http://www.guilfin.net/reports/?id=rwINET1754

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GuilFIN: What is the mood of people in Baghdad at the moment?

Roddy: Baghdad is the friendliest most generous place in the world. When people discover you're from the UK, they don't want to take your money for anything. Baghdad's hotels are full of weddings every night. Sex before marriage is forbidden, and hundreds of young men who are convinced they will be pulverised by US air-strikes are getting married quickly to discover 'what it's all about'. But people are also very worried. Families are stocking up on food and water and say they will fight until the last drop of blood if US forces enter the city.

The Iraqi's are a very proud people. The birth of human civilisation began here in Mesopotamia, literally, 'the land between two rivers', the Euphrates and the Tigris. How many people realise that the ancient city of Babylon (catchphrase for the worst excesses of Glastonbury) is right here in Iraq? It's very british, too. British architecture and 3 pin plugs.

GuilFIN: What do people think of the US, UK and other countries actions?

Roddy: People here have no quarrel with British and American citizens. Wherever we go, when people discover we're from London, they say with a huge smile, "Ah! Welcome, welcome, we've been waiting for you for so long...friends?". But they have no love for our 'leaders'. I visited a kitched in a Baghdad cafe the other day. The cook picked up a huge meat cleaver and drew it across his throat, "this, for George Bush!".

GuilFIN: How do local people regard the weapons inspections process?

Roddy: They're not interested. Iraq is a country crippled by 12 years of western imposed sanctions. Everything is 'old'. Iraq is a broken country, it's people are fed-up with war. No-one feels that Iraq possesses banned weapons. But even if it does, most here can't understand why America plans to invade Iraq but not Israel or Korea, both of whom have nuclear weapons.

GuilFIN: What impact is the protest movement in the UK and elsewhere having?

Roddy: Iraqi's working here with us were in tears watching pictures of people from all over the world taking to the streets to help them. That says it all.

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