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Baghdad Awaits Bush

(Maariv) - Amit Cohen In their latest round of interviews in Iraq three months ago, the Belgian-based International Crisis Group researchers were surprised to hear unprecedented opinions, with a new willingness to speak freely, even in public. Many Iraqis supported an American attack and hoped the American "occupation" would last a long time. According to Yost Hilterman, the institute's director for the Middle East, "The Iraqi people anticipate change, and perhaps because of this they spoke more freely and were less afraid." To return to the normalcy that most seek, they understand the need for outside help. "We have nothing to lose," said one young Baghdad architect. "Look at the Gulf States. Their governments bow to the Americans and their people eat much better than we do."
2003-03-03 00:00:00
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