Sadly the last diary entry from Saad Eskender.
Patricia Sleeman
**************************
Diary for 1-31 July,
Statistics for the Impact of Sectarian Violence on the INLA's Staff (June 2007)
6 displacements and death threats of staff
1 brother was injured
3 kidnapping of relatives (2 brothers and 1 son)
1 disappearance of relatives (a brother)
Number of the INLA's Visitors
1-30 June 447
1-31 July: 503
Sunday, 1 July – 5 July, Thursday
(All the INLA's departments were closed, except Legal Deposit. The work
began on Sunday morning, as all book and archival collections were subjected
to disinfectant, parasitoid and insecticide treatment. The INLA's teams
supervised the whole operation and facilitated the task of the specialists).
According to the INLA's daily security report, on Tuesday, 3 July, at 11.00,
some armed men executed two civilians near the rear gate of the INLA's
building. Five hours later, the armed men murdered another civilian in the
same area .
On Wednesday 4, I was in the Green Zone, attending some ceremony. The
ceremony lasted almost three hours, at the end of which Shi'i extremists
shelled the Green Zone. We were unable to leave the Green Zone, because all
exit points were closed. Forty minutes later, we were given the green light
to leave the area.
According to the INLA's daily security report, several mortars landed on the
areas surrounding the INLA between 1.00 and 4.00. Between 14.45 and 16.00, a
fierce fighting broke out between Sunni extremists and Iraqi security forces
in al-Fadhel and al-Maidan, near the INLA. Light and semi heavy weapons were
used. The fighting Several explosions were also heard in the night.
Friday, 6 July,
I stayed at home. It was a good opportunity to examine the statistics that
were provided by the staff of the Planning Department concerning the INLA's
workforce. Several positive signs can be identified, when making a
comparison between the years 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.
2003 2004 2005 2006
Work Force 95 127 272 383
Female 75 146 208
Male 52 126 175
(INLA's Guards were excluded from this statistics)
BA and Diploma in Library Science and Archive
2003 2004 2005 2006
19 22 34 46
BA and Diploma
2003 2004 2005 2006
? 66 78 149
According to the INLA's daily security report, another round of fighting
took place between Sunni extremists and the security forces in al-Fadhel.
The fighting began at 23.00 and ended at 7.00 the next day.
Saturday, 7 July,
I decided to go to the INLA to inspect the building and the guards. The
guards were all present. The cleaners were working.
I met the manager of the construction company responsible for the repairing
of the INLA's building. He informed me that he and his foreman received
death threats from some people in al-Fadhel, the strong-hold of Sunni
extremists. Both men are Shi'is. The manager was forced to change his daily
movements and not to use the INLA's rare gate. The foreman asked the manager
for some days off. We discussed the problems created by the disappearance of
the mInister of Culture. All projects are stopped, including our two
important projects, the Library of Pioneers and the Archive Storage. If the
PM does not interfere we would lose the funds allocated to the two projects.
The Ministry of Finance has been pressurizing us for some times. Its
tactless bureaucrats seek to take the funds away from us. We are in a big
trouble.
Sunday, 8 July
In the early morning, a strong sand storm hit Baghdad As a result,
temperatures went up, and became increasingly difficult to breath. My wife
and I took the two children downstairs. We closed all the windows and doors
to prevent the dust from entering the house. I switched on my small
generator so that I could cool a room where the children were sleeping.
From the very beginning, it was a very intense day security speaking.
Yesterday's PM's criticism of al-Sadr movement and al-Mahdi Army caused
up-roar among the most ignorant of society. The Sadr's supporters, including
his militia, al-Mahdi Army, wanted to exercise their political and military
muscle by making Baghdad ungovernable. They began to express their protest
in a violent manner by blocking the roads, encircling many districts and
preventing the movement of ordinary people. Armed men and gangsters were
seen in many Shi'i dominated districts, such as al-Bai'a, Bud-Sheer and
Sh'ala. A considerable number of my staff was unable to come to work. The
eastern part of Baghdad was literally paralyzed. The al-Sadrs' supporters
spread a rumor that the government imposed a curfew. The rumor reached the
INLA.
A stray bullet smashed a small window at the Acquisition Department. The
Head of the Department had to clean her disk and chair from broken glasses
before she could begin her work.
In my office, I met three officials from the Shi'i Endowment Department.
They were accompanied by the Head of the Inspection Department. We discussed
some issues, including the setting up of a joint committee with the aim of
reorganizing the archival collections of the Shi'I Endowment Department,
exchange of documents and records, training and coordination. The Shi'i and
Sunni Endowments Departments were parts of the same ministry (i.e. the
Ministry of Endowment and Religious Affairs) before the fall of the former
regime. The relations between the two departments are not good. They refuse
to cooperate with each other concerning the old endowment papers, which are
in the possession of the Sunni Endowment Department. To overcome the
differences and reach a common understanding between the two departments
regarding endowment issues, I suggested that representatives from both sides
would be invited to a special meeting which would be organized by the INLA.
Shi'i representatives accepted the suggestion.
After the meeting, I entrusted some one I know to contact the Sunni
Endowment Department concerning the proposed meeting. I know how difficult
it is to reach a compromise or a solution satisfactory to all concerned
parties. The harmful interferences of politicians and militias have
considerably complicated every simple issue. Because of such interferences,
it has become dangerous to intervene in sensitive religious issues, such as
the one between the Shi'i and Sunni Endowment Departments.
At 12.30, the security situation became much worse than in the morning.
Shi'i militias and al-Sadr's supporters made life very difficult for
everybody. I asked my staff to leave their work and go back to their homes,
before it was too late. I was the last one to leave the building. The roads
were empty and a strong sense of anxiety could be seen everywhere.
At 13.30, a new round of fighting broke out between Sunni extremists and the
security forces in al-Fadhel near the INLA. Light and semi-heavy weapons
were used in the fighting, which lasted for one hour and thirty minutes.
Monday, 9 July,
According to the INLA's security report, a mortar landed on al-Fadhel at
1.30. No casualties were reported.
At 8.00, another mortar landed on our area, immediately after I arrived to
my office.
At 9.00, I met a representative from al-Rafedian TV channel to discuss some
joint cultural ventures. The INLA's representative had initial talks with
al-Rafedian's representatives concerning the production of a series of
programmes that would focus on Baghdad's culture and history during the
Twentieth Century. These programmes will be primarily based on the INLA's
Baghdad Memory Project. Both sides agreed in principle that the INLA will
provide the venue and the necessary information, facts and records, while
al-Rafedian will be responsible for all technical and financial aspects of
the project. It has already been agreed that the first programme would focus
on Baghdad's traditional music (al-Maqam) and that it would be filmed in my
office. INLA's principal goal behind the project is to increase Baghdadi
people's awareness of the importance of protecting the cultural heritage of
their historical city in its various forms. I do hope that the project will
be translated into reality. My only concern is the security situation.
Tuesday, 10 July,
We had some problem with the new internet system for a few days. Access to
the internet is slow and breaks off very often. Internet experts fixed all
the problems.
At 10.40, we heard three successive bomb explosions in the distance.
At 11.35, there were some sporadic exchanges of fire in our area.
I talked to the Head of the Public Relations Department about the INLA's
joint project with al-Rafedian TV channel. I asked him to write a detailed
report about the project.
According to the INLA's daily security report, at 16.00, fighting broke out
near the destroyed bridge al-Sarafiya (the Iron Bridge). The heave exchanges
of fire lasted until 20.00.
Wednesday, 11 July,
The traffic was extremely heavy. I needed to go the Green Zone. It took me
thirty minutes to cross al-Sinak Bridge. It was a quiet day. No violence was
reported in our area. I was constant contact with my office.
One of the national newspaper revealed that the Minister of Culture issued a
ministerial memorandum in which he granted his own bodyguards financial
rewards. The ironic thing is that the memorandum was signed ten days after
the Minister went into hiding!!
Thursday, 12 July,
There were widespread rumors that the runaway Minister would be in his
office today.
I had a short meeting with the staff of the Micrographic Department. I
advised the Head of the Department to increase his staff so that he could
raise the level of productivity. A few days ago, he presented me with a
report that detailed the efforts of his staff between 1 January and 30 June.
Month No. of Filmed Documents No. of Used Films No. of Copied Films
January 3,563 5 films (35, 5 meters) 4
February 8,567 7 films = 8
March 8,980 6 films = 6
April 12,452 9 films = 4
May 11,236 8 films -
June 15,860 10 films = 2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 60,658 45 24
There are a number of factors that impede the efforts of the staff of the
Micrographic Department, notably power cuts and bad security situation.
Frequent power cuts are responsible for wasting a lot of hard work notable
material losses. In May, the deteriorated security situation forced the INLA
to close its doors for several days.
We can easily boost productivity, if we acquire a big generator and increase
the number of cameras.
Friday, 13 July,
I stayed at home writing and reading. I watched the Iraqi National football
team playing with its Australian counter-part in the qualification stages of
Asian Nations Tournament. All Iraqis, regardless of their ethnic and
religious background, support the Iraqi National football team. Many Iraqis
strongly believe that their national football team is the only factor that
unites the country following the fall of Sadam's regime in April 2003. One
can fail to see how much Iraqis are delighted when their national team wins.
Immediately after the match, in which Iraq defeated Australia 3-1, people
left their house to celebrate the victory on the main streets.
Saturday, 14 July,
I stayed at home writing and reading.
According to the INLA's daily security report, bomb exploded in Haifa Street
at 24.00. It was followed by mortar which landed on al-Fadhel.
Sunday, 15 July,
At 7.40, I was informed that the National Guards closed the temporary road,
and that I should use the rear gate to enter the building. The scene was
very chaotic, when I arrived to Bab al-Mudham. The National Guards and
police officers closed several roads and the Bab al-Mudham Bridge. Closing
the roads was precautionary measure taken by the National Guards, after they
turned their base (i.e. the former headquarter of the Ministry of Defense)
into a temporary centre for recruiting young Iraqis for the Army. Young
graduates and unemployed men have no choice but to join the Army.
I instructed the INLA's guards to be very vigilant, as the new recruitment
centre, which just across the street, might be attacked by terrorists. Tens
of recruitment centres inside and outside Baghdad were attacked by car bombs
and by suicide bombers. Fortunately, the day witnessed no incident, a part
from sporadic exchanges of fire around 11.00.
My nephew informed me that he, his wife and my sister left their house in
the early morning, after the mortars landed on their road. Snipers (mostly
Sunni extremists) began to target innocent people. My sister would stay
temporarily with her daughter.
I had a brief meeting with al-Rafdain TV's director, who would film the
first episode of our joint cultural programme in my office on Thursday 19
July. He would discuss the details with the Head of the Public Relations
Department.
Monday, 16 July,
According to the INLA's daily security report, a huge blast shook the
building at 1.00.
I had an interview with al-Faiha' TV channel, which seeks to make a
documentary film about the destruction and the reconstruction of the INLA.
Al-Faiha' is a liberal-oriented channel.
The internet system was not working properly. So, we contacted the state
run-company to fix the problem.
We found out that we were unable to open the new reading room, as we
planned, because the air-conditioning system had not been installed.
According to the manger of the construction company, which is responsible
for the renovation of the INLA, the air-conditioning units would be imported
soon via Amman-Jordan; but he gave no guarantee.
At 13.00, a group of Sunni extremists attacked National Guards and civilians
in al-Jamhoriya street. Thirty minutes later, the extremists attacked the
nearby Ministry of Public Works and Municipality and a National Guards'
patrol. Mortars and light weapons were used in the attack. Some of the
mortars landed on empty space behind the INLA's building. The Sunni
extremists were sniping at the local Bab al-Mudham Police Station and the
nearby Multi-National Forces station. They positioned themselves on top of
one of the high buildings, which surround the INLA. Soon, tanks and armed
vehicles were used by the National Guards and the Multi-National Forces, who
took their position in the area surrounding the INLA. Later on, US Apache
helicopters joined the fighting, which lasted until 15.30.
Ironically, one of the Sunni main Newspapers distorted the facts about the
day events, claiming that it was the guards of the Ministry of Public Works
and Municipality and the National Guards who attacked the residents of
al-Fadhel, killing and injuring a number of innocent people. The Newspaper
said nothing about the Baathists and al-Qaeda's armed men who have been
attacking and terrorizing innocent civilians for many months. The President
of the Newspaper's Administrative Board is the Vice-President of the
Republic!
Tuesday, 17 July,
Seventeenth of July has been a very depressing day for me, since 2004. On
this very day, my own cousin lost his life in a car bomb attack. He left
behind a widow and four children.
I was a bit unwell. I caught flue from my wife, and off course, she denied it.
The internet system was not working properly.
It was another recruitment day for young Iraqis to join the army. Therefore,
the National Guards blocked most of the roads and Bab al-Mudham Bridge in
the early morning. We were forced again to use al-Jamhoriya Street, where
the snipers are active. National Guards' presence leads usually to chaos on
the roads. They intervene in everything, including the traffic. Their only
expertise is the use of guns, not in professional manner for most of the
time. They open fire without a reason. They seem very nervous and treat
civilians badly.
One of our employees had an operation. She needed some blood before the
operation. Her blood group was O+. Luckily, the INLA's telephone operator,
who had the same blood group, agreed to accompany her to the hospital for a
blood transfusions.
There were widespread rumors that the Minister would return to his office.
A library worker approached me before I leave, informing that her family
received a death threat from some Shi'i militia; and as precautionary
measure, she decided to go to Syria for one month; and if the situation did
improve in her neighborhood (i.e. al-Dorah), she would extend her time off
for another year. She asked me to grant one-month unpaid time off. I gave
her two weeks paid leave and two weeks unpaid leave. She kept crying while
we were talking in a very hot corridor.
Wednesday, 18 July,
It was a quiet day. Most of the bombs attacks took place away from the INLA,
though sporadic exchanges of fire could be heard during the morning.
The internet system was not working properly for the third day running.
My health was deteriorating; I felt a lot of pain in my throat, let ear,
eyes and head.
Thursday, 19 July,
Around 80% of the INLA's staff received their monthly celeries. The rest of
the staff would receive their celeries on Sunday. The reason for this was
that the deteriorated security situation prevented our accountants from
entering the Bank to withdraw the remaining celeries. Some members of the
staff were not happy about the delay.
The first programme of our joint cultural project with al-Rafedain TV was
recorded at the INLA. The programme focused on traditional Baghdadi music,
known as al-Maqam.
I was very exhausting by mid-day, as I was very ill. I told no body about my
deteriorating health including my wife. My secretary advised me to rest at
home. So I left my office a bit early.
I knew that there was a large military build up in Bab al-Mudham. Iraqi Army
and US patrols were camping the area. Soon, US Apache helicopters joined in
by flying very low above Bab al-Mudham and the surrounding areas. The heavy
military presence lasted until 15.30.
Friday, 20 July,
My brother called me from London. He just wanted to make sure that my family
and I were fine. He conveyed to me best wishes from my friends, who live in
London. I asked him to do the same. I informed him that my sister and her
family were forced to leave their house in al-Jehad district, because of the
spiraling sectarian violence in their neighborhood.
I spent most resting. My health was as bad as the day before. My wife asked
me to see a doctor, when she noticed I was coughing a lot. I told her I
would be all-right. I thought I had flue. It usually takes four days to beat
it. But, this one did not seem to go away.
Saturday, 21 July,
My health was not good.
Most Iraqis stayed at home hoping to watch a football match between the
national teams of Iraq and Vietnam. Iraq won the match and was through to
the semi-final. People were extremely happy; old and young celebrated the
victory outdoors.
Sunday, 22 July,
My health was worse than the day before. I was forced to stay at home. Thus,
for the first time since my appointment in 2003, some illness has prevented
me from going to my office. A number of my staff called me, just to make
sure that I was fine.
At 17.05, five mortars landed on our area. They shook the house violently. I
asked my wife to come downstairs for safety reasons.
According to the INLA's security report, at 15.30, a bomb exploded near Bab
al-Mudham. The night witnessed air attacks on nearby areas.
Monday, 23 July
According to the INLA's security report, at 3.30 al-Haifa Street was the
scene of armed clashed between the army and an armed group. The fighting did
not last long.
A bomb exploded just before we arrived to Bab al-Mudham. The scene was
chaotic. The National Guards were nerves and uneasy. When our car was trying
to enter the temporarily road, my driver and a road police man began to
argue with each other. While I was trying to calm the situation, the
National Guards began to open fire at random and then physically assaulted
two of my staff. As I was trying in vain to explain to the National Guards
it was just a simple misunderstanding between two men and that there was no
need to use guns or open fire, they pointed their guns at me, and even began
to shoot at close range. They tried to frighten me, and prevent me from
helping two of our staff who were viciously attacked by the unruly National
Guards. Our two men were taken handcuffed to the nearby building were both
were tortured by the National Guards. I asked the INLA's Council to meet
with the view to discuss the National Guards' attack on me and on a number
of our staff. At the end of the meeting, we agreed to issue a statement, in
which we condemned the behavior of the National Guards, demanded the
minister of defense to set-up an investigation committee and to apology in
person. Although we were warned that it was extremely dangerous to criticize
the National Guards in public, we decided to send copies of our statements
to all Iraqi newspapers. We contacted the Ministry of Culture, inviting its
spokesman to issue a statement.
Tuesday, 24 July,
Although I was very ill, I went to my office to complete my paper works. I
headed the first meeting of a Ministerial Committee that was established to
investigate the way in which the Ministry of Culture implemented its
internet project. The meeting lasted three hours, at the end of which I was
totally exhausted.
I was informed that the editors of most newspapers were afraid of mentioning
the Monday incident. They did not want to annoy the military establishment.
The unruly National Guards have turned themselves increasingly into true
thugs. They can beat up and extort anybody at any place and at anytime.
Wednesday, 25 July,
I discovered that al-Zamman was the only newspaper that mentioned the Monday
incident and quoted our statement. Al-Faiha' TV channel mentioned the
incident in its news-bulletin. I did not give up, and I invited two Iraqi TV
channels to my office where I made another statement in which I condemned
the brutal actions of the National Guards and held the Minister of Defense
the responsibility for what had happened on Monday.
Soon after the interview, I went directly to my home, as I was still unwell.
In the afternoon, like rest of my countrymen, I watched the football match
between Iraq and South Korea. Iraq won the match and was thus through to the
final for the first time in its history. There were widespread celebrations
on the streets. Unfortunately, as a result of two car bombs attacks, more
than 150 people were either killed or injured. Most the victims were
children and young men, who died while celebrating the victory of Iraq's
football national team. The forces of darkness of terror are trying now to
assassinate our laughs and smiles.
Thursday, 26 July,
It was exceptionally hot day.
Al-Sabah newspaper published my article in which I called upon the Prime
Minister to help the INLA with it’s a huge task to recover the archival
collections of the former regime's repressive institutions. I also called
for the formation of a national committee to deal with the issue from
historical and human rights point of view. If the government does pay
attention to my article, I will publish another article in which I will name
all the political parties, organizations, ministries and politicians who
violated Iraqi archival legislation.
Friday, 27 July,
I stayed at home doing noting, except resting. But, my health did not improve.
According to INLA's daily security report, a number of mortars landed near
our building around 16.00. Fortunately, no one was hurt. At 23.00, a the
army clashed with some armed men. The sporadic exchanges of fire lasted
until 4.00 the next day.
Saturday, 28 July,
I was very ill and weak. I was not able to eat or to drink easily.
Therefore, I asked a close friend of mine to accompany me when visiting a
nearby clinic. The specialist diagnosed my illness, and handed me a long
list of medicine which I had to take during day.
Sunday, 29 July,
There were some big explosions near Bab al-Mudham in the early morning.
It was another hot day. People were all talking about the big football match
between Iraq's national team and its Saudi counterpart. It was the final.
Iraqis, men and women, old and young, wanted no less than victory. I was
optimistic that we would win. Victory and winning the Asian National Cup
would boost our people morale. Iraqis, regardless of their race, religious
and age, were crying of joy every time our national team beats another
country. Deep down in my heart I knew people' dreams would come true.
I went to the Green Zone with a close friend of mine. I was not well enough
to go; but I had an interview which had to be make. My Secretary, Um
Haitham, contacted me, asking why I did not show up. I told her that would
be at my office as soon as I complete my paper works. It took us a long time
to leave the Green Zone. So I was not able to go my office. As there was no
electricity or water, the INLA's staff decided to go home at 12.00, after
taking permission from my office. My driver was waiting for me, when I left
the Green Zone. I was not in good health at all. My colleague decided to
wait for his car. The main roads were half-empty; as people went straight to
their homes to watch the match of their lives. To prevent further terrorist
attacks on innocent civilians in case Iraq wins the Asian Cup, the
government imposed a partial curfew on all vehicles. I was exhausted when
arriving to my home. At 16.00, I tuned on the TV. The football match started
at 16.30. There was no body outside. All people were inside their houses
watching their national team playing the arch enemy Saudi Arabia. From the
start the Iraqis dominated the match. Iraq scored the only goal of the match
20 minutes before the end. People poured into the streets celebrating the
victory. People ignored the curfew; they just wanted to be happy to dance to
run to scream to be free of shackles, notably bombs. Iraq as a whole was
celebrating; Kurds and Arabs, Sunnis and Shi'is, Muslims and Christians.
Football united a nation at a time when worthless politicians failed to
unite even their own communities, which they claim to represent.
Monday, 30 July,
It was another hot day. I was not in good health. We had no, electricity,
water or internet. Yet, everybody was smiling, because Iraq's national
football team won the Asian Nations' Cup the day before. Some of the staff
was busying distributing sweets and refreshment among their colleagues. WE
made 8-meter long banner in which the INLA's staff said thank you to the
Iraq National Team. But, it was not a happy day for everybody; Miss. Em, who
works at the British Archival collections, phoned her colleagues, saying
that her younger brother died in his bed in front of her yesterday night. He
was not even sick. Her mother was still in hospitable suffering from various
illnesses. The bad news did not stop there. A ruthless sniper injured the
daughter of Mr. Ak, who is our creative carpenter. She was shot in the back
in a very critical area. Doctors were hesitant about removing the bullet
from her back. Everybody was involving in helping our dear carpenter with
money. The INLA's administration would help him with the cost of the operation.
I offered my condolences to the head of the INLA's security personnel
concerning the death of his nephew on Wednesday. The nephew was killed
during a car bomb, while he was celebrating with his friends the victory of
the National Team.
I was informed that another library worker was forced to leave her house in
al-Saidiyah district, after her family received a death threat.
There were rumors that the Ministry of Finance was thinking about freezing
the annual budgets of the Ministry of Culture and the General Directorates.
The reasons were unknown. I informed my colleagues, if the Ministry of
Finance decided to freeze our budget, we would go on strike indefinitely.
As the hot weather was unbearable I asked my staff to go home. No one was
able to work under such severe conditions.
Tuesday, 31 July,
It was another hot day. We were lucky, as electricity returned at 8.30. Most
districts of Baghdad had no electricity, including the area where I live.
The receptionist, who lost his son a few months ago, came to my office. He
explained that he received another death threat, and that he had to look for
another house for his family. He needed some time off. I was informed that
one of our receptionists, who was 59 years old, died of some illness.
Mrs. Eh, from the Administration Department, told me that a Shi'i militia
came to her house, demanding that one of her sons had to join the militia.
Mrs. and husband are both Sunnis. She asked me to help her. I told her she
could bring her son with her to the INLA, where he could help the staff of
the binding unit. She agreed to the idea.
I toured the rooms of the Micrographic Department. I was surprised to learnt
that in spite of having no electricity and the closure of the INLA for
several days, the staff of the department was able to shoot more than 17
thousands documents. It has been the highest figure since early 2007.
Statistics for the Impact of Sectarian violence on the INLA's Staff, July 2007
6 Threat and Displacement of Staff
3 damages to property (one burnt-down house brunt and two hijacked long
vehicles)
2 unlawful arrest and torture by the National guards
1 unlawful death of close relative
Last Note
There will be no Diary any more. The real reason is that I feel guilty about
writing it. For sometime now, I have felt deep-down that I have been
exploiting the tragedies and scarifies of my staff, especially those who
lost their lives. I discovered that by writing the diary I put a very heavy
moral burden on my shoulders; as if I have been emotionally blackmailing the
readers. I do strongly believe that I have no right to do so. I seize this
opportunity to apologize sincerely to everybody.
But I would like to thank a lot of people who sent their messages of
support, which my staff and I truly appreciate.
I would also like to express my gratefulness to the British Library,
Britain's Society of Archivists and the Spanish newspaper El Pais for
publishing the Diary on their web-sites.
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