We now have reached the nadir of American cultural imperialism- "Baghdad Disney"- presumably the 'happiest place in Iraq,' a predictabley ill-conceived and ill-advised plan to Americanize Iraq. And what benefit is this to the poor Iraqi people? Werner is just another in a long line of American profiteers desperately trying to squeeze another dollar out of our country. What really pisses me off is Werners cheap and obvious attempt to mask his Baghdad Disney as a some kind of humanitarian effort.
quote:
“The people need this kind of positive influence. It’s going to have a huge psychological impact,” Mr Werner said.
I can just picture the scene, hundereds of GI's whooping it up on the skate park and paying Werner for the priveledge with no Iraqi kids in sight.
How long will it be before Sadr or one of the other clerics decides to issue a fatwa against the use of skateboards calling them 'un-islamic'? $500 million dollars might have been better spent supplying Iraqis with clean potable water or stable electricity but then again nothing surprises me anymore. This is the most ludicrous thing I've ever heard, and glaring proof that the US is the most jingoistic, culturally chauvinistic country in the world. This is an insult to the dignity of our people. Who wants to bet that booby trapped skateboards will become the next trend?
'Disneyland' comes to Baghdad with multi-million pound entertainment park
Llewellyn Werner admits he is facing obstacles most amusement park developers never have to deal with – insurgent attacks and looting. When you are building an amusement park in downtown Baghdad, those risks come with the territory. Mr Werner, chairman of C3, a Los Angeles-based holding company for private equity firms, is pouring millions of dollars into developing the Baghdad Zoo and Entertainment Experience, a massive American-style amusement park that will feature a skateboard park, rides, a concert theatre and a museum. It is being designed by the firm that developed Disneyland. “The people need this kind of positive influence. It’s going to have a huge psychological impact,” Mr Werner said. The 50-acre (20 hectare) swath of land sits adjacent to the Green Zone and encompasses Baghdad’s existing zoo, which was looted, left without power and abandoned after the American-led invasion in 2003. Only 35 of 700 animals survived – some starved, some were stolen and some were killed by Iraqis fearing food shortages. In the years that followed, the zoo and the surrounding al-Zawra park became an occasional target for insurgent attacks. But in recent months, families have begun to return cautiously for weekend picnics. Renovations have already begun on the zoo, with cages being repainted and new animals arriving, including ostriches, bears and a lion. Mr Werner, who has been sold a 50-year lease on the site by the Mayor of Baghdad for an undisclosed sum, says that the time is ripe for the amusement park. “I think people will embrace it. They’ll see it as an opportunity for their children regardless if they’re Shia or Sunni. They’ll say their kids deserve a place to play and they’ll leave it alone.” Ali al-Dabbagh, a spokesman for the Government, is equally optimistic: “There is a shortage of entertainment in the city. Cinemas can’t open. Playgrounds can’t open. The fun park is badly needed for Baghdad. Children don’t have any opportunities to enjoy their childhood.” Mr al-Dabbagh added that entry to the park would be strictly controlled. The project will cost $500 million (£250 million) and will be managed by Iraqis. Under the terms of the lease, Mr Werner will retain exclusive rights to housing and hotel developments, which he says will be both culturally sensitive and enormously profitable. “I wouldn’t be doing this if I wasn’t making money,” he said. “I also have this wonderful sense that we’re doing the right thing – we’re going to employ thousands of Iraqis. But mostly everything here is for profit.” A $1 million skateboard park, the first phase of the development, will open in July. Parts for 200,000 skateboards and materials to build ramps will be shipped from America to Iraq for assembly at state-owned factories and distributed free to Iraqi children along with helmets and knee pads. The larger entertainment park, designed by Ride and Show Engineering Inc, will follow in phases, part of a strategy launched two years ago by the Iraqi Government and the US to attract private investment into the country’s 192 state-owned factories. The factories were closed in 2003 by Paul Bremer, then the head of the Coalition Provisional Authority, who believed that private enterprise would take their place. Instead, industries withered and half a million skilled workers were left jobless. A task force headed by Paul Brinkley, Deputy Under Secretary of Defence for Business Transformation, is now attempting to revive Iraq’s factories – a task undermined by persistent violence. But Mr Werner, whose company manages several hundred million dollars of equity, sees Iraq as a great opportunity. “Iraq to me is an open field. I have never in my life seen an opportunity with the potential that Iraq has with its skilled workforce and oil reserves.” He has begun partnerships with several Iraqi factories in the last year, investing tens of millions of dollars in joint ventures. But the Baghdad Zoo and Entertainment Experience could prove the most ambitious. General David Petraeus, head of US forces, is said to be a “big supporter” of the project, according to Mr Brinkley. “There are all sorts of investment opportunities all over Iraq. But it’s not just hydrocarbons. Half the Iraqi population is under the age of 15. These kids really need something to do,” Mr Brinkley said. City break — Before the invasion there were two amusement parks in Baghdad, one in Rusafaa and one in Karf. They now only open on public holidays — Al-Zawra park and its zoo, (the site of the new park), are among the city’s most popular attractions. There are fountains, sculptures, coffee shops and children’s playgrounds — The Cross Swords park, a favourite meeting place before the invasion, is now locked inside the green zone — On warm evenings, Iraqis flock to the city’s three lakes, al-Habanya, al-Therthar and al-Razaza
Between Sadr and Jahoosh Al-Mahdi, and Maliki his puppets, I think we already have the best disneyland in the world. Here is a starting list of what we really need in Iraq Mr Werner:
1- Peace this come from supplying the rest 2- Jobs 3- Electricity 24/7 4- Drinking water. 5- Clean streets from rubbish 6- Postal service 7- Security 8- Investment in Agriculture and Industry 9- New housing 10- New streets 11- More schools / Universities / colleges 12- Bringing back all Iraqis back to the country 13- Repair all the 40 yrs damage, socially, economicallly, and politically. 14- Encourage tourism back, we have so much to offer. 15- Opening the door to free market. This will generate huge investments, job security and hopefuly bright future. 16- When we have all these, we could have disney iraq.
صدقت يا اخي الله يحفظك والله الكهرباء عملت فينا شيزوفرينيا والشوارع لا تعكس وجه العراق لقد بداْنا نستحي من انفسنا والفساد الاداري شوه سممعتنا بالخارج والقاعدة رجعتنا الى ما قبل القرون الوسطى الغابرة والمليشيات كانها قطاع الطرق الخ
In the second world war, germany was almost totally destroyed, but it was rebuilt beautifully, and the people were and still proud of their country.
We need strong honest leadership, supported by strong police and army units that will apply heavy hand on all those brain dead fatherless individuals who seek to destroy what we have left.
We have the money to start, and like I said, free market economy will generate jobs, security and wealth. Look at the progress in UAE.
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Calm
Salam Al Ani
In the second world war, germany was almost totally destroyed, but it was rebuilt beautifully, and the people were and still proud of their country.
We need strong honest leadership, supported by strong police and army units that will apply heavy hand on all those brain dead fatherless individuals who seek to destroy what we have left.
We have the money to start, and like I said, free market economy will generate jobs, security and wealth. Look at the progress in UAE.
You are totally right about the German. However, don’t forget that in Germany they were only German. In Iraq there are Arabs, Persians, Turkmen, Kurds, Armenians, Caldians, Assyrians, etc… Not to forget the various religions, and their assorted divisions. It is near impossible to get all those together and make them live under one roof without a dictatorship, or at least that is what the only solution appears to be. Sad isn’t it??????
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God bless the whole world, No exceptions. الدين لله و الوطن للجميع
Iraq always been a multiculture race society. Same as in Syria, Jordan, England, germany and almost every country now in the world, thanks to easier travel.
I think its all down to education, also after 40 years of killing almost freely, the people forgot how to be civil. I believe they need serious mental evaluation from top doctors in the world as a nation and not individuals.
Hi Calm and Harry, I'm afraid its too difficult to use Germany as a viable comparison. Despite the Nazis, Germany had a long tradition of law, order, constitutional government and civic society to draw on and this was a major factor when it came to rebuilding their country after its devastation post WW2. As Harry said, it was also free of ethnic/sectarian/religious tensions once Hitler and his fascist party was removed. Like Iraq, Germany also had problems with their neighbors especially countries from the communist bloc but unlike Iraq this created political cohesion and unity. This makes comparing current day Iraq to Germany fruitless. Things aren't helped by current day US policies towards Iraq. Instead of concentrating on assisting us to recover gradually by re-building our infrastructure they openly encourage ultra American capitalism and endorse juvenile and insensitive projects like Baghdad Disney.
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"As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others" - Nelson Mandela
Posts: 462
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The main reason for that is, that the German, put their religious matters aside and worked together to build their country and their government. Exactly the opposite of what is going on in Iraq, and perhaps the entire Middle East, where people are so attached to their religion (it sounds like super glue) and even more to their sectarian beliefs, that each mob wants to rule the country their own way, and the leaders, for the benefit of their pocket books.
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God bless the whole world, No exceptions. الدين لله و الوطن للجميع
In my opinion Northern Ireland is probably the most relevant European country when compared to the Iraqi situation. Although the scale of violence in Iraq makes what happened in Belfast look like a picnic there are certain similarities. So if we are to take NI as an example then we should be prepared for a long wait before things settle in Iraq. Just like in NI the Iraqi resistance/Militias use homemade bombs to fight their enemy. Just like NI, Iraq is being occupied by a foreign army. Just like NI, Iraq is divided along religious/sectarian lines.
I remember reading about bloody Sunday in which British soldiers shot unarmed activists which led to the IRA gaining strength and numbers. When young Irishmen were interviewed and asked why they chose to join the IRA most said it was because of what happened on that day. Others complained that they were mocked, shoved around, injured and insulted by the British army (just as many Iraqis have over the years). In Iraq we have Abu Ghraib and the house to house searches carried out by inexperienced gung-ho US soldiers who shove paper bags over suspects heads and treat them disrespectfully. The US grunts also lack the cultural understanding on how to deal with Iraqi women who are under interrogation. In Iraq's case its much worse because we now have the Internet to immediately broadcast pictures and videos of crimes committed by US soldiers. These images and films are being used as recruitment propaganda by Jaish Al Mehdi, Al Qaida, etc.
Now if we take Northern Ireland as the prime example then I’m afraid to say most of us will never see a peaceful Iraq in our lifetime. It took 4 decades for Ireland to achieve peace and liberate itself from the Brits, and given the scale of violence and cultural divide between the occupiers and Iraqis is far wider than that of NI, we have to accept that Iraq will take much longer to achieve stability. This is why when I read about a bloody Baghdad Disney which is supported by General Patraeus it makes my blood boil. It proves that even after 5 years of occupation the US leaders and generals still haven't learned anything other than what they came with, empty heads full of Mickey Mouse ideas for Americanizing Iraq. **** idiots!
I was going to say God help Iraq but if there is a God I swear he's forgotten all about us.
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"As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others" - Nelson Mandela
Such negativity. You all make it sound like having a theme park in Baghdad is going to somehow hurt Iraqi children. First, to make it clear the theme park is NOT a Disney project. It's not going to be "Disneyland Baghdad." It's being developed by a theme park designer who participated in the design of Disneyland.
It's pretty futile (not to mention counterproductive) to make a list of what capitalist venturers should invest in by priority. Baghdad isn't some big charity gig. These are bussiness men who have decided to make a capital risk for the chance of a capital payback. It works like this, if Iraqi people are really going to suffer from having a theme park, they wont go. If nobody goes, the venture fails and the capitalist doesn't make any money.
Capitalism isn't bad, yah people do good things for people so they can get paid in return. It's called a win-win situation, and if both sides don't profit from it then a long time venture will rarely, at best, survive.
As for your list of priorities, I'm not suggesting that those aren't important. Some things that nations need should be provided by government. Other things people will pay for as they can/feel the need. For instance I pay a lot of money for my personal education and hold it as a long to goal to provide a quality education for my children. Paying for college has been one of the hardest things in my life, with a lot of hard work and heart ache. This is something that I don't want my kids to struggle through like I have, so I will work hard in my life to make that happen. Iraqi people I believe will do the same thing, as opportunity provides.
I realize that life is hard, and sometimes money and work can be hard to come by, but venture capitalists feeding money into a starving economy doesn't come off to me as a bad thing. The form of investment at first may not seem very generous, but jobs are prosperity. Even theme parks provide jobs. Are there other areas to invest in, of course. I've personally loaned money to a shop owner in Kirkuk, as well as entrepenuers in Afganistan, Pakistan, as well as other developing countries.
Again, the beautiful thing about capitalism is that if you don't like it, you don't have to buy it. If Iraqis don't like American culture, they wont buy it, and eventually we'll turn into another page of the history of middle eastern conquerers.
You can build 1000's of theme parks in Iraq, can you tell me what the hell for? We need security first, we need food in our bellies, we need water to drink, we need electricity day and night, we need pencils and pens to write with.
By brother wouldn't let his 14 yr old son to go to school, because it is unsafe. He was almost got abducted twice, once in front their front door. Where is the negativity in thats? Spend £500M on a park that if an iraqi wants to go and visit, he must have well trained 3 dozens body gaurds. Please give us break.
Why didn't they offer to build one when it was safe? I know Sadam was evil, they could've spent that sort of money on feeding the children, we lost over a million child due to hunger since 1991. God bless their souls.
Such negativity. You all make it sound like having a theme park in Baghdad is going to somehow hurt Iraqi children.
Don’t you get it? This bloody capitalist venture will eventually hurt Iraqi Children. Dustin, you have a great deal to learn about Iraq. At a time when every terrorist is fighting his own personal Jihad in our country, no electricity, no clean water, no security, no stability, gangsters and criminals running the streets like their own cash register, what is the highest profile investment on offer? An American style theme park smack bang in the center of Baghdad! What’s more, the highest ranking US army general in country is endorsing it. This sends completely the wrong message and you can bet your last shiny dollar that all the terrorist groups and in house militias will use this to further highlight the USA’s intention to turn the whole of Baghdad into a mini Washington DC. Look, your government is already building the biggest embassy in the world with facilities that will make every Iraqi jealous because while we suffer without basic immunities, the US embassy will be lit up like a Christmas tree right under our noses. What’s more the choice of venue is again the green zone which in case you didn’t know is the most central point in the city. So it might be futile to make a list of priorities if this project was being set up in a US friendly country but this is Iraq and it’s Iraqis who end up paying for these errors in judgment with their blood. Every day the green zone is pounded by mortars so I want you to picture the scene. A theme park built by Americans full of Iraqi children being targeted by every f*#****ing anti US militia and Al Qaida supporter who's out to prove that the US is in it for the money. These jihadists or whatever you want to call them don't give a rats ass about how many children are maimed and killed to get their message across. It only takes one day and children will die while your Mr. Werner loses a bit of money and chalks it down to “an investment error”. What you fail to understand is we do want your companies to invest in our country but for f*****s sake let these investment reflect the people’s needs, not just satisfy some billionaires delusions of grandeur. In case you haven't noticed democracy isn't working so why on earth would you suppose American style cold blooded capitalism can succeed in a country that has no idea or inclination of how to make such systems work. These things take time even in moderate countries. Now I'm no expert but given we are in desperate need of electricity Werner can invest his money in a different type of project and make a lot of money doing it. For example he could go into a joint venture project to supply solar panels which will negate the need for relying on petrol and power plants, both of which are in short supply. Here’s a good example:
Now this is a win-win situation. Iraqis will have electricity and Werner make his profit and do some damage control for your government by, what’s that catch phrase? Oh yes, winning heart and minds. Now I’m not saying I don’t support the idea of a theme park but please there’s a time and place for everything. Now I apologize for coming down on you in such an aggressive manner because from your earlier posts I know your a good guy but I’ve had it up to here with Americans telling us whats good for us.
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"As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others" - Nelson Mandela
A theme park would be the center of anti-american aggression, and logicly it seems there are a lot of things that would have to come before a theme park. Setting aside security for the theme park electricity, water, and municipal infrastructure.
There's a movie, it's quite interesting called "The Children of Men." Some kind of disease causes global infertility, which has a negative affect on civilization. The movie takes place in England. England is pretty trashed and filled with ghettos, but there's one scene that reminds me of the Green zone. It's an area in London, fenced off and tightly secured, on the inside is a plethora of old style royal guards mounted on horseback, well trimmed lawns and shrubbery, and extreme wealth. Contrasting with the outside world the movie points a pretty poignant picture that reminds me of Iraq.
Now, saying that I agree with you LOB, there are areas that I feel may or may not turn out how they look. If the venture works, and people begin to attend this theme park it could give the feeling of victory, which is important in a time when IRAQI Army units are bettering Mahdi criminal forces double their size.
The point is, I don't think that this theme park will have of much an American flavor, as a feeling of progress for the Iraqi people. Like everything else in Iraq it will present a set of risks and challenges to overcome. It would also, I would think, send a message to Sadr, Al Qaeda, and Iran.
When my ancestors first settled way out West (American history) there was nothing out here, and only a small population of Native Americans. The first thing they did was broke ground and planted wheat. The next thing that they did, before even building their homes, was build a theatre/opera house. The man who led them was a genious at settling and is largely responsible for settling the mid-western US, and opening the route to California. He recognized the need for culture and recreation/entertainment in providing growth to a society.
Iraq may also be a different place in a few years when they construct this theme park. Time will tell. I hope I'm right, and that I'm not to bleary eyed an idealist to recognize reality when it presents itself.
Thanks Dustin. In fact I have to let you in on something. Last night I was watching my favourite football team (soccer) lose in the semi finals of the European club championship so by the time I read your reply I wasn’t in the best frame of mind hence my less than cordiale response. However I stick by my comments although had the immediate circumstance been different I might have replied without resorting to such colourful language.
Calm, Harry and I were just discussing this point. Just how much can Iraq change over the coming years given historical parallels would suggest that we are in for a very long wait? It’s very difficult to predict a time frame because there appears to be no clear strategy here. To use a football term “they keep moving the goalposts”. In order to devise a successful strategy, all sides have to start by defining what is meant by winning. The Bush administration has continued to pursue its original objectives. It appears to still define victory as it did at the beginning of the war. They want an Iraq that is US friendly, recognising the State of Israel and happy to provide the US with oil and great military bases from which American forces can dominate the region. As we can all clearly see none of these objectives are now attainable. The first objective had to be restoring stability but in order for this to work they should have taken time to understand that a country whose history of dictatorship and occupation stretches back hundreds of years cannot be transformed overnight. To assume such a country can work democratically when the model for this democracy is US based is foolish. This is true of the whole Middle East not only Iraq. As you know the majority of Iraq is Shia and the Shia simply cannot forget what happened the last time America went to war with Saddam back in 91 when they were deserted by Bush Snr. and left to be slaughtered by Saddam’s forces despite promises that they would receive full US backing in the event of an uprising. Then came the sanctions which were supposed to weaken Saddam but only served to starve our people while Saddam continued to build Palaces and monuments to himself. In fact the sanctions succeeded in transforming Iraq from one of the most developed, educated and progressive countries in the Middle East into a starving third world nation with a dwindling academic base due to the mass exodus of Iraqi professionals during this period. Now when US forces marched into Baghdad unopposed in 2003 they compounded this problem by failing to protect our government institutions and Ministries. After this both Iraq’s police and Military were disbanded creating a complete power vacuum which allowed unfriendly entities to come and go as they pleased. Now this is when things got a lot worse. The first Iraqis targeted by insurgent groups were our teachers, professors, doctors and academics. Many were murdered, kidnapped or threatened and thus began a greater exodus than in 91 or sanctions. So by the time elections were rushed/introduced we literally had no one left in country to teach the masses the meaning of the process. Poor, uneducated and dissatisfied Iraqis started to look to religious figures for comfort and boy did they make the most of it. They followed their every word and voted according to instruction rather than personal choice based on understanding the new democratic process. So by introducing elections so early, Bush Jnr played right into the hands of the region’s largest Islamic-Shia country, Iran. While US resources were kept busy fighting newly formed insurgent groups and Sunni resistance fighters, Iran supplied poor with donations and financial backing through the many Hussieniat dotted all over central and Southern Iraq. This increased their support base and made heroes of clerics like Sadr, who also had his father’s name to trade on. Because of this Sadr started gaining a very loyal base of followers who formed themselves into the Mahdi Army. Many of these recruits were hardened criminals who were given amnesty by Saddam weeks before the US invasion. Others were former Fidayeen who were part of a special unit run by Saddams son Uday. They in turn formed “special units” that used kidnapping, murder and extortion to fund their private Army enterprises and create a kind of Gangster capitalism, if you like. This is only the Mahdi Army. There are other Militias that don’t have the same high profile because they are in fact a part of the current government and also Iranian backed. But that’s for another thread. Anyway I could go on but I hope you get my drift. The reason for my rambling on is to give you an idea of how complex this situation has become. So you see building a theme park will not succeed in sending a message to Al Qaeda/Sadr/Iran. It will send exactly the wrong message. While the Islamic Militias are handing out donations and money, here come the Infidel Americans with their useless capitalist schemes designed to deceive poor Iraqis by creating an illusion of stability just as long as they can make a quick buck out of us.
Of course this is just my opinion and believe me I'm no expert. Anyone is free to chip in offer their own take on this issue. Now I’m going to post this even though much of what I have said is probably badly structured and incoherent. But what do you expect? I got a hangover and haven’t even had a cup of coffee yet.
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"As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others" - Nelson Mandela
Harry, Calm. Lets continue to debate the German/Irish/Iraqi issue too. Everyone is welcome to contribute. It seems that this thread has now morphed into 2 subjects and I hope this doesn't put anyone off. All the best. LOB
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"As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others" - Nelson Mandela
Harry, Calm. Lets continue to debate the German/Irish/Iraqi issue too. Everyone is welcome to contribute. It seems that this thread has now morphed into 2 subjects and I hope this doesn't put anyone off. All the best. LOB
Guys, where'd you go? Are we done here? I though a couple of old timers like you would have more to say about this.
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"As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others" - Nelson Mandela
Posts: 462
Score: 11 Joined: 10/26/2004 From: California Status: offline
It is very hard for Iraqis to change anymore. So many years, on top of a couple of generations that opened their eyes within a discriminatory government, a bunch of lynch mobs, and other living conditions that planted this type of segregation seed into their daily lives. Besides the fact of wide spread killing machines كلاشينكوف that they grew up loving it as an extension of themselves and the only protector of their beliefs and lives. Not to dismiss the fact that illiteracy rate has multiplied since the tyrant regime of Saddam, which has greatly affected the mentality of the newer generations, and spread hatred among neighbors and sometimes even among members of one family.
And our imbicile (Bushi) took advantage of the situation and opened قبغ ألبلوعه My point is that I don’t see any way out of this predicament.
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God bless the whole world, No exceptions. الدين لله و الوطن للجميع
There isn't a situation or a country that lost 2/3 generation of it's own people to war. Lost all means of law and order, lost its identity, in other words lost everything, and whats left behind are a bunch of dogs fighting over one piece of meat. Even now, the shiat are killing each other, and where/when is it going to end?
What do you pay for human life now?
I remember when I was 7 chasing after my mental brother of 3, and by mistake I fell on top of the cat, I broke its back, so I burried it quickly so no one will find out. That image I will never forget, yet you go on Youtube, or other, and find images of people killing as if its part of the daily retual.
You will never change 40 yrs of being mistreated, of being brought up under the image of a gun, they don't know any better, and never experienced any better.
First Disneybaghdad and now Tigris Woods golf course. No comment! A plan by US military planners for the "Tigris Woods Golf and Country Club" in the Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq. Photograph: US Army/AP LUXURY HOTELS AND GOLF: Welcome to the Green Zone Pentagon airs plan to turn Baghdad military redoubt into a chic urban oasis
Picture, if you will, a tree-lined plaza in Baghdad's International Village, flanked by fashion boutiques, swanky cafes, and shiny glass office towers. Nearby a golf course nestles agreeably, where a chip over the water to the final green is but a prelude to cocktails in the club house and a soothing massage in a luxury hotel, which would not look out of place in Sydney harbour. Then, as twilight falls, a pre-prandial stroll, perhaps, amid the cool of the Tigris Riverfront Park, where the peace is broken only by the soulful cries of egrets fishing. Improbable though it all may seem, this is how some imaginative types in the US military are envisaging the future of Baghdad's Green Zone, the much-pummelled redoubt of the Iraqi capital where a bunker shot has until now had very different connotations. A $5bn (£2.5bn) tourism and development scheme for the Green Zone being hatched by the Pentagon and an international investment consortium would give the heavily fortified area on the banks of the Tigris a "dream" makeover that will become a magnet for Iraqis, tourists, business people and investors. About half of the area is now occupied by coalition forces, the US state department or private foreign companies.The US military released the first tentative artists' impression yesterday. An army source said the barbed wire, concrete blast barriers and checkpoints that currently disfigure the 5 sq mile area would be replaced by shopping malls, hotels, elegant apartment blocks and leisure parks. "This is at the end of the day an Iraqi-owned area and we will give it back to them with added value," said the source, who requested anonymity.Potential investors are being encouraged to take a punt that years ahead, Baghdad's fortunes may mirror former war-torn cities such as Sarajevo and Beirut that have risen from the ashes. Marriott International has already signed a deal to build a hotel in the Green Zone, according to Navy Captain Thomas Karnowski, the chief US liaison. Also in the pipeline is a possible $1bn investment from MBI International, a hotel and resorts specialist led by Saudi sheikh, Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber. One Los Angeles-based firm, C3, has said it wants to build an amusement park on the Green Zone's outskirts. As part of the first phase, a skateboard park is due to open this summer. American officials stress that final decisions about reconstruction and development rest with the Iraqi government. Karnowski added that as well as the benefits of renovating and demilitarising an important area of Baghdad, the blueprint would help to create a "zone of influence" around the massive new US Embassy compound being built on the eastern tip of the Green Zone. The $1bn project to move the embassy from Saddam's old presidential palace is planned for completion later this year. "When you have $1bn hanging out there and 1,000 employees lying around, you kind of want to know who your neighbours are. You want to influence what happens in your neighbourhood over time," Karnowski told Associated Press. He acknowledged that any project would face formidable difficulties: "There is no sewer system, no working power system. Everything here is done on generators. No road repair work. There are no city services other than the minimal amount we provide to get by." There is also the not insignificant matter of the dire security situation. Shia militants under attack from US and Iraqi forces elsewhere in the capital have been launching volleys of rockets on the Green Zone for much of the last month. Despite the apparent Pentagon enthusiasm, other US officials in Baghdad seemed more sceptical. "We approach this with perhaps a dose of realism," offered one. "These are issues for the Iraqis to discuss. We do not own the International Zone, and its future is really up to the Iraqis." For many Baghdad residents, the Green Zone has been a no-go area for years, first under Saddam and now under the occupation. "What do I care?" shrugged one, Ahmed Hussein. "I don't have electricity, I don't have fresh water and I don't have a job." http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/may/06/iraq
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"As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others" - Nelson Mandela
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'Disneyland' comes to Baghdad! - 
and even more to their sectarian beliefs
, that each mob wants to rule the country their own way
, and the leaders, for the benefit of their pocket books
.
A plan by US military planners for the "Tigris Woods Golf and Country Club" in the Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq. Photograph: US Army/AP 
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