The Iraqi Orchestra Is Here- Why is the State Department keeping it quiet?

Opinion Journal ^ | 12/11/03 | AYAD RAHIM

[Pokey78]

WASHINGTON--What does it take to get some service around here?

Several weeks ago, I was asked by this newspaper to write an advance article on the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra's visit to Washington. Their concert, which took place this Tuesday night at the Kennedy Center, included Maestro Leonard Slatkin, the (American) National Symphony Orchestra and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. President and Mrs. Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld were in attendance.

[TEXOKIE]

OMIGOSH what a strange story! Wonder what gives.

[mylife]

Actually Id like to see(hear) that.

[mylife]

It is wierd....

[general_re]

Iraq has an orchestra?

[McGavin999]

Yes, and the story of how they managed to stay together (without any pay at all) practicing in secret is truely a wonderful story.

I understand why they were kept away from the press, who knows who here in the US is a Saddamite spy.

[general_re]

I guess so. First I've heard of it, anyway...

[ntnychik]

Too bad this person had such a rough time. My guess is security. FWIW, the President and lovely Laura, the Rummies and Condi went to the concert. We had lovely pics on the Dose, and the story was well covered on last night's TV news. I even read of the Iraqi orchestra visit in advance in the lil ol' Finger Lakes Times.

[McGavin999]

The Iraqis are all excited about them coming over here (at least the ones who read the right papers). This is a very big deal to them. It's small, their instruments are very old, and they have no music library, but they managed to stay together through it all. BTW, the music librarian for the Dallas (I think) orchastra is helping to rebuild their library by getting contributions from all the symphonies in the US.

[Criminal Number 18F]

My guess is security

Not real security, but the class of security so perfectly instantiated by the TSA's gormless screeners. "Let's look like we're doing something." Sham security, empty security, Potemkin security.

Saddam's stooges have bigger worries than a gang of music lovers. (If the paintings they hung in their homes were anything to go by, Saddam and family's tastes didn't have the range to appreciate a symphony).

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[endthematrix]

I'm curious as to why you'd think they wouldn't. You do know they have computer programers, neurosurgeons and nuclear scientists too. I assume you mean why tour here, now and why all hush, hush?

[general_re]

You do know they have computer programers, neurosurgeons and nuclear scientists too.

Really?