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US soldiers risk own goal in football challenge to Iraq
The Guardian (U.K.) ^
| 06/24/03
| Ewen MacAskill and Michael Howard
Posted on 06/23/2003 8:32:46 PM PDT by Pokey78
In the present state of lawlessness in Baghdad, Iraqi fans are as capable of firing rocket-propelled grenades during a football match as they are of lobbing a few toilet rolls. But the US army insisted that tonight's game is going ahead anyway. A US team, made up of soldiers from the 1st Armoured Division, is scheduled to take on the Iraq national side at the Olympic Stadium in Baghdad. With the war barely over and many Baghdad residents becoming angrier by the day about US occupation, it is a risky undertaking.
The British army has a tradition of trying to win over local populations through football - it took on Afghans in Kabul and Royal Marines played a Basra side in April - but it is a departure for the normally soccer-shy Americans.
Having failed catastrophically to win Iraqi hearts and minds since the war ended, the US is turning in desperation to football, an Iraqi national obsession.
The US army described the match as a "symbolic gesture" to celebrate "Iraqi athleticism returning to normality". But it also offers the Iraqis an opportunity to vent their feelings in a public arena.
US Sergeant Myra O'Neill, based at the US headquarters near the Rashid Hotel, in Baghdad, played down physical dangers. "No worries about security," she said. "There will be lots of security."
She could not say whether the stadium will be open to the public, or restricted to some residents or an invited audience of youths. But there is a risk of humiliation for the US players. The soldiers should be no match for Iraqi professionals, especially playing in high temperatures: it was 45C in Baghdad yesterday.
The match is being held in conjunction with another initiative organised by the US Soccer Foundation, which is sending 60,000 balls "to help more Americans show their compassion for Iraqi youth".
Few Baghdad residents appeared to be even aware of tonight's match. "Is that all the Americans can offer us?" asked Seleem Mehdi Mohammed, 45, a cafe owner. "We don't want football, we want security and stability, electricity and water."
His views were echoed by Mohammed Hassan Allawi, 26, a civil servant who has not been paid since before the war. He "wanted to know about my future and not the result of soccer games".
Mohammed Subhi, 46, was an Iraq player in the 80s, though he says he escaped the torture sometimes inflicted on his fellow players by Saddam's son, Uday Hussein. "This game is good for relations between Iraqis and Americans," he said. "We have so many problems that I believe it is a good time to show we can just be friends."
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: football; guardian; iraq; mediabias; postwariraq; soccer
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
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1
posted on
06/23/2003 8:32:47 PM PDT
by
Pokey78
To: Pokey78
"Having failed catastrophically to win the hearts and minds."I love the Guardian's always fair and balanced approach....;^(
2
posted on
06/23/2003 8:37:40 PM PDT
by
MEG33
To: Pokey78
These Onion reporters just crack me up!
3
posted on
06/23/2003 8:55:50 PM PDT
by
zarf
(fuggetaboutit)
To: Pokey78; JohnHuang2; Howlin
Translation : Things are calm enough in Baghdad for people to play soccer at the stadium with US soldiers instead of being tortured in the basement of the Iraqi Olympic Organization by a Baathist with no sense of good sportsmanship.
4
posted on
06/23/2003 10:22:56 PM PDT
by
piasa
(Attitude adjustments offered here free of charge.)
To: piasa
It's a quagmire, I tell you!
5
posted on
06/23/2003 10:25:11 PM PDT
by
Howlin
To: Pokey78
We ought to piss off the Guardian real well and send the Iraqis baseball equipment.
6
posted on
06/23/2003 10:25:14 PM PDT
by
piasa
(Attitude adjustments offered here free of charge.)
To: Howlin
I never cease to be amazed at the contortions the Guardian has to go through to not only try to make us look incompetant, in the process making the Iraqis look like whiny, thieving liberal idiots.
7
posted on
06/23/2003 10:27:12 PM PDT
by
piasa
(Attitude adjustments offered here free of charge.)
To: piasa; RJayneJ
Jayne, post #4 gets 'Quote-of-the-Day' nomination.
To: JohnHuang2
Thanks, John... have you heard any Democrats say "What about North Korea" lately?
9
posted on
06/23/2003 10:31:44 PM PDT
by
piasa
(Attitude adjustments offered here free of charge.)
To: Howlin
Howlin,quagmire,heard those words from the press today at a freep,they kinda laughed.Know what it meant.
10
posted on
06/23/2003 10:46:03 PM PDT
by
fatima
(Few words,more action.)
To: fatima
Did they really laugh? I wish I thought they were "getting it." Doubt it though.
11
posted on
06/23/2003 10:47:37 PM PDT
by
Howlin
To: Pokey78
It's amazing how a good deed is reported so badly by a fair and balanced network. ;-)
To: Pokey78
"Is that all the Americans can offer us?" asked Seleem Mehdi Mohammed, 45, a cafe owner. "We don't want football, we want security and stability, electricity and water." Well, cupcake, I want a pony, but the gummint don't look about to buy me one. You want stability, electricity, and water? Ain't nobody stopping you...
To: Aaron0617
The British army has a tradition of trying to win over local populations through football - it took on Afghans in Kabul and Royal Marines played a Basra side in April - but it is a departure for the normally soccer-shy Americans. Brits rule...America sucks. lol...
To: piasa
....send the Iraqis baseball equipment. There you go!
15
posted on
06/23/2003 10:55:32 PM PDT
by
Ciexyz
To: Aaron0617
Having failed catastrophically to win Iraqi hearts and minds since the war ended..but the Brits suceeded. Once again, America sucks.
To: JohnHuang2
Thanks for the nomination! };^D)
17
posted on
06/23/2003 11:01:31 PM PDT
by
RJayneJ
(To nominate a Quote of the Day rjaynej@freerepublic.com or put my screen name in the To: line.)
To: Pokey78
"This game is good for relations between Iraqis and Americans," he said. "We have so many problems that I believe it is a good time to show we can just be friends." At least one of thems got it right.
18
posted on
06/23/2003 11:03:32 PM PDT
by
Bullish
To: piasa
Welcome :)
To: RJayneJ
My pleasure :)
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