Interview with an Iraqi Patriot

A sneak preview of Bob and Jim's work in Iraq: an Interview with Mohammad.

"Mohammad" was once a member of the Iraq military under Saddam, but now he's a Project Manager with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). In this interview he talks about his dreams for Iraq in terms of the construction industry and the infrastructure he is helping to restore.

What is most striking to hear is how mundane the interview is in many ways. Mohammad is an example of the universality of many human desires: he wants a nice house with nice furnishings, and good-paying work that he can take pride in. He is also looking at things around him as a typical businessman concerned with encouraging safety, construction standards, quality-control and professionalism among the local Iraqi contractors.

But overall, he's an Iraqi patriot with a vision for how all of the above fit into creating long-term safety and stability in Iraq.

He also shares his thoughts on what America has done in Iraq.

Don't miss this!

P.S. For background and more on the issues and vision Mohamed describes, see below:

Army, Iraqi infrastructure leaders meet to discuss business opportunities
Iraq small business development centers foster synergy with microfinance institutions
Army Assists in Reinvigorating Iraq's Economy
Army Corps of Engineers Teach Safety Rules

Baghdad: al-Mamoon Exchange and Telecommunications

The al-Mamoon Exchange and Telecommunications center (telephone and Internet) is a major project that will help bring more Baghdad residents the technology of the 21st Century, thus having a major impact on the flow of information and cultural exchange between Iraq and the rest of the world.

It's being built under the supervision of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and contractors and employees include both Americans and Iraqis. It's exciting to see the level of Iraqi involvement and enthusiasm in this (the interview I'm still waiting on for hosting also touches on the development of the Iraqi construction/industrial professions).

The pictures below are from Bob and Jim's visit a couple of days ago...

Interviewing a senior American contractor at the jobsite (Bob interviewing, Jim filming):


Iraqi construction workers learning on the job:


Talking with an American contractor and Iraqi (Btw, I found this picture to be a fascinating example of the differences in American and Iraqi body language and social psychology):


Again, Bob and Jim will have video of these sites and interviews conducted there when they return.

Addendum: Here is some USACE video of the worksite from May 2007 that includes a computer graphic of the expected final result. The tone is a bit propaganda-ish, but there is b-roll footage also.

Baghdad: Alwaiya Children's Hospital

As Bob mentioned in his previous post, he and Jim spent time interviewing people at the Alwaiya Children's Hospital in Baghdad. When the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began renovating it in 2005, the hospital was falling apart and about 60 years behind the times. This year the final touches are being put on the newly-renovated hospital that is now bustling with patients receiving care in clean, healthy and up-to-date facilities.

Here are some photos from the day Bob and Jim spent there [click for larger versions]...

Speaking with the hospital director:


Sick children treated at the hospital:



Bob and Jim will have video footage of all this when they return.