From: Whitehead, Michael (USA) Sent: Friday, February 13, 2004 10:22 AM Subject: Looking at Iran
Finally, through the haze of this blustery day, I saw them – the mountains of Iran. When we arrived at the border I saw a scene out of the television news, or a movie. The scene resembled the fevered chaos and organization of an ant colony. No vehicles could cross the border, so there was a laborious process of unloading the baggage from the vehicles on to carts for the walk across the border. Numerous men hired out themselves and their carts for this service. In some of the carts were even old women and children. The road in front of us filled with carts, pedestrians, vehicles and border guards frantically trying to clear a path for our vehicle. For some reason in this culture otherwise indolent police or security officials will spring into action at the sight of a Coalition vehicle, especially if it involves ordering other Iraqis out of our way.
- Excerpt from "Messages from Babylon"
Colonel Michael Whitehead at the Iranian border in February 2004.
COL Bede Strong watching the foot traffic at the Iranian border. Notice the carts for the luggage, which were a big rental business at the border.
The view from Iraq toward Iran.
In February 2004 Lt Alicia Galvany (l) and I at the mud hut on the Iran-Iraq border where passports were stamped.
The view toward from Iraq from the mud hut passport office.
No vehicles were allowed across the border. Travelers arrived by bus or car, transferred the luggage to carts, and then walked across the border.
MICHAEL WHITEHEAD, Author & Writer Web Design: Sara Whitehead Technical Consultant: Lindsey Whitehead
