Five Years of Living with War (by Peggy Gish)
I write these words from Iraq, where I have worked through the Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) since October 2002 - before, during, and since the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. CPT attempts to follow Jesus as we seek to reduce violence in conflict areas around the world. In Iraq our team has worked at this by accompanying Iraqi people in dangerous situations, "truth telling" through our reports on the abuse of detainees and other consequences of war and occupation, and training and working along side local organizations on projects of reconciliation and finding nonviolent alternatives to the problems they face. This fall and winter, we have been working in the Kurdish north - accompanying people who are sanctioned for speaking out against human rights abuses, and families displaced by violence by Turkish troops on the borders.
After five years of being in the midst of the instability and suffering of the Iraqi people - hearing their pain, fear, and increasing hopelessness as they tell us about their lives, their shattered hopes and dreams - witnessing and experiencing violence ourselves as a team; but also witnessing truely courageous people who have not lost faith and hope as they work for peace, I am led to reflect on the legacy of the war and occcupation as I write the following:
After five years of war, Iraqis live with:
- Deaths of an estimated 794,000 Iraqi civilians. (John Hopkins University study)
- A physically devastated society. The rebuilding of Iraq's society and infrastructure has progressed very little. There is still a lack of clean water, electricity, and fuel. Medicine or medical equipment in hospitals and health centers are grossly inadequate.
- Continued economic crisis. There is still massive unemployment, poverty, and increased malnutrition. The Iraqi government is under pressure by U.S. government to pass a new oil law which could allow foreign corporations equal access to new oil fields, resulting in billions of dollars in oil revenues being taken out of the country.
- Anger and despair increasing as Iraqis lose hope for a better life.
- Iraqi and U.S. forces continuing violent house raids and brutal detentions of Iraqi men. Many innocent detainees are forced, through torture, to confess to acts of terror they did not commit.
- Civilians living in fear due to daily explosions, gun battles, and personal attacks. Sectarian violence, exacerbated over the years by U.S. Military presence and policies as well as by Iraqi police and military forces.
- Women subjected to increased violence and loss of personal rights and freedoms.
- Children growing up seeing violence and killing as the norm.
- A country-side polluted with radioactive depleted uranium from U.S. weaponry used in the 1991 and 2003 wars with Iraq, resulting in increased cancers and birth defects.
- An elected government and ratified constitution, but with a government that most Iraqis feel doesn't really represents them and their needs. Sunni Iraqis fear the influence of Iranian government on the mostly-Shia, Iraqi central government.
- The U.S. military in the process of transferring "security" to Iraqi police and military - but instead of feeling protected, Iraqis feeling terrorized by these forces which have been trained and equipped by U.S. forces that have also trained human rights abusers in Latin America.
- Iraqis also being told that the only way to security is through excessive violence and giving up their civil rights.
- Continuation of collective punishment. One U.S. antiterrorism strategy in Iraq is to surround and attack, often with heavy bombing, whole neighborhoods, villages and cities. After attacks, non-combative civilians killed are often labeled "terrorists," in news reports. (During the November, 2004 attacks of Fallujah, 65% of the buildings, of a city of 300,000 residents, were destroyed.)
- Because of the hardship and dangers, an estimated 4 million Iraqis fleeing their homes to other countries or as displaced persons in their own country.
- Instead of U.S. military presence bringing stability, perpetuating instability.
Words cannot express the anguish that the Iraqi people have experienced in these last five years because of the war. The longer occupying forces are in their country, the longer they suffer the violence and hardship of daily life. We must not continue to justify paying for and prolonging this war.
Peggy Gish is a fulltime worker with Christian Peacemaker Teams, which seeks to enlist the whole church in organized, nonviolent alternatives to war and places teams of trained peacemakers in regions of lethal conflict. CPT initiated a long-term presence in Iraq in October 2002. She is the author of Iraq: A Journey of Hope and Peace.
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Comments
5 years later and the invading army has still not been held to account for its brutalities against civilians and its crony corruption. In the post WW2 era of so-called international law, this is a travesty!
Posted by: splinterlog | March 5, 2008 5:15 PM
Thankyou, Peggy, for speaking out for those who have no voice.
Posted by: Canucklehead | March 5, 2008 9:26 PM
The Iraqi government is under pressure by U.S. government to pass a new oil law which could allow foreign corporations equal access to new oil fields, resulting in billions of dollars in oil revenues being taken out of the country.
Because state-run oil companies have done wonders for the citizens of Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela.
Civilians living in fear due to daily explosions, gun battles, and personal attacks.
As opposed to living in fear of Saddam Hussein's death squads.
Women subjected to increased violence and loss of personal rights and freedoms.
Which rights exactly have been lost?
An elected government and ratified constitution, but with a government that most Iraqis feel doesn't really represents them and their needs.
Show of hands. How many people thing that the US Government really represents them and their needs?
Instead of U.S. Military presence bringing stability, perpetuating instability.
Based on what? Your gut feelings? And what exactly will happen if we decide to pull out our forces from Iraq now? The 'insurgents' will rebuild infrastructure and institute freedom for all?
Posted by: Odin's Beard | March 5, 2008 9:31 PM
Iraq appears to have been better off with a even Saddam controling things from this report .
I am not sure as you canuck . .
What do you think will happen if say Obama wins and we just get out of there in three or four months?
Do you see any possible negative consequences ?
My son's friend who is in the Army came back and told me that almost every house he saw had one of the Direct Tv satelites . One thing they have now is freedom to get world news uncensored by their TV . Sadam did have an iron fist . No one got out of line .
.
Posted by: Mick | March 5, 2008 11:29 PM
It is nearly impossible to get out of Iraq in three or four months. Leaving aside the horrible situations that we would leave behind, the logistics alone prevent any quick retreat. We can't just throw everything in a bag and run for the border. We're looking at a minimum six months, which would be a feat in itself. And that is all dependent on Obama wanting to pull out immediately. He's naive, not stupid.
Posted by: Odin's Beard | March 6, 2008 10:14 AM
Things are really great in Iraq - everyone's got satellite TV?
Someone else from the National Guard came back wounded and told me that he and others were disillusioned and that none of the Iraqis he met trusted them at all.
Posted by: N.M Rod | March 6, 2008 12:02 PM
My son's friend who is in the Army came back and told me that almost every house he saw had one of the Direct Tv satelites . One thing they have now is freedom to get world news uncensored by their TV . Sadam did have an iron fist . No one got out of line .
Intermittant access to uncensored news is great but most Iraqis would rather have access to clean water, adequate sanitation, decent healthcare, education for their children,an uninterrupted power supply, freedom from brutality by US and coalition forces etc. Many Christian and secular commentators have observed that the situation for women and Christian minorities in Iraq has deteriorated since the fall of Saddam and that many girls are being deprived even the most basic education that they previously received under Saddam's regime.
Posted by: Anya (UK) | March 6, 2008 4:00 PM
Oh, boy! Everyone who hasn't been killed has satellite TV, to take their minds off lost loved ones, lost limbs, lost education, lost communities...
They ought to be a little more grateful to us, eh?
Posted by: I and I | March 6, 2008 10:05 PM
The war in Iraq is this generations greatest sin.
God forgive us.
Mark 13:22
Matthew 13:15
God bless you and be with you, Peggy.
Elizabeth Daniele
Posted by: Elizabeth Daniele | March 7, 2008 1:51 PM
I and I , come on now . I expect that sarcasm from Rod . But of course Iraq has been decimated , that is usually happens when the largest and best equiped Air Force and Army Invade you . What I was pointing out , and how I look at most things , is I try to see where we are now , and perhaps what we should do now . I wil forward you some information that is bearified , and indeed should be acknowledged and more positive attempts of this kind should be encourgaged.
Sometimes it appears people rather be negative and win idealogical debates , the war was wrong .
Duhhhhhh , I agree .
but can we now focus on that will actually encourgage us to the right things . And of course remind us of what caused us to get in this fix .
To say good things are happening in iraq does not undermine the misery war brought . Sometimes I think you guys got a chip in your brain sensors , maybe on your shoulder ?
Did you know that 47 countries have reestablished
their embassies in Iraq?
Did you know that the Iraqi government currently
employs 1.2 million Iraqi people ?
Did you know that 3100 schools have been renovated,
364 schools are under rehabilitation, 263 new
schools are now under const ruction and 38 new
schools have been completed in Iraq ?
Did you know that Iraq's higher educational
structure consists of 20 Universities, 46 Institutes or
colleges and 4 research centers, all currently operating?
Did you know that 25 Iraq students departed for the
United State s in January 2005 for the re-established
Fulbright program ?
Did you know that the Iraqi Navy is operati onal ?
They have 5 - 100-foot patrol craft, 34 smaller
vessels and a naval infantry regiment.
Did you know that Iraq's Air Force
consists of three operational squadrons, which
includes 9 reconnaissance and 3 US C-130
transport aircraft (under Iraqi operational
control) which operate day and night, and will
soon add 16 UH-1 helicopters and 4 Bell
Jet Rangers ?
Did you know that Iraq has a counter-terrorist
unit and a Commando Battalion?
Did you know that the Iraqi Police Service has over
55,000 fully trained and equipped police officers?
Did you know that there are 5 Police Academies
in Iraq that produce over 3500 new officers each 8 weeks?
Did you know there are more than 1100 building
projects going on in Iraq?
They include 364 schools, 67 public clinics, 15
hospitals, 83 railroad stations, 22 oil facilities,
93 water facilities and 69 electrical facilities.
Did you know that 96% of Iraqi children under the age
of 5 have received the first 2 series of polio vaccinations?
Did you know that 4.3 million Iraqi children were
enrolled in primary school by mid October?
Did you know that there are 1,192,000 cell phone
subscribers in Iraq and phone use has gone up 158% ?
Did you know that Iraq has an independent media that
consists of 75 radio stations, 180 newspapers and 10
television stations?
Did you know that the Baghdad Stock Exchange opened
in June of 2004?
Did you know that 2 candidates in the Iraqi
presidential election had a televised debate recently?
Tragically, the lack of accentuating the positive in
Iraq serves three two major purposes of the liberal news
media:
Posted by: Mick | March 8, 2008 2:07 PM
Things are really great in Iraq - everyone's got satellite TV?
Posted by: N.M Rod
What is so insulting besides your attempt to change my words to reward some delusioned stereotype of my view , you took the context out of the young man who was overthere also .
After listening to him for about an hour and half , I took in quite much . He was totally aganst the war by the way , as I am , not only did he tell me that many people did not want us there , some do , but that the patrols he went out on , our troops , the United states Ones means our troops for your clarification , , did not trust the Iraq forces supposedly helping us . I consider very telling of the mess of there also . Also his view was that the Christians there were not mis treated , but treated much like third class citizens . Which was not too good considering their 2nd and first class citizens are not treated all that hot either . That basically it was Fundamentalist Free free all . Also interesting he said all the road signs were given in English along side the Iraq language , basically looks like the Highway system has not been updated since the English were there . I guess their Highway funding was never in Sadams's priorities .
Interesting , even a conversation with an American hero , a young man who opened his heart and experiences in Iraq to me , with a total view point of this was a mistake , Bush is a jerk , and man we need to leave in an orderly way is construed by you as needing a sarcastic and obnoxious retort .
"sigh"
He also told me that except for his parents , I am the only person who actually listened to him . I fear many of thse men and women will be coming back with experiences that will hard to understand . That is a different culture and strange view on life . He said bombs were being used as a means for people to actually make a living .People sold them , often regardless for whose side was buying them . The black market has become a strong part of their economy . That indeed people are bringing bombs in through the borders , .
And yes , Americans are doing some good things over there , this young shared with me about some of things he and his friends did . Not to mention how some of the people in Iraq opened up their hearts to them , even fed them dinner , sometimes people just are nice to each other , it does not have to have an idealogical bent to it ,
Grow up
Posted by: Mick | March 8, 2008 4:20 PM
"Grow up." "Sarcastic and obnoxious."
Like Reagan would sadly shake his head during the Presidential election debates, "There he goes again."
You will please note that I do *not* agree, that "Bush is a jerk." That is more of the same demeaning and insulting language that is not the respect for each other's persons and opinions that we are to accord one another. If Obama, Hillary and Hickabee aren't to be demonized and denigrated personally, and they ought not to be, then neither should George.
It seems some people can't separate principled differences of opinion from Fox News-style insult-fests, nor do they really respect the views of others enough to do other than think that disagreeing with their own views is some sort of unpatriotic hatred. Seems to me that freedom of thought and being respectful of reasoned dissident speech are the cornerstones of freedom, not something to be vilified in a sort of reverse political correctness.
This from the person who failed to respond or acknowledge in any way the following:
"mr puffed up"
"your perverted testimony"
"Neither do I find Christ or the love he expounds in your hatred"
"you spout off your religious dogma"
Those are quite the responses to a traditional faith position! They are not the first of yours, either, to contain insulting and demonizing language.
First, let me apologize to you for giving you offense from anything that is not of Christ in my words, or of His Spirit's leading. I repent of anything that has crept in that is not of Him. I don't believe I have ever disrespected you as a person, only disagreed with and countered arguments, using reason and scripture to support a strong position for non-violent resistance as the core of Jesus' teachings on how we are to live while opposing evil.
You might not be aware that you have denigrated not just me personally, rather than responding to the evidence, but that you have impugned the position of entire church communities, notably the anabaptist traditions like the Mennonites, Brethren and Amish.
You must really be upset with the strength of this scriptural position, which is based on a conservative reading of Matthew 5, 6 and 7 as well as the internal consistency of Jesus' words and actions and the teachings of the apostles in the New Testament.
Why should this provoke you to have to unfairly resort to demonization of another? Why not prove the merits of your contentions that Jesus' words aren't to be taken literally, or are not for us?
I would welcome you reading the above chapters and then addressing each of the passages, so that you can make sure of what Jesus actually said and so that we can reasonably address your contentions that I have lied, distorted or perverted His words.
Would you do that? If we are Christians, we ought to be ready to let Him have the last word.
Posted by: Sojourner Truth | March 9, 2008 12:11 AM
"You must really be upset with the strength of this scriptural position, which is based on a conservative reading of Matthew 5, 6 and 7"
Nope, nor does the vast majority of the Evangelical world believe in your interpetation either . Ever consider it was you ? That the thinking that laws are not to be enforced , that iffamily , senior citizen , attacking a homosexual just because they are gay , rape, a man is injuring a child , the police officer is to turn the cheek . You can't answer this , not have you ever . you go on some rant that leaves the question unanswered .
I see it as a cultish like understanding of what the Lord is saying to each of our hearts when it comes from an unbalanced view of all scripture .
But if you believe in allowing evil to have full reign on the innocent , that stopping that evil with the use of force is Bibically inaccurate .
.
Could we as Christians , allow the Lord his Spirit to touch each of our hearts , and have the Faith to trust him to do it . I would appreciate your not using my words to be mis represented ,
In fact through blogs I find your comments condescending and without the Love of Christ that is so abundantly found in 5,6, 7 .
You favor allowing murder , crimes and such not to have a deterent with a physical force to combat it if neccesaary. I have never found the Lord or His word even coming close to that understanding .
We just know a different Jesus if you believe He does.
Posted by: Mick | March 10, 2008 5:06 AM
ST--I do not think to radically follow Jesus can be too extreme; and this includes peacemaking.
I also see sin throughout my being. I see it in my neighbor, City Hall, media, and the United Nations. I see it in the bank robber and behind the policeman's badge.
I see Christians exercising stewardship responsibility as police, politicians, voters, neighbors and soldiers. The laws which demand my neighbor to be sober in his car, buckle his seatbelt, drive on the correct side of the road, in a legal vehicle, and a legal speed, with legal registration, and with a current driver's license--are enforced, ultimately at the end of a gun.
The electricity running my computer comes from a massive technological, physical, social, corporate, political, global, and economic system--that is enforced at the end of a gun.
There is no detachment of our lives from a very fallen system; rife with sin. And I do not think there to be a neat answer. We live in paradox. We seek to express the Kingdom in a non-Kingdom world; while also being responsible to steward our very fallen lives, structures, institutions, geo-political affairs, and cultures for Godly purposes.
I do believe a devoted humility before God and the way of Jesus would bring a deep sorrow, and much heightened constraint, in regards to the use of military force.
I have mentioned before I find it ironic the modern military has been far more constrained in its willingness to go to war than civilian leadership.
I don't think any of us have the capacity to fully embrace the paradox. I think the broader church needs to more fully engage the "historic peace churches" because we need each other to walk out Jesus' ways the best we can. Paradox often takes us more clearly to Jesus than paths of simple clarity.
Posted by: letjusticerolldown | March 10, 2008 8:59 AM
"Paradox often takes us more clearly to Jesus than paths of simple clarity."
Amen to that
Posted by: Witness for Peace | March 10, 2008 8:41 PM
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