Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=04/21/03

TYPE=SPECIAL REPORT

TITLE=CHINESE IN IRAQ

NUMBER=9-26

BYLINE=WILLIAM CHIEN

DATELINE=KUWAIT

UNVOICED:

///EDS: ACTS IN DALET/HOUSE SHARED/MONDAY/"9-WCH-KUWAIT-CHINESE IN IRAQ///

INTRO: During the brief war in Iraq, three scholars from China have stayed in Baghdad and continued their research. In this report they share their personal experiences with Voice of America's William Chien.

TEXT: Mr. ZHANG Hao (Johng How) was on sabbatical from his university back in China when the fighting erupted. As bombs rained and the skies filled with acrid black smoke, Zhang was one of the few foreign scholars in Baghdad who decided to stay put. We met up with each other at the Baghdad International Relations Institute. He tells me why he held on despite the difficulties.

///ZHANG ACT///

I decided to stay in Baghdad to better understand the fighting abilities of the Iraqi military system and to study the attitude of the Iraqi people towards their government. While staying in Baghdad definitely had its dangers, I did not feel that my personal safety was in jeopardy. The rewards of staying have definitely been worthwhile, but there have been difficulties. For example, the food I survived on was all acquired before the war started. The lack of water and electricity has been the most difficult aspect of life in Baghdad.

///END ACT///

Zhang was not alone. Two other scholars from the People's Republic of China proved equally tenacious. Mr. GU Ya-chen (Goo Yah-chen) remained at the Baghdad Middle East Politics Institute and Mr. HE Ping-hua (HUH Ping-hwa) held on to his post at the Baghdad Strategic Institute.

During the war, the three often ate together. Their meals were very simple, usually only two bowls of instant noodles a day. There was no way to cook a full meal. At the onset of war, these Chinese scholars sent their family members to the safety of neighboring countries. They used satellite telephones and a special phone line supplied by their work unit to keep in touch with the world. However, they all stated that because of the interruption to television service, they do not know the situation in the rest of Iraq.

Mr. Zhang states that when coalition troops attacked, the Iraq soldiers were low-spirited and never resembled the brave soldiers bragged about by Saddam Hussein. Mr. Zhang theorizes that many years of oppression under Saddam's regime made Iraqis violent after they were liberated.

He Pinghua at Baghdad Strategic Institute describes the looting situation in Baghdad.

///HE ACT///

The looting of the palaces of Hussein's two sons, government offices and Hussein's public palace demonstrates the frustrated emotional state of the oppressed and indignant Iraqi people. However, the looting of museums and foreign embassies by mobs is extremely frightening. Cars, documents, and office equipment at foreign embassies were burnt. The destruction of cultural and historic relics and documents is the most disturbing.

///ACT END///

None of the three had heard of any Chinese-owned shops being looted. Mr. Gu believes the healthy relations between China and Iraq for the past few years contribute to the treatment Chinese nationals receive in Iraq. (Signed)