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(U) Baghdad: Perceptions & Fact (repost)
FROM: SIGINT Communications
Unknown
Run Date: 09/16/2004
(S//REL) As noted in recent Agency-all emails, today will see the debut of the "Frankly
Speaking" program with General Hayden. One of his guests will be
, former
NSA/CSS Representative (NCR) Iraq. (See the Frankly Speaking announcement for details on
how to tune in to the program.) To mark the occasion, we are reposting a SID today article
featuring
observations on conditions in Baghdad:
(C) What do you picture when you hear the term "green zone" in reference to the area in
Baghdad where the Iraqi Provisional Government was headquartered and the US Embassy is
now? Chances are the picture is of extreme security, mortar and rocket craters, and everyone
running from place to place to keep from being shot. Well, according to
the
former and recently returned NCR, Baghdad, that isn't quite accurate.
(U) Sure, all the Americans are carrying weapons and wearing body armor. Of course, there are
fences, two perimeters just like here at NSA, but there are apartment buildings where Iraqis live
and restaurants, too. It isn't downtown Annapolis but it isn't the Wild West, either.
(U)
says that those traveling to Iraq generally have one of two perceptions. Either they
assume it will be just like any other TDY - land at the airport and catch a cab to the base. Or,
they imagine running between car and building, building and building in a crouched position like
the guys in the movie "Saving Private Ryan". In fact, it is really somewhere in between. It is
true that immediately upon leaving Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) one is under the
watchful eye of the US Military and an NSA provided Security Detail and that traveling in two
vehicle convoys is a requirement. But, more and more the atmosphere is getting to be like the
former vs. the latter.
(U) It is also true that rockets and mortars are fired at the green zone but these "attacks" are a
means of harassment, purely a terrorist's tactic. These haphazard "attacks" more often than
not, end up adding another pockmark to the façade of the Sheraton Hotel, which is across the
Tigris River from the green zone.
(U) When asked how things changed while he was there (6 February - 1 June)
quickly said
that it was the conditions within the palace that housed the NCR and the Coalition Provisional
Authority that changed the most.
(U) In February, when
arrived, the place still looked like it was in a war zone. It was very
dirty. There were scads of quickly strung communications wires hanging from the ceiling,
everywhere. But, as the time for the State Department to take over came nearer the palace
began looking more like an embassy.
recalls seeing those large floor buffers, familiar to
most military people, being used on the marble floors to bring back the shine. Also, the closer
the date for the handover of power to the Iraqi Interim Government came the obvious presence
of the US Occupation forces lessened.
(U) Rubbing elbows with members of the foreign service with global reputations was amazing.
Mixing and cooperating with members of our sister intelligence agencies was another highlight.
But, by far the most fulfilling and gratifying experience for
was witnessing, first-hand, the
difference SIGINT makes on a daily basis in Iraq.
Tank in Iraq named Cypher Text
(U) The photo is of
with a tank he happened upon. The custom is for the tank driver to
name his tank and put that name on the barrel of the gun. This unknown tank driver may have
had a job here at one time!
(U) This article first appeared on July 27, 2004.
"(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet
without the consent of S0121 (DL sid_comms)."
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DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108