主题：【评论】美伊战争，出路何在？ -- Highway

Locals Miss Americans in Southern Iraqi City

Wed November 5, 2003 01:04 PM ET

By Luke Baker

DIWANIYA (Reuters) - U.S. forces have been criticized for heavy-handedness in many parts of Iraq, but in the bustling riverside city of Diwaniya, residents long to have them back.

Spanish soldiers took over responsibility for the city from United States troops back in July, and while the Europeans are seen to be fair and firm overseers, many in the city say they miss the Americans' warmth and openness.

"The Americans have a good culture, they got along with us and integrated with us -- they brought down the barriers," said Ala Saleh, 41, a high school teacher in the city, which lies about 110 miles south of Baghdad.

"The Spanish are good and they keep things under control, but the Americans are better," he said Wednesday.

Others backed that view, emphasizing the gap between what the Americans and the Europeans have achieved during their time in command, without necessarily criticizing the Spanish.

"The Americans did a lot of work, they fixed up buildings and offices, got schools going, gave us jobs," said Hussein Fadel, who was hired as a security guard by U.S. forces.

"They were flexible and communicative, whereas, unfortunately, it's not easy to communicate with the Spanish."

That is largely the result of the language barrier, with many Iraqis able to speak a few words of English -- and keen to repeat any American slang they've heard -- but very few capable of understanding any Spanish.

But it may also reflect the fact U.S. troops arrived in the euphoria following Saddam Hussein's fall and launched quick-start projects, often with cash from the old regime's bank accounts.

In cities like Diwaniya, which largely escaped fighting during the war that overthrew Saddam, U.S. forces were able to repair buildings, fix schools and provide jobs, quickly winning "hearts and minds" in the process.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Now, as the United States passes security and peacekeeping responsibilities on to other members of its coalition such as Spain, Poland and Hungary, locals are comparing the efforts of the new arrivals to the impact the Americans achieved.

In Diwaniya, security guards hired by the United States were originally being paid $160 a month. But the Spanish cut that to $75, one guard said. And while the Americans paid $20 for any weapons handed in, the Spanish don't pay anything.

With cash running out from the old government accounts and local people now looking for more than quick fixes, the problems the Spanish face could also arise for other troops around the country, regardless of their nationality.

Spanish forces patrolling the streets of Diwaniya say they're happy with the work they're doing and feel they get a good response from the locals.

As the Spanish Legion went on patrol, young boys gave the soldiers a thumbs up and smiled. But older residents were less happy.

"The Spanish don't give us anything, they don't give us jobs," said Kareem Hassan, 26, who used to work as a translator for the Americans but is now unemployed.

"They're good at keeping things calm, but now we need something more." Previous 1| 2