G.I.'s Enjoy Plush Respite of Iraqi Army

[Rose Siding]

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Behind tall concrete barriers and rolls of razor wire, the United States Army has converted a former officers' club of the Iraqi Republican Guard into a little oasis for weary G.I.'s.

The sprawling complex here in the heart of Baghdad has been stripped of its portraits of Saddam Hussein and its Baath Party trappings. It now serves as the First Armored Division's version of a five-star hotel for as many as 100 soldiers at a time who are lucky enough to get a three-day, two-night pass. More than 1,800 troops have stayed there since it opened as a hotel in mid-October.

Called Freedom Rest, it offers a sauna, an outdoor swimming pool, a 100-seat movie theater, weight rooms and 24-hour food service with a menu that includes T-bone steaks and lobster. In the renovated marble lobby, uniformed attendants sweep up cigarette butts and serve cold drinks beneath glass chandeliers.

"It's a great escape from getting mortared," said Sgt. Xochitl Barragan, 27, of Fort Worth, as she emerged dripping from the huge pool, where air defense and engineer specialists had just finished a splash contest off the 10-meter diving board.

The Army has long provided rest and recuperation escapes to improve morale for troops on extended assignments. With most soldiers in Iraq now pulling yearlong tours, the Army has undertaken one of its most ambitious programs ever to keep soldiers' spirits high

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/11/international/middleeast/11MORA.html

[tabasco]

1. If there's no girls there...

it's really not R&R.

[Zhade]

7. You read too fast! :-p

"It's a great escape from getting mortared," said Sgt. Xochitl Barragan, 27, of Fort Worth, as she emerged dripping from the huge pool, where air defense and engineer specialists had just finished a splash contest off the 10-meter diving board.

;)

[renegade000]

2. does it seem ironic

that we are occupying and using all the former regime buildings for the same purposes that they were previously used for? it seems that we should be disinclined to do this because of the connotations this activity gives to the iraqis...

[celestia671]

3. It was always my opinion...

that the old palaces should have been given to the Iraqi people for use by hospitals, housing, etc.

[alfredo]

4. That's something a liberator may do.

Occupiers don't have to think about the needs or desires of the people.

[isbister]

9. I agree

This seems like an unwise way to use it. Could make the people angry.

[Zhade]

8. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

Paul Bremer does the same, occupying Hussein's old palace.

Such symbolism gets people killed.

[The_Casual_Observer]

5. Illigitimate Occupation Force

T-Bones and Beer for the Boneheads. This force is in place to kill people to secure the oil fields for the US. They know it and are going along with it cheerfully. Fuck them all.

[PartyPooper]

6. "Freedom Rest Hotel" is just too friggin' over-the-top for me!

Pardon me, while I puke.

:puke:

[psychopomp]

10. FREEDOM REST???

Tacky and just plain dumb. How about "Hornets' Nest Hotel" instead?