Jim Spiri in Iraq

've managed to learn a little more each day, and this day was no exception. Yesterday it was Sheik Abdullah and Col. Twitty, today it is General Mixon and more Iraqi border officials. It is impossible to explain all the dynamics involved, but suffice it to say that this border is very important, and many things go on here that compel forces to keep a watchful eye on things.

As the General walked in with all his staff and security forces, I waited in the office where a briefing would take place detailing events that have happened here recently. In short, there have been VBED attacks in the area, money and gold confiscations from shady characters, detained insurgents, and a whole slew of things too numerous to lay out in this forum. However, according to many present in todays briefing, it has improved yet the General elaborated a bit that the enemy will attack more as progress pushes forward. Basically, it is never a time to become complacent, no matter what the case may be.

I was invited to tag along after the briefing as the General toured the same areas I've been photographing for the past three days. I did happen to notice one thing in particular though, and that is the flow of people was not nearly as heavy as when I had been there just a couple days prior. It was also a little more cleaned up and I believe that was to put on a bit of a more organized view by the Iraqis in light of the General's visit. The General was also accompanied by General Hadi, who is the one in charge for the Iraqis side of border control in this region. There were lots of "brass" on both sides, US and Iraqi, today, and as to be expected, things looked tidyed up a bit more.

As I walked step by step with the General and his security forces, I watched and snapped photos as one official after the next, greeted General Mixon. These were all Iraqis that had varrying degrees of authority and different titles. Some are customs people, some are immigration people, some are security forces, and there are others. They all have different looking uniforms and their names all sound alike after a while. But, some of them I've noticed and spoke with in the last few days. All knew the General was here and all had ideas for improvements for the border.

As we walked in and out of the same areas I had been to recently, the General observed the process and visited each department. It was not what one would call a "whirl-wind" tour, but it was kept on pace. I was impressed as the General took time to visit with many of the "smaller potatoes" that do the work, as the higher authorities watched and waited. At one point in the tour, Col. Mohammed of one of the border authorities stopped near the Syrian border and chatted emphatically with General Mixon concerning a new facility that is needed that he (Gen Mohammed) said would facilitate and completely stem the flow of insurgents into Iraq from this location.

Listening to this conversation, I was intrigued at the insistence of Gen. Mohammed's request. And here in lays the problem at hand, that I have now seen twice in the past few days. The Americans have assisted Iraq for the past five years in ways that are too great to even measure. The Iraqis have come a long way, but I see a trend that is developing. It reminded me of raising children. The more I listened to Gen. Mohammed's request, the more I watched General Mixon's face. Gen. Mohammed was saying, "build us this structure". And he went on, and on, and on.

Gen. Mixon listened.

As we departed that area, I decided that I would do something because I was here. I asked the General if I could ask a question of him. We continued walking side by side and he said, "sure, fire away". I asked, "General, will you recommend that the US build the facility that Gen. Mohammed is requesting?" As we walked side by side, General Mixon emphatically replied that, "the Iraqi government should build it.

They have plenty of money to do it." He continued and listed all the things that we (the USA) have provided right here at the border and it is time that the Iraqi government pick up the ball and do these things now.

This was and is what I am continuing to see on my journey here throughout Iraq since March of this year.

The push is on to "wean" the Iraqis away from complete dependence on the US for everything. And this seems to be a normal approach to me. We have supported, and will continue to support, yet, the Iraqis are coming into a phase that they now can and must do more and more things on their own.

The border area here in this part of Iraq, is like any other border area I've been to on different continents. There are challenges that always relate to business and trade. Here though it also relates to things of war. That is the curve ball that enters this picture. Many of the "players" I've come in contact with lately, on the Iraqi side, seem to be slowly getting the picture. Some of these players see the end of their corrupt ways at the end of the tunnel. Some may even be plotting to play both ends against the middle. Only time will tell, and that is why we are still here, especially here at this border.

I grew up along the an international border. I am aware of the things that go on around such places.

Here, I am learning, ever so slowly, the dynamics of how to make this endeavor work. I do not have all the answers, however, I seem to be mingling among those that have more insight into the challenge than I do.

These are the ones that all those in offices back stateside should be listening to, and I can only hope and pray that they are. As I have said before, and I will say again, "where are all those ones, like politicians, that speak so loudly about what should or should not take place concerning Iraq?" They are not here at the border where I have been. Nor have I seen them anywhere on this particular journey. I believe they are on vacation right now. It's hot in Washington D.C. But it's hot here in Iraq also.

Perhaps they are not finished sipping their lattes yet.
There is plenty of Gatorade here should they decide to come. We'll see.

Jim Spiri
COP Heider, Iraq
jimspiri@yahoo.com