say that you’re wrong ……your Congress made sure that you have wrong information ..and Iraq has no bonds with Terrorists crimes …..” I said

“Well ….my job is a soldier ..I am not a politician …my job is killing and arresting terrorists that are hiding in your town” he said

“Do you think I am terrorist ??” I asked him

“Well …military intelligence will make sure ….I do not know …” he said

“Why Americans wasting Billions in Iraq to make enemies ….they can use them to make friends and peace ??” I asked him

“No … we have friends in Iraq ….our friends are giving us the needed information that help to arrest the bad people such as you” he said

“Me ??!! ….You just said now that you are not sure if I bad or not …but you seems sure now ” I said with surprise

“I am sure that you are here for a real reason ” he said

“I will tell the main reason ….it is because marines found a computer in my house and because I write blogs in english for peaceful Americans ” I said

“So ..you have ability to make websites for terrorists …that makes you more suspected ” he said

“What is your job?? ” he asked me

” I was engineer …now I am jobless ” I said

“Wow ….what kind of engineering work ?? ” he asked

“Basically I am a mechanical engineer ” I answered

“That means you can make bombs and improve guns for terrorists …yes ..sure you did so” he said

“Hey hey …wait….you judge me because I am mechanical engineer ?? what you will think if you knew that I worked in construction field ..and I have good experience in civil engineering and buildings ??” I said

“That’s more worse ….you can make maps of the streets and the places and give it to the terrorists ” he said

“So engineer is very suspected person for marines ?? ” I asked him

“Mostly yes ….they can do many things that help terrorists ” he said

“Ok …I have friend whom arrested few months ago ……he is doctor…..do suspect doctors too ” I asked him

“For sure….terrorists could be injured during fighting us ..and sure there are doctors who take care of them and provide them with medical help” he said

“Let me tell you this …..you suspect educated people ….and arrest them because they are doctors or engineers …so, shall I believe that you will help Iraq to be civilized country ???!! ” I said

“You should believe this …..in your city there are terrorists ….and we are here to kill them …..yesterday, my friend was injured when we got mortar attacks here in this house ….and he lost his hand …..for sure there is a fucking Iraqi engineer drawing a map for terrorists and help them to attack us and cut my friend’s hand ……” he said ..he seems getting upset

“Now stop talking …..” he said to me ….