Edmonton Sun
White flag, black eye
Photo of dead Iraqis raises PR problems for allies

By Scott Taylor, Sun Media
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey -- Just four days into the war, a photo was published by the international media that could ultimately prove to be one of the definitive images of U.S. President George Bush's foray into Iraq.

Looking dumbfounded by their own handiwork, two heavily armed British soldiers are shown peering down into an Iraqi slit trench. In the bottom of this shallow bunker are the crumpled bodies of two pathetic-looking Iraqi conscripts. What is so disturbing about this photo is that beside the dead Iraqi soldiers lies a clearly evident white flag of surrender.

Many of the European newspapers had this image on their front pages, while the Turkish editions made a point of enlarging a portion of the photo to clearly illustrate the dirty white rag tied to a stick. While there can be no telling exactly what transpired prior to this photo being snapped without an independent inquiry, the image will no doubt further fuel antiwar protesters.

While it remains a possibility that these two Iraqis were gunned down by their own comrades, who viewed their surrender attempt as being disloyal to Saddam, the first impression is that the British soldiers refused to take these men prisoner.

In Turkey, where the population is overwhelmingly opposed to the war, this photo sparked further violent anti-American and anti-British demonstrations.

Few Europeans actually bought into the U.S. State Department's claim that this military intervention was to "liberate Iraq," and now these images have further strengthened the antiwar opposition groups.

For beleaguered Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, however, the photo must have seemed like a godsend. Although the white flag of surrender belies the official line that "eight million Iraqi soldiers are prepared to fight to the death," Saddam will use this image to illustrate how the allied coalition is not taking prisoners. If young Iraqi soldiers truly believe they will be killed regardless, then they may indeed choose to fight with suicidal ferocity.

The ability for the photographer to capture such a sight, just moments after the actual combat, was facilitated by the new U.S. and British policies of embedding journalists within their front-line units. Unlike the first Gulf war, where media access was strictly controlled, this time the allies have actually encouraged journalists to record events as they unfold.

Obviously, part of the reason stems from the fact that U.S. planners really did not expect much of a fight from the Iraqi forces. If soldiers were entering into heavy combat, the last thing they would want to worry about would be some idiot with a video camera getting in the way.

So far, the planners' assessment has proven correct. To date, the U.S. has acknowledged that only a dozen of their personnel have been killed as a result of enemy action. Nevertheless, it now appears that one controversial photo may do more to damage the U.S.-led war effort than the entire Iraqi army.

When the public-relations damage caused by the image of the "attempted surrender" has been fully assessed, it is likely that planners for the allies will rethink their policy of embedding journalists in war zones. The only thing predictable about any war is that it's always unpredictable.

   

There have been reports that some Iraqis are pretending to surrender , and then open fire on U.S. and British forces ( sorry , but two or three countries doing the fighting don't sound like much of a coalition ) . This is one of the terrible things about war , both sides can and will do terrible things to gain the advantage . In Vietnam , Vietnamese combatants did not always dress in military uniforms , and often ambushed U.S. troops in ways that didn't conform to the usual rules of war . No doubt some Iraqis are prentending to surrender , and then " sucker punching " our forces as they try to accept a false surrender . Most of what I've been seeing on CNN is hour after hour of " experts " talking about the war , occassionaly interrupted by a few minutes of gun camera film , or some imbedded reporter talking about what the unit he is with did , or will do . The press seems pretty locked down on this whole thing , and I'd hate to speculate as to why . I guess we will all know a year from now after most people have forgotten about it .

The one thing that has suprised me totally is the resistance by the Iraqis . I figured they would quit wholesale after the first couple of days . I think many people ( myself included ) assumed that only Sadam and a few of his hard core followers would put up a fight . Perhaps more Iraqis hate the idea of being defeated , then they hate Sadam and are thus motivated to fight . No doubt some are forced fight and have a choice between death and DEATH , but I'm suprised that heavy resistance has been seen so far from Baghdad - Sadam apparently has a considerable grip on many Iraqis .

All of this got me to thinking " out of the box "over the past few days .Here's a little thought excercise for anybody to consider , especially if you live in a democracy . Imagine that your country is run by a cruel dictator , and that you have come to learn that you will be unharmed as long as you keep your mouth shut and give praise to the dictator . Prior to the dictator , your country was ruled by a colonial power , and prior to that , your nation had experienced various forms of rule over the centuries . You secretly yearn for more freedom , but you are fairly content because you have food and shelter and a fairly decent life . You have your family , and friends , and you have children and send them to school . You know of some fellow citizens who chose to oppose the government and paid for it with their lives . You secretly hate your government , but love your homeland , and like many humans around the world , you hope some day your children will have a better life then you have , and that someday the dictator will be gone .

You have now been invaded by a country that has infinintely superior military forces to those of your country . You and your fellow citizens have been sufferring from sanctions and frequent bombing from this country for years . On occassion , you have heard of innocent people being killed in strikes by this invader . More often though , you personally see infants and chidren die for lack of basic medical care . Your town doctor has been complaining for years about a massive and unexplained increase in the numbers of cancer cases that have occurred since your country fought the invaders many years earlier and were defeated . Your president tells you that the invaders will kill or enslave you , but some in your village don't believe it and secretly wait to surrender to the forces approaching . You want to believe that these invaders will end up helping your country , but you also know that their track record for many years has been questionable , and you suspect that much of your people's sufferring has been influenced by the actions of this invader . You even recall in the old days when the invader was considered a friend of your leader , and even helped you to fight against a common enemy . Now they say they want to liberate you and your country and they strongly suggest that you don't resist - What wil you do ?

   

"War does not determine who is right - only who is left."
-Bertrand Russell

"The military don't start wars. Politicians start wars."
-William Westmoreland

   

Acually most Iraqi's have adopted a wait and see attitude towards the Americans and British. Resitence comes from a small group of Saddam and Baath Party Loyalists who know they have everything to loose if Saddam falls. They remeber the uprisings in 1991 when Baath Party officals where hung from lamp posts by Shia rebels.

   

One thing is for sure , we damn sure better give the Iraqis the help we have promised them when all this is over .

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2884769.stm

   

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay. ... id=3251554

   

I don't think we, or the UN should help the Americans clean up the "mess" they are responsible for. They decided to invade a sovereign country against World opinion.
The Americans made their own bed, they can sleep in it.

   

Consider your self banned child...