GAUTIER — British by birth but now carrying their American citizenship, Albert and Doris Mitchell of Gautier watch the live coverage of the war with Iraq and reminisce of the 10 years they spent in the Iraq.
“You’ve got to back them 100 percent,” Bert said of the U.S. and British troops.
Even though an allied victory seems likely, democracy in Iraq is unlikely, he said.
If left in the hands of the Iraqis, the new government will not be one of democracy, Bert said.
“They are told who to vote for. This war won’t change a thing unless someone else forms the government,” he said. “When Saddam Hussein’s picture comes down someone else’s will go up.”
The Muslim culture was foreign to the Mitchells when they moved to Iraq in 1953. Bert worked in construction through a contract with Iraq Petroleum, a multi national oil company. Bert said many of those who follow the Muslim faith are “good people.” But, he added, there are others who have taken the faith that worships Allah and have turned it into something cruel that doesn’t respect the lives of others.
The Mitchells rented a home from the Iraqi Minister of Oil while in Iraq. The home was about 30 miles from Baghdad. Because the family was not involved in government, most of their time in the country was pleasant. There were days of playing golf and nights of entertaining guests in their home. A walk to the market resulted in taking time to visit and share a cool drink.
Doris Mitchell, as hostess for the British Trade Fair, once made a cake for King Faisal II.
“We had a good time,” she said.
But not long after the festive evening with Faisal, the 22-year-old Iraqi king was assassinated. His body was paraded through the streets as a sign of victory.
Another memory Doris shared was when she reported to police that inappropriate advances were made toward a maid by a cook who worked for them. When the police arrived they did not charge him with a crime but rather beat him in the front yard.
“They asked me if that was enough,” she said. “They offered to kick him some more.”
When the Mitchells’ daughter, Bonnie, suffered from appendicitis at age 13, the couple saw first hand the fear that many Iraqis have endured.
While they were treated well at the hospital and their daughter received her medical care, an Iraqi official was brought in for emergency medical care for a stab wound.
With armed guards stationed outside the official’s hospital room, medical personnel feared for their life.
“If he had died somebody would have been killed,” Bert said.
“They are a cruel, cruel people,” Doris said. “Coming from a civilized country you can’t imagine what it’s like.”
