Iraqis Struggle to Retrieve Goods from GIs

[kskiska]

BAGHDAD, Iraq — After the war, American soldiers referred to Iraqi looters as "Ali Babas." Now, the name is more commonly used by Iraqis to describe the soldiers.

This notion is flickering through the capital, propelled by word of mouth and amplified by anti-Western elements ready to exploit any hint of American misbehavior. Many Iraqis are convinced that the soldiers are here to rob them of money, jewelry and cars.

American military officials refused to discuss specific charges of theft by soldiers and disciplinary actions, but said that in most instances property believed stolen was more likely to have been confiscated during raids or at checkpoints.

That distinction matters little to Iraqis trying to recover their property.

Sgt. Thad Farlow, a civil affairs officer whose unit runs a civilian assistance center, said the complaints he heard stemmed from a mixture of negligence and actual misconduct. "It's kind of hard to win the hearts and minds when soldiers are taking $650 Thuraya phones," he said, referring to a type of satellite telephone.

more…
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/03/international/worldspecial/03THEF.html?ex=1060488000&en=f8abe2d679a21f9f&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

[karlschneider]

1. When I was in the USAF, I did a lot of administrative paperwork on airmen

who had stolen from -other- airmen (and were incarcerated)...I have no trouble believing that Army enlisted people would hesitate to steal from the occupied ones. In some ways, it's traditional.
:-(

[RedSock]

2. kick -- sad

Read this in the print version. What do we say? Winning hearts and minds?

Sad, just f*cking sad.