.AP Blog: Fourth of July Iraqi Style
Tuesday, July 4, 2006, 2 p.m. local time
BAGHDAD, Iraq - It's not easy to get to a party at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. We had to inch our way through traffic jams and undergo stepped up security checks. Cars were backed up even more than usual near the Green Zone as security details carrying Iraqi dignitaries burst through with sirens blaring and young men in camouflage waving their weapons dangerously from the backs of pickup trucks.
After being frisked and going through a metal detector, we boarded buses to the embassy annex in Saddam Hussein's former Republic Palace. I was dressed in jeans and a light shirt in expectation of a downhome Fourth of July barbecue and chuckled a bit when three Iraqi men boarded my bus wearing suits and ties - that is until we arrived at the palace and I discovered that everybody was decked out in business attire. Apparently I missed the memo that this was a formal affair, but there was nowhere to hide so I trudged in and hoped nobody would notice.
A few hundred people - Iraqi dignitaries, as well as American diplomats and generals in their best camouflage - gathered in a marble ballroom where red, white and blue balloons hung from a chandelier and beads decorated tables. Arabic rugs and inscriptions also lined the walls, a reminder of the palace's former occupant.
With the Iraqi prime minister out of town seeking regional support for his national reconciliation plan, the Kurdish President Jalal Talabani took the stage with U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and Gen. George Casey, the top U.S. commander in Iraq.
Two American flags and two Iraqi flags stood on the stage and the anthems of both countries were played by a U.S. and British band. The formal ceremonies began with the presentation of the flag by U.S. Marines who marched in front of the stage.
The Iraqi president gave the first address, followed by a musical break of "By Land and In Sea" and "God Bless America."
The U.S. ambassador, wearing a dark suit and red tie, compared America's struggle for freedom with the current problems faced by Iraqis and promised them continued support.
Then we got a taste of pop culture as the winner of the U.S. Embassy's version of "American Idol" sang "God Bless the U.S.A."
Finally, it was time to eat, with a buffet of hamburgers, shish kebabs and of course hot dogs mingling with more local fare of tabouli and hummus. The dessert selection ranged from brownies to cake decorated with an American flag and an ice cream bar that included chocolate sauce. Being a coffee addict, I headed straight for the espresso cafe set up for the occasion.
While I missed the smell of the coals from the grill that I usually associate with Independence Day, I must admit it was a welcome change from my usual menu of chicken and vegetables back at the office.
As we left, guests were given free copies of de Tocqueville's "Democracy in America" - in Arabic of course.
- Kim Gamel
MyWay ~AP Blog
Cuban coffee, I make the best Cuban coffee this side of La Havana
BAGHDAD, Iraq - It's not easy to get to a party at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. We had to inch our way through traffic jams and undergo stepped up security checks. Cars were backed up even more than usual near the Green Zone as security details carrying Iraqi dignitaries burst through with sirens blaring and young men in camouflage waving their weapons dangerously from the backs of pickup trucks.
After being frisked and going through a metal detector, we boarded buses to the embassy annex in Saddam Hussein's former Republic Palace. I was dressed in jeans and a light shirt in expectation of a downhome Fourth of July barbecue and chuckled a bit when three Iraqi men boarded my bus wearing suits and ties - that is until we arrived at the palace and I discovered that everybody was decked out in business attire. Apparently I missed the memo that this was a formal affair, but there was nowhere to hide so I trudged in and hoped nobody would notice.
A few hundred people - Iraqi dignitaries, as well as American diplomats and generals in their best camouflage - gathered in a marble ballroom where red, white and blue balloons hung from a chandelier and beads decorated tables. Arabic rugs and inscriptions also lined the walls, a reminder of the palace's former occupant.
With the Iraqi prime minister out of town seeking regional support for his national reconciliation plan, the Kurdish President Jalal Talabani took the stage with U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and Gen. George Casey, the top U.S. commander in Iraq.
Two American flags and two Iraqi flags stood on the stage and the anthems of both countries were played by a U.S. and British band. The formal ceremonies began with the presentation of the flag by U.S. Marines who marched in front of the stage.
The Iraqi president gave the first address, followed by a musical break of "By Land and In Sea" and "God Bless America."
The U.S. ambassador, wearing a dark suit and red tie, compared America's struggle for freedom with the current problems faced by Iraqis and promised them continued support.
Then we got a taste of pop culture as the winner of the U.S. Embassy's version of "American Idol" sang "God Bless the U.S.A."
Finally, it was time to eat, with a buffet of hamburgers, shish kebabs and of course hot dogs mingling with more local fare of tabouli and hummus. The dessert selection ranged from brownies to cake decorated with an American flag and an ice cream bar that included chocolate sauce. Being a coffee addict, I headed straight for the espresso cafe set up for the occasion.
While I missed the smell of the coals from the grill that I usually associate with Independence Day, I must admit it was a welcome change from my usual menu of chicken and vegetables back at the office.
As we left, guests were given free copies of de Tocqueville's "Democracy in America" - in Arabic of course.
- Kim Gamel
MyWay ~AP Blog
Cuban coffee, I make the best Cuban coffee this side of La Havana
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