Just Another Day: Living In Baghdad

Lara Logan On How Ordinary Citizen Cope In Iraq's Capital

(CBS)  When 60 Minutes asked Mahmud's teen-aged daughter Rheem what the hardest thing is about her life, she said it is seeing things she can't forget.

All of his children, Rafif, 11, and 13-year-old Mustafa, have seen things no parent wants their child to see. "One day, we see there's two fighter, they killed two boys in front of us," Mahmud explains.

Mahmud says the two fighters just shot the two people in the street and left their bodies on the road. "And they see the blood of them," he explains.

His children remember the incident, and his daughter wept when asked about it.

It’s a story heard over and over in Iraq. And no one has been spared, not even the most privileged.

Dr. Quoresh al-Kasir is one of Iraq's most prominent surgeons, and was a guest of President Bush at the White House in 2004. He and his family lived on Haifa Street, an upscale Sunni area, where fighting broke out in January between the mostly-Shiite Iraqi army and Sunni gunmen.

"The Iraqi Army tried to kill my family and my kids," Dr. Quoresh explains.

That was when CBS News first spoke to Quoresh. He and his family were trapped by the fighting, and CBS broadcast his desperate cry for help on the Evening News.

"The snipers were on the other building," Quoresh explains. "When the shots started to come through the windows my sons and my daughter, you know, they were in front of my eyes, expecting at any moment the Iraqi army comes and shoots my children."

His wife Nala, sons Zaid and Taif, and his daughter Dina still can’t believe they survived.

"What was it like for you that time, when you were stuck in the apartment, trapped there during the fighting?" Logan asks Dina.

"I feel I will be dying," she recalls.

Her brothers nod in agreement. "'Cause this is the end," Zaid adds.

"You thought it was the end?" Logan asks.

"We are all are crying, me and husband, and my son, and my daughter all are crying that time," Quoresh's wife Nala remembers.

As the fighting raged for 10 days, they all hid in the bathroom of their dark apartment, without heat, electricity, and running short of food.

"We were so hungry at that time," Quoresh remembers. "So my wife said, 'Quoresh, we had to had, I don't know, the kids are hungry.'"

"I go to the kitchen and prepare something to eat," Nala explains. But out of fear of the snipers, Quoresh's wife couldn't walk upright past the windows.

"So she crawled and went to the kitchen. And then we sat in the bathroom near the restroom. We ate," he remembers.

The day after the CBS News report about the doctor and his family’s plight was broadcast, the U.S. decided to launch a rare rescue mission, sending in soldiers from the 4/9 Cavalry to save them.

With U.S. helicopters hovering over Haifa Street, a convoy of Bradley fighting vehicles drove down the dangerous road to Quoresh's house. When soldiers yelled to locate them, the family came out, luggage in hand, and was hurried into the Bradley vehicles and taken to safety. No shots were fired and the rescue mission was very quick and precise.

"We heard the helicopters starting to come to the area," Quoresh recalls. "My sons and daughter said, 'Oh, Baba, the American started to reach the area.'"

"I remember that. It was a moment really, it was a start of a new life," Quoresh says, describing his feelings of the rescue.

Quoresh's daughter Dina says the rescue was "like a dream."

His life was saved, but Quoresh lost his home and almost everything he owned. He says he was targeted because he’s a doctor.

Nearly 200 physicians, including 15 of Quoresh's closest friends, have been murdered by those intent on destroying Iraqi society, which is one reason why 18,000 Iraqi doctors – half the physicians in the country – have fled for fear of ending up like many of the people who pass through their hospital doors.

Asked why he remains in Iraq, Quoresh tells Logan, "This is the big question that I have been asked from so many people."

"And what's the answer?" Logan asks.

"And the answer is that I love Iraq," he replies. "Yeah. This is my country."

[webstle]

Yep! We're with you! In the middle of death squads and car bombs, we are sure the people were still so petty as to be concerned with cleavage and custom as you were--instead of being able to tell their stories. Get a clue--prioritize. People are dying, and being raped, beheaded, etc. Garbage is in the streets, and people are hungry--you be petty and worry about the cleavage instead of focusing on the actual message--the horrors of our war of choice--we'll catch you later when you find that clue.
Posted by toldyouso21 at 12:34 AM : Apr 23, 2007

You Did notice the man Left Not Just town but the country after the interview? The Death squads target those who allow Islam to be disrespected by not requiring proper dress in their home! He had a workable solution in place until that interview....thats how important it was...The man was an outcast after that visit and his family was placed in jeopardy by Ms Logans lack of attention to detail...I see many posts about her experience in the middle east...if that is true ..she HAD to know better!

[andymancando]

This is worth reading:
http://www.usip.org/isg/iraq_study_group_report/report/1206/iraq_study_group_report.pdf

[jfeicht]

George Bush needs to be stopped. This tory sickened me. Almsost made me cry. I figured it was bad there, but seeing video of what everyone, especially kids, go through. Bush is trying to "win the war" that he started. Where is Osama? This is a personal war. His daddy couldn't get Sadam, so he was determined to. He has to be impeached. If not, thousands more will die before November '08. To the Iraqi people: I am sorry! Please do not judge all who live in the United States by our warmonger president. Bush is arrogant and it is costing thousands their lives and and their loved ones grief. Georgie, admit you are wrong. Or go over there amidst the fighting and maybe that will change your mind. Better yet, apologize to the Iraqi people, tell them you were wrong and let them start their lives over without the USA having to be involved. Stop polocing the world. George needs to leave office and soon.

[shoffman123]

This piece really opened my eyes to the daily struggle ordinary Iraqi citizens living in Baghdad must face. I thought it was well done and insightful.

[bergis1]

Am I watching 60 minutes or Barbie in Bagdad? I found Lara's piece very well down but shouldn't she have shown the respect for their culture by wearing appropriate clothing? My daughter was recently working for a NGO in Afganistan and would not have thought to go to a muslim home without covering and certainly not by showing cleavage! Oh well, if you've got it why not flaunt it.

[andymancando]

Lara did an excellent job. She's forgotten more about mideast culture than the 'average American' will ever know. She's risking her life so you can see what's actually going on over there.
More about Lara from her bio:
(CBS) Lara Logan was named a CBS News correspondent in May 2002 and has also contributes to 60 Minutes.

She provided daily reports on the war in Iraq and was the only journalist from an American network in Baghdad when American troops invaded the city, reporting live from Firdos Square as the statue of Saddam fell.

Logan has reported extensively from the frontlines of Afghanistan and has followed the Green Berets as they search for Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden.

[elgraz]

I've heard that there is an all expense paid 2 weeks vacation at the Baghdad Hilton for you people. You'll love it there. Contact expedia.com.

[prinsue]

Lara Logan's interview with the family in Baghdad was extremely insensitive. Not only did she not cover her head, but her unthinking question at the dinner table reduced a young woman to tears. Completely unnecessary. She did the same thing with Mahmoud. Was she not properly advised?

[andymancando]

I was very touched by the story of Mahmud al Wadi family. Is there some place we can donate money to help these people as they try to survive this conflict? CBS needs to ensure that it's a legitimate site.
Seeing his daughter cry when talking about the murders she witnessed just made me see how this was a young girl from anywhere in the world that should never have to go through this. Just tragic.
It was a powerful story. How can we help???

[nocigars]

I too was appalled at Laura Logan's dress code. What ever happened to (When in Rome ...)

[amazeus-2009]

Amazing! The "chief foreign correspondent" for CBS, Lara Logan, does an interview in clothing that shouts total disrespect for the struggling, desparate family she is interviewing. It is as if she/CBS does not have a clue about the culture. Then she asks soft questions and urges . . . waits for tears.

For the record I'm a fairly ordinary white, middle class American christian who values diversity. I have respected much of what 60 Minutes has done over many years. This piece was appalling. It was more subtle than Imus but displayed the same insensitivity.

[dallison7]

There couldn%u2019t be a better metaphor for what it%u2019s like living in Baghdad today: without his gun, Mahmud won%u2019t even attempt the drive.

He calls ahead to friends and neighbors to make sure the roads are clear of danger. And he tells Logan he never goes the same way, changing his route every day.




CARE TO COMMENT, SENATOR McCAIN??

[cbs_oliver]

Meanwhile the US military is shooting kisses and dropping lollipops from airplanes and helecopters.

The local militias should stop this senseless violence and go back where they belong.

[karlimhof]

I fear we may have to KILL with Prejudice until Hadji starts respecting OUR TRIBE!!
Posted by didntinhale but does swallow

your tribe? take it and shove it - people like you are the reason we're in this quagmire and have an idiot in the white house with all his neocon warmongers. when you go out the door, the sudden pressure on your brain is coming from our collective boot up your azzz.

[bluestardad]

Hey was McCain just over there saying this place was safer now?

[toldyouso21]

Frankly, they deserve all they're getting over there. I'm just sorry that Americans are dying for a worthless nation over there. They treat their dogs better than they treat their women. Wonder why Hillary and Nancy Pelosi can't see that.
Posted by lisacarley at 12:35 AM : Apr 23, 2007


You should read your own comments--if their outlook and comments were terrible and they treat their dogs better--yours were even worse? They deserve what they are getting over there? Rapes, beheadings etc. So at least they treat their dogs better--but look at you---you appear to be worse than they are, they do NOT deserve what we are doing to them no matter what they believe--if you don't care about how we are destroying a people who did nothing to us--then at least have enough self respect of how you have allowed your own self to be destroyed--until you resemble a depraved terrorist. They too, think the people that get harmed deserve everything they get and then some. Welcome to the club of inhumanity--may you live long enough to regret your horrible words and experience enough trials to have empathy for those you wish evil and our illegal war on.

[feelfree1]

toldyouso21 at 12:30 AM ,

Nicely put.

The Bush regime dead-enders are eager to risk the blood, treasure, and dignity of others, so long as they are not asked to risk anything.

Fortunately, they are in their last throes.

[lisacarley]

you know...I felt sorry for the family until the father said that his daughter being raped would be "worse" than her death. And the ditsy blonde reporter didn't even flinch. Americans are constantly taking it for granted that ALL of its people are FREE and EQUAL under the law. These Iraqi people are victims of an ungodly religion. No God would want that kind of judgement brought upon it's women. Frankly, they deserve all they're getting over there. I'm just sorry that Americans are dying for a worthless nation over there. They treat their dogs better than they treat their women. Wonder why Hillary and Nancy Pelosi can't see that.

[toldyouso21]

just saw Ms. Logan's report and it is of course terrible what we have released there in Iraq. But after being in Iraq for years I was more shocked that Ms. Logan disrespected the families she interviewed by not covering herself. Posted by webstle at 08:17 PM : Apr 22, 2007


Yep! We're with you! In the middle of death squads and car bombs, we are sure the people were still so petty as to be concerned with cleavage and custom as you were--instead of being able to tell their stories. Get a clue--prioritize. People are dying, and being raped, beheaded, etc. Garbage is in the streets, and people are hungry--you be petty and worry about the cleavage instead of focusing on the actual message--the horrors of our war of choice--we'll catch you later when you find that clue.

[toldyouso21]

Those of us that live in the USA are blessed not to have to see our families go through that kind of torment day in and day out! May God help the parents and their children who are prisoners in their own homesPosted by cmcneil7 at 07:49 PM : Apr 22, 2007

I can think of nothing more cowardly than Americans wanting to fight a war we choose "over there, so we don't have to fight them over here" Why is that a good choice? Why do we want to destroy another country for our own war and destroy another people while we sit at home and cheer it all on? It is like a grown up grabbing a child to use as a shield against a gunman. It is depraved and craven. Only people with no honor fight by proxy--if we really believe in this fight and that so many should die for it--let's put our money and our fire power where our mouths are--let the fight come to us--maybe then, when we have to live like Iraqis--we can truly understand a weigh the costs of a war of choice and the terrible losses it inflicts. We need to fight them here--since we are the ones who want a fight==and stop volunteering other countries for our bs. May God forgive us for being the cause of this particular story and all the others that have resulted from the power vacuum our invasion unleashed.