Living in the shadow of tanks (Another good UPI story from Iraq)

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20040408-053346-7778r

<snip>"We are all Iraqis and we are defending our homes and families. Sistani and Sadr will not go against each other," Mohammed says, after consulting with a Mehdi Army guide who was with the visitors.

As the conversation continues over tea, commotion breaks out in the street outside. Five U.S. soldiers have left their tank and entered the neighborhood against all rational thinking. This neighborhood is a hornet's nest for any American military vehicle not heavily armored, let alone for several foot soldiers.

"Where the f... are those reporters?" shouts one soldier to the Iraqi crowd of deeply religious Muslims.

The reporter quickly asks the neighbors -- some of whom have disappeared undoubtedly to take up weapons on the rooftops -- not to attack the soldiers while he speaks with them.

"What the hell are you doing here," the sergeant in command of the four-man patrol says to the reporters. "You are putting yourself at grave risk by being here." He's obviously unaware of the irony -- that the reporters are guests of the neighborhood and that his life was likely saved by their presence, not the other way around.

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