Peace Between Peoples Update: Najaf 4-28-04

Hello everyone, and thanks for your many messages of support and
encouragement!

We are well and safe here, despite fighting on the edge of town the night
before last. We are taking precautions for our safety, as there is much talk
of an immanent attack on the city, but life seems to be going on. I guess
this is "normal" for them. Sad, isn't it.

It occurs to me that we may be, ironically, in one of the safest places in
Iraq... because there are no US forces inside the city. The same was true in
Kerbala, I realize. Places like Baghdad and Fallujah are dangerous precisely
because the US is there, and the resistance is attacking them. That makes
them nervous and trigger-happy, because they know that they are targets.
Here in Najaf, for example, an American convoy was passing on the edge of
town (hard to know the exact limits,as our mobility is limited), and one of
the vehicles in the convoy got a flat tire. They pulled over, and a taxi
following behind went around to pass them. Soldiers ordered them to stop,
but for whatever reason... panic, fear, not understanding the commands...
they didn't. The soldiers opened fire, killing one and wounding the other.

We have heard many stories of callous brutality, ignorance or indifference
to local customs, and disproportionate use of force. A reporter yesterday
told us "they always use cluster bombs" and told stories (he saw this up in
north) of US soldiers firing into a hospital through the doors and windows,
killing old people and even nurses in uniform.

There is no time to write more now. We are preparing to confront the US
military at their nearest base, which is the campus of a local college,
which contains a teaching hospital (with 400 of the 900 beds in Najaf). Here
too, a few days ago, a car pulling up to the hospital (not knowing it had
been taken over by the military) was fired on, killing the occupants. On the
way here, leaving Kerbala, we passed another military base and saw a sign
that said "Guards will fire without warning." They really mean it.

We are counting on our obvious non-arab appearance, with banners and a white
flag, and the presence of media crews, to protect us, and keep their fingers
off the trigger. We have called the hospital, and the CPA office in Baghdad,
as well as the local people, so that everyone knows what is going on. We
want no surprises, and expect that we will not be shot on sight, as is the
case with the local people.

I have to go now, for our final planning meeting. We will post a more
comprehensive report and press release later today, I trust, but I wanted to
send something, however brief.

Thank you all for your prayers and messages of support and encouragement
from around the world. We have not been able to answer all of the messages
we have received, but will try. Please be patient. Our spirits are strong;
we feel your support, and it strengthens us.


Mario