Jim Spiri in Iraq

What I saw is much more interesting than what
I may or may not have heard. The Wall Street Journal
"reporter" that was present seemed to be much more
interested in what he heard, I on the other hand had a
wonderful experience in what I saw. This is the fun
part.

On two occasions now, I have been approached by some
high ranking soldiers and asked, "why aren't you
taking any notes?" I could have told them that I have
a photographic memory, (which is why I am a
photographer), of I could have told them, "uh..I lost
my pen", or some other excuse that they might like
better. But the truth is much more enjoyable, and
that is what I told them. It is much more fun to
watch and observe. That is the picture I want to
convey today to the readers. It is also one of the
reasons I chose not to bring my camera on this event.

After having been here now for quite some time, and
all around me are reading this blog, they have come to
realize that what I am doing is quite different than
what anyone else in my position is doing. They also
know I'm enjoying every bit of it, but it does
intrigue folks to see the reporter from Wall Street
Journal taking notes and breathing down the backside
of Col. Twitty, while I'm sitting in the corner eyes
wide opened.

Today many Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police leaders had
what we in the states might call a, "power lunch".
It's not that important to discuss what they
discussed, for it is full of all kinds of details that
I'm sure the Wall Street Journal guy took down and
will probably tell the whole world, but what is
important is that they got together and worked some
issues out.

All this transpired while Col. Twitty and
his staff observed and interjected some advice only on
a few occasions. The more I get to know and watch
Col. Twitty, the more I've come to understand how
delicate and difficult a job he has and how diverse
his talents are.

He seemed to be like an "overseer"
at a church gathering. What I mean by that is he
watched, listened, frowned a few times, smiled more
than a few times, and then relaxed and enjoyed what
was transpiring before him. After all, he has been
tasked to making things work here in Ninevah province.
If for some reason, it does not work, it will not be
because he did not give 110%, for I am amazed that he
does not have any gray hair yet. But then again, he's
got a real short haircut, maybe when he lets it grow
out, it will look at the very least, salt and
peppered!

On one side of the horseshoe dais, were the Iraqi
police leaders. On the other side was the Iraqi Army
leaders. In the middle of the horseshoe, was Col.
Twitty, with the General of the IA here, on his left,
and the General of the IP here, on his right. Col.
Twitty opened the "chat" after all had something to
eat and laid out his ideas and goals for todays
discussion. Then, he sat back and let the leaders and
their subordinates discuss a variety of things.

The interpreter, whom I have seen a week or so back in
Rabia, was the most busy today, as he kept up with all
the discussions as it went back and forth and volumes
in voices increased, decreased, etc. All in all it
was most captivating to watch as I watched Iraqi men,
working out how to keep Mosul on the continued path to
progress. It's not easy, but it is working. I saw it
on all their faces.

There were times that these men, all of whom are
probably younger than myself, except for maybe a very
few, wrangle this issue, work that issue and hammer
out an agreement that all of them can work as one for
the security of their city, Mosul. There were times
that some had looks of despair in their eyes and
rested their heads on their hands with elbows on
table. There were other times that one of the smaller
ones in stature, but higher rank in authority stood up
and made his point, waving his hands and swaying his
counterparts to see it his way. It was better than
any city council meeting I had ever attended in small
town America.

The meeting then took a direction where all gathered
around a table that had some print outs on it, and one
by one they pointed at this and pointed at that, and
from a distance I continued to watch their faces.
Some of the older ones did most of the talking and
arrangements were coordinated. Many of the younger
officers watched as their leaders took charge. Col.
Twitty at one point sat half on and half off a long
table with all these Iraqi army and Police officers
gathered around him as they (the Iraqis) made all the
decisions. It was a good scene.

Then, as the meeting took a kind of break, and many
strolled over to get a coke or coffee that was set up
alongside the back wall, I decided to talk with one of
the younger Iraqi Army Majors. I have had lunch with
him before and he has become a cheerful friend to me.
His name is Alaa.

He is 30-years-old, and Kurdish, from the area called
Dahouk. It is in the region called Kurdistan. He is
about 5'9" tall, stocky, in pretty good shape, and has
a gleam about him that reminds me of one of my Italian
cousins in Genova, Italy. He speaks fairly good
English, and I just had to talk to him. When he saw
me, he gave me a big embrace, and those that had been
watching me and thinking I was just a bump on a log
sitting in the corner, now wondered in amazement at
what I was doing. I was just saying hello to a
friend.

And we are friends. I asked him how to spell his name
correctly and his age. We talked a little about how
he is doing and how things are going. Then I told him
that if I come back here in ten years, I expect to see
him in the seat where the general was sitting
currently, if the general retires. Alaa smiled and
thanked me. I was actually serious. For what I was
observing today at this "power lunch" was nothing
short of training those who now are young, to become
leaders here for tomorrow, as they mature. I would
not be surprised if one day, Alaa will be in that
position, and I would for sure come and have lunch with
him for "we are friends".

It is moment's like this that I realize that the
prices that have been paid, and they are extremely
high, do issue in results. There are many, many like
Alaa all across this country, that I have been
fortunate enough to meet. I have seen that to abandon
them now, would be disastrous. I was present during
this high level meeting today, and I learned much, as
I always do. I do not know the details that were
shown on this or that piece of paper, nor is it my
intention to know that.

Maybe the Wall Street Journal
guy there reporting for his paper needs to know that,
I'm not sure. But what I do know is what I've seen on
the faces of all those present. They have a
responsibility to their city, Mosul. And they have
taken up that task at our request. It is a difficult
task, but these are men of Iraq. They must do it, and
the soldiers of the Cav., who are teaching them, have
much at stake to lead them to succeed.

I have been wanting to find a river in the mountains
of Kurdistan that flows clear, clean water and has
fish in it lately. I am reminded of the saying, "you
can give a man a fish, or you can teach him to fish".

I saw men learning to "fish" for themselves today. I
do not know what kind of bait they use, or what kind
of pole they use, or even what kind of fish they are
trying to catch, maybe the Wall Street Journal guy
does. But what I do know is that they are learning to
fish for themselves, and perhaps Col. Twitty and all
his men, can rest a little easier tonight knowing
this.

Sometimes it is better to be seen and not heard.

Jim Spiri
Mosul, Iraq