Angelina Jolie and Iraq

DuH2 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-29-2008, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Staying to Help in Iraq

We have finally reached a point where humanitarian assistance, from us and others, can have an impact.

By Angelina Jolie
Thursday, February 28, 2008; 1:15 PM

The request is familiar to American ears: "Bring them home."

But in Iraq, where I've just met with American and Iraqi leaders, the phrase carries a different meaning. It does not refer to the departure of U.S. troops, but to the return of the millions of innocent Iraqis who have been driven out of their homes and, in many cases, out of the country.

In the six months since my previous visit to Iraq with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, this humanitarian crisis has not improved. However, during the last week, the United States, UNHCR and the Iraqi government have begun to work together in new and important ways.

We still don't know exactly how many Iraqis have fled their homes, where they've all gone, or how they're managing to survive. Here is what we do know: More than 2 million people are refugees inside their own country -- without homes, jobs and, to a terrible degree, without medicine, food or clean water. Ethnic cleansing and other acts of unspeakable violence have driven them into a vast and very dangerous no-man's land. Many of the survivors huddle in mosques, in abandoned buildings with no electricity, in tents or in one-room huts made of straw and mud. Fifty-eight percent of these internally displaced people are younger than 12 years old.

An additional 2.5 million Iraqis have sought refuge outside Iraq, mainly in Syria and Jordan. But those host countries have reached their limits. Overwhelmed by the refugees they already have, these countries have essentially closed their borders until the international community provides support.

I'm not a security expert, but it doesn't take one to see that Syria and Jordan are carrying an unsustainable burden. They have been excellent hosts, but we can't expect them to care for millions of poor Iraqis indefinitely and without assistance from the U.S. or others. One-sixth of Jordan's population today is Iraqi refugees. The large burden is already causing tension internally.

The Iraqi families I've met on my trips to the region are proud and resilient. They don't want anything from us other than the chance to return to their homes -- or, where those homes have been bombed to the ground or occupied by squatters, to build new ones and get back to their lives. One thing is certain: It will be quite a while before Iraq is ready to absorb more than 4 million refugees and displaced people. But it is not too early to start working on solutions. And last week, there were signs of progress.

In Baghdad, I spoke with Army Gen. David Petraeus about UNHCR's need for security information and protection for its staff as they re-enter Iraq, and I am pleased that he has offered that support. General Petraeus also told me he would support new efforts to address the humanitarian crisis "to the maximum extent possible" -- which leaves me hopeful that more progress can be made.

UNHCR is certainly committed to that. Last week while in Iraq, High Commissioner António Guterres pledged to increase UNHCR's presence there and to work closely with the Iraqi government, both in assessing the conditions required for return and in providing humanitarian relief.

During my trip I also met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who has announced the creation of a new committee to oversee issues related to internally displaced people, and a pledge of $40 million to support the effort.

My visit left me even more deeply convinced that we not only have a moral obligation to help displaced Iraqi families, but also a serious, long-term, national security interest in ending this crisis.

Today's humanitarian crisis in Iraq -- and the potential consequences for our national security -- are great. Can the United States afford to gamble that 4 million or more poor and displaced people, in the heart of Middle East, won't explode in violent desperation, sending the whole region into further disorder?

What we cannot afford, in my view, is to squander the progress that has been made. In fact, we should step up our financial and material assistance. UNHCR has appealed for $261 million this year to provide for refugees and internally displaced persons. That is not a small amount of money -- but it is less than the U.S. spends each day to fight the war in Iraq. I would like to call on each of the presidential candidates and congressional leaders to announce a comprehensive refugee plan with a specific timeline and budget as part of their Iraq strategy.

As for the question of whether the surge is working, I can only state what I witnessed: U.N. staff and those of non-governmental organizations seem to feel they have the right set of circumstances to attempt to scale up their programs. And when I asked the troops if they wanted to go home as soon as possible, they said that they miss home but feel invested in Iraq. They have lost many friends and want to be a part of the humanitarian progress they now feel is possible.

It seems to me that now is the moment to address the humanitarian side of this situation. Without the right support, we could miss an opportunity to do some of the good we always stated we intended to do.

Angelina Jolie, an actor, is a UNHCR goodwill ambassador.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...022702217.html
(you have to register(zz) so I just did the article)

Other then not being too impressed with her husband exchange program Though I think she may be done with that....

I've always respected Jolie in her Humanitarian work..
She's not the look at me have a ribbon type she goes out whether anyone is watching or not and does really good work and has for years.

She makes a very good point..leaving Iraq as some want would be a humanitarian disaster. I dont think there is anyway anyone can deny that...other then to say they don't give a (*)(*)(*)(*).

...

(I've always kinda wondered at what point Brad Pitt found out she wasn't kidding about her humanitarian work.)

She has a every so often article in the Washington Post.
Heres one from her about Darfur-
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...022701161.html

BroncoBilly · #2 (**permalink**) 02-29-2008, 09:44 AM

I'm with you Duh, that woman walks her talk.

Daybreaker · #3 (**permalink**) 02-29-2008, 11:23 AM

Amazon Ninjas rule.

I feel like an idiot, 'cause I think that a celebrity said something intelligent, and usually the only people who find a lot of meaning in the statements of celebrities are idiots.

But Angelina Jolie does seem cool. I mean, she actually helps people -- what's cooler than that?

NJV · #4 (**permalink**) 02-29-2008, 02:01 PM

That's cool. And she's pretty

Truth-Bringer · #5 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 04:08 AM

Don't see why it was off topic. The issue is celebrity support of the war. If you want to talk about one celebrity, you have to be willing to talk about all of them...

Joker · #6 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 07:53 AM

I know I have jumped to conclusions in the past. I didn't actually watch the video, so maybe I reacted too quickly.

Could you briefly explain what Spears' opinion is on Iraqi refugees as expressed in the video?

BillyBob · #7 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJV

Her Billy Bob tattoo. That's cool. And she's pretty

Yeah....I kinda miss her......

EiregoSod · #8 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroncoBilly

I'm with you Duh, that woman walks her talk.

unlike you

BroncoBilly · #9 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EiregoSod

unlike you

How so? Being that this is an anonymous forum, and other than you trying to flame me, how would you know whether I walk my talk or not?

EiregoSod · #10 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroncoBilly

How so? Being that this is an anonymous forum, and other than you trying to flame me, how would you know whether I walk my talk or not?

you're the biggest cheerleader for the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan and your only sacrifice is to accept a tax cut.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Former head of Iraq Secret Police+a prop judge hanged(Iraq)	DuH2	Law & Justice	1	01-14-2007 08:53 PM
The Holy Virgin Mother Jolie?	Joker	United States	1	01-07-2007 11:41 AM
Iraq study group - 'Iraq policy not working'	exigent	Current Events	54	12-14-2006 12:43 AM
How Long Before Iraq Won't Iraq Need Us	Winningsmile	Current Events	5	09-17-2004 05:17 PM