[Birds Chirping]
[Explosion]
[Gunshot, Distant]
[Rooster Crows]
- [Phone Ringing] - [Woman Chattering In Arabic]
[Speaking Arabic]
[Chuckling]
[Girl]
♪♪ [Man Singing In Arabic]
♪♪ [Continues]
♪♪ [Fades]
Salaam alaikum.
[Speaking Arabic]
We have this little mantra we're using and that is: “Think about February 1.”
On February 1, what you really are concerned about–
Here, sort of, you boil down your end state–
How you want to think about what it is you wanna do with your security system.
You have to think, “Okay. February 1, I am”–
I don't mean to be disparaging here, but you're Joe Iraqi.
You wanna think about what is Joe Iraqi gonna think...
On February 1 after all these elections have happened?
Because spoilers are gonna stand up everywhere...
And try to make the case that these elections were illegitimate.
And you want to say, “Okay. I'm Joe Reasonable Iraqi.
Am I gonna buy their argument?”
What I'm trying to make with that point is that I don't really care what the international–
I don't care what Denmark thinks about these elections.
I don't really care what happens with those international observers personally.
Yeah, we gotta protect them, but notice, I put 'em almost last on the list.
I personally don't care about 'em 'cause I don't–
I only care about what Denmark thinks about these elections...
To the extent that Denmark can somehow lend some legitimacy to the process...
And convince Joe Iraqi that they were in fact legitimate.
Primarily, what I care about is Joe Iraqi's opinion.
I don't think Joe Iraqi cares about Jimmy Carter so much.
The number one threat to this elections process...
Is the disenfranchisement of a willing minority voting sect.
Quite frankly, if Sadr City doesn't vote, you lost a whole bunch of Shia voters...
But there's a lot of Shia voters out there.
If Fallujah and Ramadi don't vote, you lost far fewer voters...
But they're of a key minority voting sect...
That doesn't have a lot of voters to spare.
Sunni voters in particular are the ones we're concerned about.
[Clucking]
[Speaking Arabic]
[Man On TV Speaking Arabic]
- [Applause] - [Man] Good evening. Thank you very much.
I've got a very simple mission here, uh, in Baghdad.
It was to come and kind of put the stamp on this mission...
That shows that the U.S. Department of State has planted the flag.
And we're gonna run this show better than anybody ever thought was possible.
And if we're successful, and we fully intend to be...
It's an endeavor that'll change the face of the Middle East.
Salaam alaikum.
[Dr. Riyadh]
[All Chattering]
[Man]
[All Chattering]
- This is type of punishment. - Yes.
This type of punishment, they can't bear it, because they are children.
We have looked through every one of these files.
These juveniles are dangerous.
[Speaking Arabic]
[Chattering]
[Man] Okay. Hello everybody.
So the first step as always is a briefing on where we are.
The commission has decided on the timing for the voter registration...
Which is 1st of November to 15th of December.
The commission has not yet established officially the date...
For the certification of political entities and candidate lists...
But it will have to happen during November.
There are 13.9 million eligible voters.
The registration kits are all in Iraq...
As of a couple hours ago.
The distribution to the different food warehouses all over the governorate...
Has already started and, uh–
And it will be completed in a couple of days.
[People Chattering]
[Chattering]
[Woman On Radio Speaking Arabic]
[Chattering]
Okay, as far as elections go...
We're carrying these election smart cards in our Humvees.
It gives you the basic generic answers if, uh, a local Iraqi wants to ask you something.
'Cause right now we're getting told we're hands off.
No face of American, or coalition forces on the elections.
Hey, today, unfortunately, we gotta do some time on Route Oilers.
Take senators out over 14 July Bridge.
Go down on Tennessee, spend, uh–
Should probably drive Ohio and Illinois too just to vary our routes around sector.
Hey, come here. You, come here.
- You, come here. - I can't.
- Come here. - I can't.
- Well, I'm coming there. - Forget it. You can't come in here.
What was the deal with his arm? With the arm?
[Speaking Arabic]
- He was just– with the music? - Yeah.
Tell him it looked like he was making a gesture like he wanted to shoot at us.
[Speaking Arabic]
Okay, okay, okay.
♪♪ [Man Singing In Arabic]
[Sirens Wailing]
- [Men Cheering On TV] - [Gunfire On TV]
[Machine Guns Firing]
[Man On TV]
[People Chattering]
[Man On TV #2]
[Dr. Riyadh]
[Crowd Cheering]
[Chanting]
[Jet Passes]
[Chanting Continues]
[Man Speaking Arabic]
And I do understand that the conditions here make elections seem very, very doubtful...
And credible elections very, very doubtful.
I am not completely hopeless they could be done.
I've seen it happen in other places, and I think that it can happen here.
The important thing for the elections, of course...
Is that people believe in the elections...
That they believe in the process.
And that is one of the big challenges of the commission...
To convince the Iraqi people that they are organizing a process...
That is– that is transparent, that is nonpartisan...
That is not manipulated, and that will allow them to express their voice.
And we as the international community, under the U.N. umbrella...
Will be doing our best to support their effort.
- [Man] I got your message. - [Dr. Riyadh] Yes, thank you.
Shall we sit for a half an hour to discuss some things?
- If you would like to. - Yes.
[Chattering]
What is the misunderstanding point...
That leads to this aggression of a city?
Many innocent people were killed.
It is a process of mass killing.
This is not Vietnam and this is not a– We are now in a new century.
This behavior is an upsetting behavior...
Especially for us in Adhamiya...
Because you know that most of our people...
Have relatives in Fallujah.
Also the Islamic leaders of Sunnis are from Fallujah.
They have no food, no blankets, no roof.
This is a shame.
The war had been over since last May...
But it seems to be continuous.
- I've heard everything that you've said. - Thank you.
Some of what you've said has touched me in my heart.
When the people feel despondence...
And using the violence with them, aggressive force with them...
Their reaction increasing.
And it will– I-I expect that it will increase. It will not decrease.
[Siren Blaring]
[Woman On TV Speaking Arabic]
[Woman]
[Chattering]
This is the chemical material.
[Chattering]
[Coughing]
[Chattering]
[Helicopter Passes]
We've just had a report of a car bomb out near the hospital.
Can you tell me if the airport's still open or if you've heard anything about it?
Yeah, out near the hospital.
We've got a load that we're gonna take out to the airport now.
We just wanted to see if you knew anything about it...
'Cause if the airport's shut down, we'll have to leave the stuff here.
This event was about 20 minutes ago.
[Man] We're loading now. We should be out of here within five minutes.
[Man On Radio] Roger.
- [Speaking Arabic] - Tell me it's not so.
It's not in the hospital.
[Speaking Arabic]
Just don't hit anyone, Scott.
[Tires Screeching]
Uh, look, the thing I want to talk about is the threat.
More than likely, they will attempt to have spectacular events...
That will get themselves some form of news coverage for their cause...
And probably kill a lot of people.
So that may well occur prior to the actual polling day.
It may be in the lead-up period.
Just remember that the threat in the Sunni areas...
Is always gonna be high.
Pretty likely that they'll attempt...
To disrupt the election process in the non-Sunni areas.
So in other words, areas in– in the Kurdish areas and in the south...
Were there's large groups of people meeting...
Are going to be likely to be targeted.
Any questions on the threat?
- [Explosion] - [Screams]
[Gunfire]
[Explosion]
[Machine Guns Firing, Distant]
[Gunshot]
[Machine Gun Firing]
[Gunfire Continues, Distant]
[Chattering]
[Woman]
♪♪ [Man Singing On P.A.]
♪♪ [Continues]
At the moment, we have a– we have a new contract.
And I need to–
I need to raise another 20 teams.
- And I need to do this very quickly. - [Man] Yeah.
In order to do this quickly and to be able to equip them correctly...
I need to buy some– some weapons and ammunition.
And, uh–
And obviously, we need to buy weapons that are within the budget...
So what I wanted to talk to you about is what is available...
And how quickly can you get it, and, you know, what the prices are.
- We have AK-47, the short one. - Yes?
It's, uh– The new one–
The new one, you will buy it by $550 to $600.
- 550? - Yeah
- This is AK-47 short? - Short.
- New. - Yeah.
- R.P.D. - R.P.D.
R.P.D., uh...
I need, uh–
Let's see, uh, two– I need 40 of those.
- Forty? - Forty, yeah.
I need, uh...
Fifty AK-47, normal, Russian.
Can you see if you can get that for $200 each, yeah?
- Yeah, maybe cheaper. - Maybe cheaper, yeah?
- And we have Bulgarian. - Bulgarian, yeah?
- It's cost 350 to 400. - So how much is the–
So the AK-47, normal, 200 to 250, where is that made? Which one?
We have Russian, also we have China.
- Russian's better. - Of course.
[Chuckles]
I would like to, uh, have my people test fire them first, eh?
- To make sure they work. - Yeah.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
[Chattering]
Today, we're leaving a little bit late.
Uh, but in the future...
Can all drivers just make sure that the vehicles are ready to go?
[Speaking Foreign Language]
[Gun Cocks]
[Speaking Foreign Language]
[Towndrow] Roger. How many can you fit in, you reckon?
- [Man On Radio] Probably three. - All three?
- All three. - [Mutters]
[Towndrow] I think the next couple of days I'm just going to spend sleeping.
[Chattering]
♪♪ [Man Singing In Arabic]
♪♪ [Continues]
[Chattering]
And I told you I have guys better than even these guys.
If you need for dangerous area, just let me know.
They can go now to Fallujah. They don't care.
We want this election just to show, like a show.
Not more, otherwise, we don't believe this election.
How you can make election in this situation? Let's see how it is.
Again, I'm not optimistic about the election. There will not be election.
They will delay it, maybe six months.
'Cause I think George Bush wants this to happen on the 30th of January.
If they can't make it the 30th of January, they'll make it soon after.
George Bush can say everything that he wants.
I know. We are agree with– We like America. We are pro-Americans.
Especially my tribe, my family, we are pro-Americans, pro-coalition.
But when something is wrong, it's wrong. When you–
You are my friend, but when you make mistakes...
I have to tell you that this is wrong, this right.
George Bush can say what he likes, but he can not control the situation.
Look, after two years, everything is getting better? No.
You go to Baghdad. There is no power, no water, no security, nothing.
[Siren Blaring, Distant]
[Gunfire, Distant]
[Speaking Arabic]
- All right, sir. This is 100,000. - Yes.
- Each one inside is 10,000. - Yes.
This is– This is 80,000.
[Helicopter Whirring]
[Radio Chatter, Indistinct]
[Man] Uh, there's a lot of anti– Now we're seeing a lot more anti-American sentiments.
I don't know if you can read 'em all there.
The one in the upper left says, “Fake You, U.S.A.”
Because they don't quite have “fuck you” down, okay?
They got “fake you” because they don't quite have the spelling part down, but they got it on there, okay?
And that's what they're saying. That's what they're trying to say there.
Vietnam Street. This was painted right on the side of the building.
And what you can't read there in the small lettering it says...
“We'll make your graves in this place.”
Okay? So just be aware that when you're in these areas...
This is some of the sentiment of the people you're gonna see around.
Now, as bad as all that seems...
If you can't see it, it says, “Still safer here than at Michael Jackson's.”
[Laughing]
Bad things can happen, and you guys need to be prepared for this.
These are two interpreters that got killed, Ali on the left and Riyadh to the right.
They were targeted. Uh, a vehicle pulled across in front of them.
Another truck pulled up beside them. Gunmen jumped up out of the back of the truck.
And killed them with multiple AK-47 fire.
[Inhales]
[Voice Wavering] We miss those guys everyday.
[Sniffles]
Excuse me.
They were a part of our team. [Clears Throat]
It's not all bad. You can have some fun.
While you're out on patrol, you can have some fun.
These are guys from our team. You talk to the populace. You talk to the kids.
The guys riding a donkey there. You can have some fun.
It's not all bad.
[Speaking Arabic]
- [Grunts] - [Speaks Arabic]
[Speaking Arabic]
[Woman On Radio]
[Chattering]
[Man]
- Captain Kim? - Yeah, I am.
Just so you understand what we're doing.
The voter registration phase that we are contracted to provide security for...
Finishes for us on the 17th of December.
We are now doing the security for the ballot phase as well.
What we want to try and achieve now is to conduct reconnaissance...
Of each of the warehouses that we will use.
Well, actually, I was trying to help as much as I can.
Yeah. Uh, part of the misunderstanding...
Is the fact that there's a security company involved...
In providing this sort of support.
And the reason they're doing this is because...
They want the elections to look as Iraqi as possible.
- I understand that. - They don't want uniformed soldiers.
And I guess one of the ways they could achieve that is to use a security company.
[Speaking Foreign Language]
- Now this is just for– - They expect to receive...
Anywhere between 1,470–
Sorry, 1,700 to 2,000 boxes simply for–
[Woman On TV]
[Man Speaking Arabic]
[Speaks Arabic]
[Speaking Arabic]
[Woman On Radio] Sunni pullout V.O., Baghdad bomb V.O. and terror video V.O. Stand by.
[Man On TV] Iraq's top Sunni announces...
It is withdrawing from next month's election.
A live report now from Fox's David Piper in Baghdad. David?
Hi, John. Yes. The decision by the top Sunni party...
To actually withdraw their candidates...
Is potentially a damaging blow for the credibility of the election here on January 30.
Now the head of the Iraqi Islamic Party says...
The persistent violence will stop people from voting...
In the north and the west of the country where the Sunni are concentrated.
Meanwhile, there has been more violence linked to the election today.
A suicide bomber detonated his car at the gate–
♪♪ [Man Singing In Arabic]
- [Man] That's still on for China, right? - [Man #2] Yeah.
So we should be– with China, we should have everything...
Shipped out of there by the 18th.
I'm anticipating between North America and, uh, Europe...
Everything should be shipped out of there by the 19th.
Yeah, the sensitive materials should be the first thing to move forward to the warehouses...
And the non-sensitive material like the plastic ballot boxes and lids...
Can sit on the ramp for hours as far as we're concerned.
- That's not a showstopper. - Once we get that flight off...
It looks a little better as far as ballots being in country.
[Radio Chatter In Foreign Language]
[Man] You've run 14 elections, right?
- Yeah. I've been involved in 14 elections. - Been involved with 14 elections.
How does this one differ from the previous elections?
- You know, it– - Specifically.
Not because of the level of violence.
Uh, I mean, that's been the one factor that, uh, everybody is focused on.
What makes this election a lot more complicated than any other...
Is that it holds the interest of so many actors...
Uh, and it is the focus of so much attention.
What about the withdrawal of the Sunni Iraqi Islamic Party?
Once you are–
Once the certification period is finished, you can't withdraw.
For a very simple reason: The ballot paper is immediately designed and printed.
What will happen is that their name will be on the ballot.
So voters can obviously decide to vote for them...
And those votes will have to be counted.
So later we will have the situation...
Where it is very likely that one of those parties...
Uh, that have withdrawn will have people elected.
So it will be up to the individual candidates then to determine whether they...
Decide to accept the seat that they won or not.
[Dr. Riyadh]
Shields up. Drag step.
[Man Speaking Arabic]
[Chattering]
We're gonna be talking about election security.
[Speaking Arabic]
Policing in a democracy.
[Speaking Arabic]
And you're gonna see that democracy policing is somewhat different.
[Speaking Arabic]
What you are involved in here is a very important process.
You are coming to your first election.
You folks are gonna be on television all over the world.
[Speaking Arabic]
You have the front row...
Of one of the best shows that's gonna be in the world.
[Speaking Arabic]
You are gonna be in the history books.
Your country is filled with much history, and I want you to remember that.
- [In English] Election for show? - For sure?
- No. You say “show.” - Show.
- What meaning of show? - Because everybody looks at it as a show.
- They're gonna be watching on television. - [Speaking Arabic]
- Just a show? - No it's not a show, show.
- It's gonna be a real live history. - Yes.
[Man Speaking Arabic]
- It's different. - Yeah.
A show and–
It's very nice. I've been to many hospitals in Baghdad.
This is very nice compared to the hospitals.
How many doctors work here?
- We are 12 doctors. - Twelve, okay.
How do you support the clinic?
We are supporting the– All the doctors are volunteers.
I see.
Let me just ask you personally, how large is your family?
- I have six children. - You have six children.
- Four daughters and two sons. - Mm-hmm.
And what do they think of you running for, uh– for council in the elections?
What did your family say when you told them?
- It is an upsetting process for them. - Mm-hmm.
Because it means that we add more risk for my family.
Mm-hmm.
And the people which have been threatened us...
- they don't know me. - Right.
We regard ourself as a resistance, but a civil resistance.
- We are working– - A political resistance.
Yes. A civil type of resistance.
I love my country...
My district, my neighborhood, my people.
I will work with them till the last minute of my life.
[Speaking Arabic]
[Woman Chattering]
[Chattering]
[Speaking Arabic]
Salaam alaikum.
Uh, I know that there many people who are calling for a postponement of the elections.
Like my newspaper, I think, has supported, uh, a postponement.
But– But it's obvious now, with only one week left...
That the elections are going to happen, there's not going to be a postponement.
So the party is still on the ballot right now.
What is your opinion that people should do?
What will you yourself do? Will you take part, will you not take part?
What is your opinion about what should be done on election day?
We are pushing our party to share in the province.
Because Baghdad– Baghdad is an important.
We have an important governorate.
So you would like to take part in the provincial–
Yes, in the province now.
In the province now, we are waiting till the decision of the party.
We have to wait till they decide about this thing.
Your talking about your party– the top members of your party?
And what about, uh, the Iraqi Islamic Party?
How many names are on your list of candidates for the Baghdad Provincial Council?
- Fifty-one. - Fifty-one?
- And where is your name on that list? - Second.
You're number two. Okay.
So you will almost certainly get enough votes to get a seat.
I've been in Baghdad for one year...
And I know the party has a lot of support here.
Okay. Moving on to M.M.D. Baghdad. Over.
We need an update, uh, as to where you stand...
With regards to your warehouse stockage levels.
Do you have all of your stock? Do you have sufficient warehouse personnel?
If not, are you gonna be able to make your deliveries for the 29th? Over.
[Man On Radio] We've got 29 of the 32 pieces in the four warehouses are set.
We anticipate all 32 to be up and operational tonight.
Okay, moving on to M.M.D. Center-South. Over.
It's still pretty sketchy down at Center-South. We're not feeling real comfortable.
You know, tomorrow is the 26th and we're–
We're within about three and a half to four days to executing this thing here...
And, uh, maybe behind the scenes all this is working out...
But right now, just based on the report, not feeling real confident about it.
Moving over to Northeast. Over.
[Man]
[Dr. Riyadh]
- [Chattering] - Shh.
[Line Ringing]
[Chattering]
[Sobbing]
- Where's the polling site? Left or right? - Right.
Yeah, take a right.
[Man Chattering]
I think some of the places need these registration form books that we have too.
- Does she need us to go in? - No, actually–
I don't really wanna go in. I want them to go in.
That way if anybody's taking photos or anything like that...
They see Iraqis hauling this stuff in to all the different polling sites.
We've already seen some people trailing us.
So it's– Yeah, I told my gunners. I raised the R.O.E.
If somebody comes in on us, we're probably gonna light 'em up.
[Explosion, Distant]
[Woman On TV Speaking English] Never before, have elections been held...
In conditions quite like this.
There were two car bombs in Baghdad today.
One targeted a police station, the second, a school likely to be a polling center.
Along with this kind of campaigning...
There's been another campaign of intimidation by militants.
Here in Baghdad, chilling leaflets have been distributed...
Threatening to wash the streets with the blood of voters...
And to turn queues at polling stations into lines of death.
[Dr. Riyadh]
[Woman]
[Dr. Riyadh]
[Chattering]
[Woman]
[Birds Chirping]
[Explosion]
[Gunshot, Distant]
[Man]
They're gonna hit something, and they're gonna hit something big.
In fact, the “frago” for today, the BOLO vehicle...
Is a white Toyota corolla, no Baghdad plates, but...
There's a side note that the BOLO today...
Is anything suspicious, 'cause a lot of cars aren't supposed to be moving today.
♪♪ [Man Singing In Arabic]
♪♪ [Continues]
[Dr. Riyadh]
[Woman]
[Man]
[Woman]
[Scarcliff] Most everybody's treating it like it's a big holiday today.
Let's get out and party.
Hang a right on Tennessee.
[Woman Speaking Arabic]
[Woman]
♪♪ [Man Singing In Arabic]
[Clucking]
♪♪ [Continues]
♪♪ [Ends]
- ♪♪ [Woman Singing] - [Door Opens, Closes]
[Woman]
♪♪ [Singing]
[Woman Chattering]
[Chattering Continues]
[Man On TV]
[Enas]
♪♪ [Middle Eastern On Radio]
[Dr. Riyadh]
[Woman]
[Chattering Continues]
[Man]
♪♪ [Man Singing In Arabic]
♪♪ [Continues]
[Speaking Arabic]
[Chattering Continues]
I congratulate the people of Iraq...
On this great and historic achievement.
Thank you very much.
[Woman On TV] U.S. president George W. Bush there...
Calling the Iraqi election a resounding success–
[Towndrow] That'll put me into nine months I've spent in this country.
- [Chuckles] Just think of the money, dude. - Yeah.
[Dr. Riyadh Speaking]
[Dr. Riyadh]
[Phone Ringing]
[Dr. Riyadh]
[Woman]
My mother feels so happy.
[Chattering]
[Man On TV]
[Man #2]
[Chattering]
[Chattering Continues]
♪♪ [Man Singing In Arabic]
♪♪ [Continues]
[Man Speaking Arabic]
♪♪ [Continues]
♪♪ [Ends]