Interview with a soldier: from the war in Colombia to the war in Iraq by: Patria Zurda publication date: 03/08/10
3 August 2010 (Rubén Zamora) - this interview is a former professional soldier who belonged to the Colombian Army Brigade seventeenth and which by economic circumstances involved in the war in Iraq.
The name and other data omitted for their safety. The coincidences allowed us to find and in a very frank and measured to extend ourselves in a conversation dialogue that does not hide the recognition of the heroic resistance of the Iraqi people and the condition in which are exploited soldiers and mercenaries by Government and the American contractors.
Who makes the interview is not a journalist, a fighter fariano, eager to learn and compare the truths of two Nations that American troops are involved directly. An indomitable Iraq and Colombia where he is installed a large base military us guiding us into conflict with many similarities.
Rubén z. January 8, 2010
How did you alistaste to go to Iraq?
In December 2005, one day in a classified press said the need for professional soldiers, officers, or official sub and offered good salary, I stood at the address and was a school private security called ID system. There were several people, explained us that it is a work to care for oil wells in Iraq, the promise was 6 thousand dollars monthly salary, present us the requirements and one week had list documentation. Salary worth in spite of the risk, had already lived enough, when he was in military service at the 17th Brigade of the army as a private and professional soldier.
In June 2006, called me a captain Guevara, ordered me to introduce myself, confirmed me that this tender was with the Department of State American and would pay of $ 1,600. Took me new data, demanded me to do a course in Bogotá, a cavalry school week: physical test, polygon long gun, instructors were American; a week at the headquarters of civilian employees of the army; the polygon with sidearms and shotguns in Facatativá, at a school Latin colombo security headquarters. Approved course confirmed me that we left direction to Baghdad in the middle of December. They gave us information standards in that country and the situation in Iraq.
What was the exact path?
We did scale in Venezuela, Frankfort, Jordan and hence we fly heading to Baghdad. We travel in groups of 15 men, we arrive at airport of Baghdad and hence we were led to the company Black Water (black water), an American contractor is attached personnel of military retired from several countries in the world. We walk 15 minutes in vehicles heavily escorted by convoys to the camp of the PSD (staff escorts of the u.s. Department of State) which is opposite the American Embassy.
What was the first impression you get there?
Of a country at war. Much destruction, the airport was controlled by many American troops, many aircraft, military helicopters and other equipment of combat. We received and protected us with jackets anti-bala and helmet. Resistance to fire from snipers who harassed the Caravan and appreciated vehicles burnt on the sides of the track named us in the route.
What was the mission?
Received entries camp and escort of the Department of State and visiting personnel protection.
They were distinguished gringas troops?
Principle staffing weapons were shotguns, our uniforms were military type baige, color of the same colour of the boots and helmet. AR-4 rifles then endowed us. Also not participábamos in offensive operations.
Do you always permaneciste in Baghdad?
No, there spent a while and then we moved to Al Hillah, hence protect a regional of the American Embassy.
How to perceive the atmosphere of a country at war?
Reports that wasn direct sources, generally episodes that had permanent attacks that wasn with mortars and rockets and American troops. Sometimes, by satellite, identified the launch of artillery and alarm warned that you had to go to the bunkers. Times were every day several times a day, every four days and more duramos without being attacked during the month of Ramadan, they are dedicated to prayer, visit the sacred sites, it was that elapses from October 15 to November 15, Muhammad died in that month.
What is an important objective of resistance?
The green zone where they were Sadan, administrative buildings that area surrounded it with walls of concrete nearly four metres high, attacks it artillery come from the other side of the Tigris River, the first rocket attacks fell outside, then they were specifying the target to be effective. . We had restricted leave the green area just by the amount given to newspaper in Baghdad Bombings. We left unarmed and civil.
How was the Colombian staff in service organized?
We were divided into four teams of 15 men and each team had three American supervisors. In the green area had groups of various nationalities.
Was the issue that most commented with gringas troops?
On the desire to get out fast, terminate your service. American politicians he had lied to the world, that it was a farce to justify the invasion, or installations where had manufactured them weapons of mass destruction never found. The troop feels deceived, because there are many casualties and contempt for the Iraqis, that greatly affects morale.
What's more affect them morale?
Snipers attacks and bombings.
What role do the media play?
They makeup everything. These are controlled by us. All it makes CNN. Statistics of American casualties are manipulated.
Where there are as many attacks on troops occupation?
Neighbourhoods, in marginal areas, people attacked on the street, even some of the attackers are women and children that manipulate very well fragmentation grenades.
Are many casualties?
Yes, many, it was easy to estimate when developments since the helicopters came often to a military hospital located diagonally to the camp where we were in Baghdad.
Where is resistance greater?
Falhuya, Basra, Baghdad, Kirkuk, there are major stocks and oil infrastructure. Historical provinces in the field are religious in Basra killed Ali, the son-in-law of Muhammad, hence comes the rivalry between Shi'a and Sunni. Ali is for the Shia designated Muhammad, and the Shi'a represent greater force of resistance against the American occupation. The Sunnis are divided, some supported occupation, but were affected, 90 per cent of the iraquís have lost loved ones by the invasion and this has led to a feeling of revenge to the Americans. The winners have been Kurds since these clans were persecuted by Sadan Hussein.
Who runs the resistance?
Spiritual leaders, are actually actions of the Iraqi people. People feel the need to take revenge. Feel that they violated them their sovereignty: territory, culture, their churches and sacred sites, its oil, the Americans destroyed them hospitals, is a town that has no water, no light, nor sewerage, hungry. The ruins of Babylon were raped, then built camps Georgian troops that are part of U.S. allies. The destruction was terrible for the bombing, in front of us was the building of the Ministry of defence, is ruined by 70% by American attacks.
Do the United States have full control of the army and Iraqi police?.
Not. The army is composed of iraquís and they feel hatred by occupation troops. Americans see them with Ganymede, superiority, discriminate against them, is more, they know that foreign troops are responsible for the destruction of Iraq. There have been cases of attacks on Iraqi military against us troops. One case, for example, travels a joint patrol of American and Iraqi military one Iraqi soldier shot burst against Americans, kills a major, 7 soldiers, was also killed. In the cafeteria of the Parliament a police escort a Minister, detonated a vest with explosives which was attached to his body, and there were many dead and wounded. Once got a command to an American base, a van and 6 were soldiers American prisoners, the command was composed by Iraqi police.
What state are you producing oil?
It is said that only Iraq is taking place 20% in two years could recover 90%, American companies have not have safety for oil holdings. The debate in the Parliament is the subject of oil nationalization. Resistance in Parliament is large.
Do what power the United States in Iraq?
The Maliky representative, is Chiita, his rise to power was negotiated to overcome the actions against the Americans. It accepted that the army and police were trained by the Americans but refused to be led by General gringos. Just delete the Ordinance No. 3 which granted immunity to troops and personnel of the contractors that they could do what came them in WINS and recognized as diplomatic staff enjoyed immunity. It is inconceivable for the contractors that an American is judged by Iraqi courts.
Blak Waber, company attacked a family in a patrol, that was a year ago, and from that company's output is demanded. The Iraqi authorities closed the airports and demanded that the output of the company, he changed the name to the company but staff we remain the same.
To give an idea, the Iraqi Government refused to buy her armament and other equipment fighting us and preferred to those dealing with Russia.
How many security companies were in Iraq?
They are as 1,100 companies.
Who rebuilds Iraq?
The United States, companies like the Halliburton are those that have earned these tenders.
What you prompted to say the trip to Iraq?
The economic situation.
Are you satisfied?
The truth that not. One was to actually win was the contractor, State Department paid by each of us $ 12 million per month, and we paid $ 1000 each. Suggested several times that increased us salary and what they said is that many people wanted to that Office by the same. One is very inconforme.
What if stay crippled?
They require them to business insurance, if we spent some company responded you to one in the military hospital, from there went it to Germany and then passed it to Colombia and is under the protection of a private hospital. A colleague was crippled by a wound on his leg and with which he was paid only was able to buy a truck 350.
What do you think of the Iraqi people?
In general are very friendly people, much studying people, when they see that it is not dangerous for them are good people with one.
Do you think that the invasion was justified?
No, at any time.
Who defends the people of Iraq with this resistance?
Its sovereignty, defending their land, their beliefs, their culture, which belongs to them.
What do you think of weapons of mass destruction of Sadan?
We found no, everything was a big lie. Not found anything similar. These weapons were something like terrorism in Colombia, pretext bass which installed the gringos in Colombia, here you will spend the same or similar that in Iraq. They are only smoke curtains to justify intervention.
That has been lost in Iraq?
The main thing, human lives, liberty, part of the cultural values, led the gringos vices, missed the tranquility, wealth, infrastructure services.
Was easy-the dialogue with the American troops?
Yes, we find many latinos, including Colombian, are soldiers of the U.S. Army, he was uncomfortable. Many soldiers are undocumented that after serving two years in the army are entitled to the green card is the nationality. They can be a 35 to 40 per cent. Carry both Latin because they are easier to recruit them, are people who have many needs and employment problems.
What services do you offer contractors?
They are static guard, which was the case with us, the Psd escorting caravans of vehicles with food, escorts; services training, intelligence services.
Do you think that an Iraqi feels to see face to an American?
I hate the long hatred.
Why?
By the humiliations to which have been subjected. It may feel one as Colombian if submitted it the gringos to their humiliation. See, in the camp, employees were iraquís, made domestic services, 300, two were women, we saw as enemies, were subject to restrictions, prohibit us talking to them, do not let them enter nothing, and food, some of us were permissive, we understood the situation, but it was very difficult for American supervisors controls.
At the time of retirement that you require?
Commitment to confidentiality.
Wouldst to Iraq?
I do not believe it.
