(Translated by Jun Mori)
From Baghdad
Received:19:51JST, 12/06/03
Yesterday I began a research on depleted uranium bombs and on contaminations at the pillaged nuclear facilities. As for the Iraqi tanks, none was left in the Baghdad city centre, having been cleared away by the American troops some two days ago. But in areas that met heavy aerial bombardments, the radiation meter indicated clearly abnormal levels.
The barrels containing yellow cakes - which Iraqi civilians had removed from the Al-Tuwaitha nuclear facilities - were retrieved by the Americans, purchased at three dollars a barrel. But the machine-like instruments used to mix yellow cakes were left abandoned in a residential area, with traces of the substance showing a radiation level one thousand times higher than the safety limit. Residents, however, had not been informed of the danger; none of them knew the identity of the substance. How could they, with no survey meter at their disposal?
Americans nor anybody else were dealing with the danger. I asked a passing policeman to clear the barrels away.
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Depleted uranium bombs discovered in Mahamadhia, the suburbs of Baghdad
Received:22:56JST, 14/06/03
In baghdad, I found a number of tanks destroyed by depleted uranium bombs. All in residential districts. The residents were worried, but no information was forthcoming. In today' Iraq, no one informs no one. Civilians must do what they can to protect themselves. A sad state of affairs, for which Americans must assume the responsibility.
An Iraqi tank destroyed by depleted uranium bombs in a commercial district, some 35km southwest of Baghdad. It has been abandoned there for over two months. Residents feel a vague sense of danger, but are helpless when it comes to actually having it removed. There's no one to deal with this huge contaminated tank.
Worried residents come out to gather
Vollage children near the Al-Tuwaitha nuclear facilities, south of Baghdad
Damage caused by cluster bombs
Received:21:42JST, 17/06/03
At about eleven o'clock on the night of 4th April, a lorry driver, Kashim(43), his brother Esam(37) and their cousin Selam(25) were watching an American bombardment on Baghdad, standing in front of their house. Suddenly, there was a huge explosion nearby and blood ran everywhere.
Kashim's tank lorry went up in flame. On the wall I saw a piece of black cloth marking his and his brother's death.
The explosion was caused by a cluster bomb hitting Kashim's tank lorry parked after the day's work. An area of two hundred-meter radius was affected, with seventeen deaths among its residents. A huge 'parent' bomb was discovered by a highway, 1150 meters from Kashim's house.
The 'parent' bomb that fell by the highway. Hundreds of 'baby' shells were contained within, which spewed forth in all directions to create a widespread damage.
By the highway outside Dora I found four "parent" bombs. A huge number of them were dropped in this area. The farmer I met in the hospital was one of the victims brought in from this area.
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Kashim's bereaved family
I found Safaa
Received :16:23JST, 21/06/03
I was able to confirm Safaa's safety, a source of concern for many of you.
Safaa lived through the war at home, which was spared by the bombs that fell in the area by hundreds. She had been missing since December, 1998. Her leukaemia had recurred three years ago, causing her to lose the hair which had grown back to shoulder length after that photograph had been taken. Well on her way to recovery, she now goes to the hospital only once a month for treatments. Since the relapse, she has been resting at home as her doctor had recommended. She says she's anxious to return to school.
She's 13 years old now. One already senses the adult she will become. Her dream is to become a medical doctor. Having received so many painful injections herself, she jokes about giving them to her future patients. She's a playful, charming girl who would like to visit Japan one day. Her family was concerned about her illness, but was greatly relieved by her gradual recovery.
Safaa
With Safaa
Safaa with her family
Now a few words about Safaa's family.
Her father, Majeddo Al, worked in the old regime's Ministry of Internal Affairs, which explained his family's reluctance to receive foreign visitors - the fact that made my search for Safaa even more difficult. But having been an engineer responsible for the maintenance of the Ministry building, he is not among those held accountable for the policies of the old regime, so he's finally able to talk to us. Safaa's mother is a teacher, besides being Safaa's private tutor. Safaa's elder sister, Maroa Maje, and her younger sister, Hadiya Maje, bring the total number of the family to five.
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American troops guarding the Ministry of Oil
Received:16:23JST, 21/06/03
This scene sympolises one of the objectives of the war.
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Safaa's letter
Received:12:04JST, 25/06/03
Safaa, recovering from the leukaemia, has written us a thank-you letter. (translated by Takashi Morizumi)
I'd like to thank all those who have supported me and the Iraqi children, after having seen my photograph.
Especially, I'd like to thank those in Japan who have shown their support for the Iraqi children suffering from leukaemia like myself.
Being in good health right now, I am full of hope for a happy, healthy life for years to come-and for a chance to visit Japan in future.
When that time comes, I'll be asking for your support once again.
23 June, 2003
Safaa Majeddo Al
*Remark: Safaa has not completely recovered from her leukaemia; the fear of relapse is ever-present.
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