Recent comment from acquaintance of mine who contracted to the Green Zone: "I underestimated the stress level over here."http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000884459War Reporters at ASNE Say Iraq Remains FrighteningBy Andrew Ackerman
Published: April 15, 2005 11:00 PM ET
WASHINGTON, D.C. Despite the elections in Iraq and recent decline in American deaths there, violence and danger to reporters remains at very high levels, a panel of war reporters said on Friday. They also countered claims that the press has been too negative in its reporting from Iraq, pointing out that there is still quite a bit to be negative about.
- snip -
Chandrasekaran, who's on book leave from the Post, said it came to a point where security was all-consuming. His bureau moved into a fortress, a compound surrounded by 17-foot high blast walls, Kalashnikov-toting guards and a sniper on the roof. Like many other papers, the Post hired a security consultant, a retired SAS officer for $2,000 a day. The reporters only left the compound in two-car convoys, with an armored car in the lead and a second vehicle full of heavily armed guards behind.
- snip -
The reporters said American papers have done an accurate job portraying the grimness of the violence in Iraq. Allam portrayed a country so unwieldy that she said she doubted Americans could withdraw entirely anytime soon.
"I think that there could be a significant decrease in troops there," Allam said.
"But when you see these bases, these are not makeshift tent cities. They poured in millions and millions of dollars into these facilities. It's clear that they're there to stay."MORE AT LINK