American Views Abroad

 
An article about Susanne Osthoff the German archaeologist taken hostage in Iraq three weeks ago is in today's New York Times Week in Review. In A Trip to the Desert With the Raging Angel of the Artificats, the reporter writes:

'Another Westerner might have been in immediate danger. But Ms. Osthoff knew the people, understood the tribal loyalities and knew she could bank on her credibility. It was a striking contrast to the Americans then trying to rebuild Iraq. Most spoke no Arabic, traveled only in convoys, could not tell friend from foe and knew nothing about Mesopotamia.'

www.nytimes.com/2005/12/18/weekinreview/18word.ART.html
- posted by Gloria @ 11:47 AM