Interview with an Iraqi police lieutenant

Lieutenant Muhammad Mahmud, shift commander at the Joint Security Station, was nice enough to answer some questions about his job. With the help of an interpreter I was able to get his opinion on some of the important issues facing the people in the surrounding area. In the following answers to the questions I have taken some liberties in translating the responses from the simple English used by the interpreter. I made an effort to record his thoughts accurately, although the true meaning may have been lost in translation.

SPC Matsick: How old are you, and are you married?

LT: I'm 30 years old, and yes I'm married.

SPC Matsick: Do you like your work?

LT: Yes.

SPC Matsick: Is the police force at this station improving?

LT: Yes, but slowly. Three months ago before your unit took over for the previous unit, it was very dangerous to travel on the highway. there were kidnappings, vehicles were stolen, and the station was attacked by terrorists.

SPC Matsick: Do the people in Mushada (the surrounding town) respect/support the police force?

LT: Everyone in the town supports the IP's, because they are in need of the medical support, water, food rations, etc.

SPC Matsick: Do you want the U.S. forces to be here in Iraq longterm?

LT: Yes. The Iraqi government is not ready to protect the people from terrorists and militias.

SPC Matsick: Would different regions of the country clash if we left?

LT: Yes. Many parties in Baghdad kill people. Three weeks ago, a militia group called Jaysh Mahadi, said not to patrol near Baghdad gate and Adan square or there would be violence.

SPC Matsick: Is there conflict between the Iraqi Army and the Iraqi Police?

LT: The Iraqi Army is mostly a Shiite Muslim force, and the Iraqi police are Sunni. Therefore they are at odds. The two forces accuse each other of attacking the other, killing civilians and acting irresponsibly.

SPC Matsick: Does the Iraqi youth support IP's/American forces?

LT: Yes. Sometimes the American forces don't do what they say however, they promise to bring rations or to make changes in patrols and they don't. And sometimes their conduct is bad. This sets a bad example for the young people.

SPC Matsick: Are you confident as policemen?

LT: We rely heavily on the American forces to control violence in the area, but are ready to act according to their orders.

SPC Matsick: What do you think of President Bush?

LT: He has lied to the American people, and those of Iraq as well. We still want help from him so we cooperate with what he says.

SPC Matsick: Do you think democracy will work in Iraq?

LT: No. It will only create problems. I support Iyad Allawi to be the leader of Iraq. He does not side with either Shiite or Sunni Muslims.

SPC Matsick: Where do you go on vacation?

LT: I never get more than a few days off. I don't want long vacation because I would just stay at home. There's nowhere to go in Iraq because it's dangerous to travel and most of the sites in Baghdad and the north are ruined by the war.