Iraq seeks investors for ‘honeymoon isle’

[kskiska]

Source: Stars and Stripes

Iraq hopes to consummate a deal with a developer to turn "Baghdad’s Honeymoon Island" into a world-class resort.

"Iraq’s Tourism Board is seeking investors for the development of Jazirat Al A’ras, also known as Jazirat Janin, a romantic island in the heart of historic Baghdad, on the Tigris River," the board said in a Tuesday news release.

Featuring a recreational lake on its north side, the island has a "history of being a romantic getaway for newlywed couples to honeymoon and relax," according to the board.

The project has an estimated cost of between $2.5 and $4.5 billion, and it is expected to take between four to six years once construction begins.

(snip)

"Attacks against military and civilian targets throughout Iraq continue, including in the International (or "Green") Zone," the travel warning said. "Targets include hotels, restaurants, police stations, checkpoints, foreign diplomatic missions, and international organizations and other locations with expatriate personnel. Such attacks can occur at any time. Kidnappings still occur; the most recent kidnapping of an American citizen occurred in August 2007."

Noticeably absent from the State Department’s description of conditions in Iraq are the words "romantic getaway."

Read more: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=57039

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. You can't pay me to be a tourist over there. In fact, if you _did_ try to

pay me I would use the money to get some people out of there.

[YOY]

2. Tell me this is a joke.

They're making a romantic get-a-way in a f***ing DMZ.

Let me guess where the money is coming from and going to.... I smell pork...international pork.

Same for that golf course and ferris wheel.

[shaniqua6392]

3. Will I be able to frolick around in my bikini?

No one will ever want to "vacation in Baghdad". How hilarious. I had no idea our troops were over there in such a wonderful and romantic place!!!:sarcasm:

[Just-plain-Kathy]

4. Let me take a guess...Bush and Cheney are giving Baghdad to Dubai,

they create beautiful vacation spots in Dubai.