Affichage de 11 résultats

Interview with Audrey Gillan, Guardian Home News Chief Reporter. Conducted by Leslie Plommer on 23 May 2003. This is the first of a series of interviews with Guardian staff who covered the Iraq War of March-April 2003. Also includes a data sheet containing biographical details about the subject and information about the recording, as well as Guardian newspaper articles published by Audrey Gillan covering the Iraq War.

Summary contents of interview (with rough timings):

Disc 1:
Track 1
00.15 Introductions
00.39 Meeting held by the Guardian in October 2002. Discussion on how to cover a possible war in Iraq. Roles allocated to correspondents
01.50 Told she would be going to Iraq if war broke out
02.10 Did not volunteer
02.45 Form of training. Hostile environment training run by former armed forces
03.10 Discusses hostile environment training. How to deal with kidnap situations
03.30 Intensive first aid training. Taught to clear landmines
03.48 Nuclear and biological warfare training
04.00 Ministry of Defence organised further training for press staff
04.30 Use of CS gas chamber to test drills
04.43 Training course with RAF. Taught importance of personal hygiene, how to construct tent, use of rationing food
04.58 Own fitness regime
05.20 Process of journalist selection
06.55 Appointed to join the Household Cavalry D squadron, a front line armoured unit within the 16 Air Assualt Brigade
07.10 Women war correspondents advised that the 16 Air Assualt Brigade did not want female correspondents
07.45 Upset over possibility that she would not be covering conflict due to gender
08.00 Decision over-ruled
08.45 Trepidation before leaving the UK
09.00 Scared by chemical warfare training
09.45 Encouraged to take Anthrax vaccination. Fear over side effects

10.38 Medical support from the Guardian
10.50 Decision over Anthrax vaccination
11.30 Attendents on training courses included newspaper, radio and television journalists from around the world. Training was compulsory
12.55 Many journalists fitness tested during training

Track 2
00.05 Soon after training they were called up
00.20 Preparing kit
01.10 On 48 hour standby to leave when called
01.15 Remembers the call-up to fly to Kuwait
01.45 Reunited with kit during a sandstorm
02.00 Over 120 journalists based at camp before leaving for individual brigades
02.45 Remembers speaking to Bruce Adams, Daily Mail photographer, who was also embedded with the unit
03.00 Attitude of the unit
03.30 Attitude to the Guardian
03.45 Accompanied by bodyguard and armed soliders for first days to prevent her accessing information
04.30 Complained to liason officers from Media Operations about treatment
05.25 Copy vetted before being sent
05.50 Daily routine at camp
06.10 Shock of troops that she was female. Warned that a journalist would be joining them
06.20 Acceptance by unit
06.50 Began working on human emotion stories. How the troops prepare for war
07.30 Use of Zulu time
08.00 The burning of personal letters by troops. Threat of imprisonment

10.00 Use of laptop. Copy read by media officer and squadron officer. Verbal negotiation over content

Track 3
00.04 Remembers first exercise
01.25 Taste of what life would be like covering the war
01.45 Experience of sleeping whilst in the field
02.10 The weather. Rain and flooding in Kuwait

Track 4
00.15 Reconnaissance role of the unit. Front line observation
01.12 Unit engaged in periods of intense activity
02.30 Journalist kit
03.30 Surveying the landscape. Use of technology such as thermal imaging equipment
03.55 Verifying targets
04.45 Remembers finding abandoned oil field barracks
05.45 Quiet start
06.30 Increase in activity
07.00 Remembers incident of vehicle bracketing
07.30 Use of armoured vehicles
08.00 Reassurance from troops
08.20 Remembers her vehicle breaking down whilst under fire
09.25 Memories of hearing over the radio the friendly fire incident on 28 March 2003 where USAF aircraft attacked a Household Cavalry convoy resulting in the death of Corporal Matty Hull

11.00 Speaking to the unit after the incident. Remembering the noise
12.00 Feelings of vulnerability following incident
12.28 Impact on the Guardian. Concerns over the saftey of staff. Asked to reconsider position
13.48 Remembers accident when a Scimitar light tank vehicle overturned in a ditch, killing two. Witnessed rescue attempt
15.10 Increase in incoming rounds of artillery
16.00 Loss of fellow soldiers
16.50 Expression of fears of others to her
17.20 Move into town. Lack of resistance. Feeling that war had changed
18.05 Relief that the war had slowed down
19.20 Response of locals to armed forces
19.55 Importance of not losing your guard in situations. The need to be careful

20.35 Filtering of news from Baghdad. Gillan heard news from Guardian news desk in London. Use of short wave radio
21.00 Communication difficult. Lower ranks not very well informed
22.10 Vehicle problems encountered
22.50 Censorship of reporting
24.10 Argument with a squadron leader over a report over the treatment of troops
25.40 Tensions in the relationship between the military and the media
26.00 Incident where she was reported. Sent wrong copy when writing a piece for both the Guardian and the Mirror
27.30 How she filed copy when in the field
28.30 Carrying equipment she did not use. Shock at living conditions
29.00 Becoming one of the lads, part of the team
29.50 Wore civilian clothes with body armour and helmet

31.00 Problems of clothes in the climate
31.38 Friendships with soldiers and other journalists
32.10 Attendance at soldiers' funerals
33.00 Speaking with soldiers' wives
34.17 Diaries kept during war coverage
35.12 Dreams since about time in war zone
36.10 Fond memories of relationships with soldiers
37.15 Class background of soldiers
37.50 Leaving the unit

40.00 Travelled via Kuwait. Unable to leave Kuwait for days due to problems with paperwork
42.25 Reflection on war coverage. Unique access to soldiers

Interview with Jamie Wilson, Guardian Home News Reporter. Conducted by Leslie Plommer on 27 May 2003. This interview is part of a series of interviews with Guardian staff who covered the Iraq War of March-April 2003. Also includes a data sheet containing biographical details about the subject and information about the recording, as well as a selection of Guardian newspaper articles published by Jamie Wilson covering the Iraq War.

Summary contents of interview (with rough timings):

Disc 1:
Track 1
00.15 Introductions
00.20 Jamie Wilson was embedded with the British Navy at the start of the Iraq War
00.28 Being told by the Guardian foreign editor that he would be entered into the pool to be sent to Iraq
01.25 Initially told he would be embedded on a supply ship. As some of the newspapers pulled out, he was transferred to a war ship, HMS Marlborough
02.15 Chemical and nuclear warfare training with the Ministry of Defence at Winterbourne Gunner, Wiltshere
03.00 Further training at RAF Uxbridge
03.15 Hostile environment course which recreated a kidnap situation. Trauma first aid training
04.30 Response of family. Excitement of father
05.20 Ministry of Defence kit list
06.14 The call up
07.20 Met other journalists at the airport and at the hotel. Remembers awful dinner in Bahrain upon arrival
08.00 Remembers lecture with Ministry of Defence staff. Talked through different types of ships
09.10 Panic about using equipment the night before leaving
09.45 Chaos of travel

10.15 On board naval repair ship Royal Fleet Auxilliary [RFA] Diligence
10.43 Interview with Admiral David Snelson, who led maritime operations for the invasion of Iraq
11.30 Spending time on ship
11.50 Socialising with officers
12.00 Arrival with the fleet
12.50 Time spent on aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal
13.20 Joined HMS Marlborough

Track 2
00.05 Week spent on HMS Marlborough before bombardment began
01.05 Only journalist on the HMS Marlborough
02.00 Met by public relations officer on board. Feeling that he was getting in the way on board
02.39 Access on board
02.50 Possibility of censorship
03.44 His first piece on preparations for war
03.50 Discusses role and personality of Commander Mark Anderson
05.00 Feeling amongst crew that they had been at sea for a long time, due to lack of safe space
07.00 Discussion of air cover. Ship provided naval artillery support for marines going to shore
07.50 'Blue on blue' - friendly fire considered to be the biggest danger to coalition forces. The need to be sure of threats before firing stressed
08.45 Sat in on military briefings
09.05 Shadowed for initial days
09.30 Biggest problem faced by Wilson on board was filing copy. Satellite navigation phone and mobile phone taken away while on board
09.48 Only able to file copy via the ships communication system. Lack of real time email

11.58 Speaking to crew as they prepared for war
12.10 Not allowed to file report on the takeover of two oil terminals. Fears over the mentioning of oil terminals
14.30 As an embedded journalist you agree to the rules of the military
14.55 Telephone conversations listened to
15.09 Fears over giving away secrets. Could put peoples lives at risk
16.30 Did not contact family once told about invasion. Fears that any leak would lead to suspicion on him
17.35 Ship bound reporters most restricted in terms of communication and movement
18.30 HMS Marlborough's role in the invasion of Iraq. Use of rivers
19.28 Feeling of being an observer. Did not feel that he was in danger as he was detached from action

20.05 Ship briefings likened to Guardian daily conference
20.55 Issue of mines
22.03 His idea of mines based on Second World War films
22.45 Biggest threat to ships were mines
23.05 Given 48 hour notice that action would begin
23.25 Wearing a flame proof suit, an effect of injuries encountered during Falklands War
24.10 Contents of battle bag
24.20 Difficulty writing with protective gloves and hood
24.45 System of shut down during attack
25.00 Threat of gas attack. Danger of gas floating from land
25.30 Use of anti-nerve agent tablets. Chose not to take these himself

Track 3
00.05 Lead up to bombardment
00.32 Sleeping in the electronic warfare office on board
01.45 Woken to be told the bombardment was starting
02.10 Initial action
03.30 Use of code words
04.30 Changes to game plan
05.30 Unable to file during this period. Levels of silence within the fleet
06.55 Orders received that invasion was to start that night
08.10 Invasion started
09.05 Memories of initial actions taken
09.30 Fire missions allocated

10.10 Upset on board that HMS Chatham was first naval ship to fire as part of Operation Telic
11.45 The white flag of surrender
12.40 Filing copy for the Guardian. Not allowed to quote crew or captain, but provide a report of what he saw and heard
13.27 Found that the email system was down
13.52 Crew keen for report to be in paper. Wanted family to be able to read about their war
14.10 Attempts to file copy via others
14.55 Use of fax machine
15.30 Dictated copy to Guardian over phone. Cost of calling
16.40 Took eight hours to file copy with newspaper
17.10 Planning his departure from the ship following end of action
18.00 Technical changes to copy made by captain
18.35 Division of labour on ship
19.47 Role of captain. In charge of operations room

20.35 Fears of suicide boats and the dropping of mines. Fleeing boats searched
21.20 Royal marines based on ships
22.10 Became friendly with crew. Honesty of crew
23.45 Relations may have been more diffifuclt with crew if anything had gone wrong in action
24.25 Consulted more with officers. Spent time with junior rankings to assess mood of ship

Track 4
00.09 Returning to the Gulf. Role of HMS Marlborough finished
00.30 Leaving the ship. Wanted to watch aid being delivered
01.30 Transferred to Her Majesty's Australian Ship [HMAS] Kanimbla, a ship orchestrating mine clearance off Umm Qasr, Iraq. Officially on loan to ship, but did not return
02.50 Australian journalists on HMAS Kanimbla
04.00 Arriving at a compound housing US, British and Australian troops awaiting arrival of RFA Sir Galahad
05.00 Journalists from Kuwait City upset over attendance of non-embedded journalists
05.50 The Guardian called him back to London. Fears over protection of journalists

Track 5
00.05 Return of satellite phone
00.40 Return to normal life
01.10 Regret over return. Felt he had been made to give up a good position

Interview with Sean Smith, Guardian photographer. Conducted by Leslie Plommer on 29 May 2003. This interview is part of a series of interviews with Guardian staff who covered the Iraq War of March-April 2003. Also includes a data sheet containing biographical details about the subject and information about the recording.

Summary contents of interview (with rough timings):

Disc 1:
Track 1
00.09 Introductions
00.18 Guardian staff photographer based in Baghdad, Iraq, before and during the Iraq conflict of 2003
00.30 Based in Baghdad apart from visit to Basra
00.50 Being told he would be sent to Iraq
01.50 Had said to the Guardian that he wanted to go. Likelihood of war discussed
02.30 Issue of visas
03.20 Problems faced due to large number of journalists trying to go to Iraq
04.50 The Baghdad team consisted of Smith and Suzanne Goldenberg, a US correspondent based in Washington DC
06.40 First priority was to enter Iraq before the outbreak of the conflict, as this would make it easier to return later
07.20 'Charm offensive'. Carrying Guardian branded material as gifts
08.30 Previous experience of travelling. The importance of exchanging gifts

10.00 Making friendships with officials
10.30 Keeping their guide, Sa'ad Al-Samara, and Hayder, the driver, happy
13.00 Role of the guide
13.50 Problems of translations. Elements of comedy
15.15 Travelled with Goldenberg from London via Jordan. Receiving satellite phones
15.45 Arrival at Ministry of Information
16.15 Registration. Receiving press card
16.50 Working outside with no electricity. Problem of batteries running out on satellite phones. Restrictions on use
18.10 Memories of the areas of Baghdad
19.10 Remembers seeing books in Baghdad

20.25 Western magazines
20.50 Strangeness of society. Many doctors but a shortage of nurses and ageing hospital equipment
21.40 Football matches
22.30 Effect of sanctions on shops
23.00 Memories of Iran-Iraq conflict
23.50 Found the asylums reflective of the rest of society - due to shortages and corruption
27.00 Imploding of Iraqi society
29.00 Viewing photographs taken in Baghdad in 2003. Going to the races

30.00 Attending the Baghdad races. Race fixing
33.00 Attempts to make society more religious. Attempts to unify the country. Drinking alcohol banned in restaurants
34.50 People's response to Smith and Goldenberg
36.18 Discusses his photograph of parades
37.40 Presence of military figures on parade

40.00 The corrupt not interested in fighting conflict
41.05 Lack of organised or disciplined military
41.35 Distrust of phones
42.00 Propaganda from both sides. Manipulation of news
42.50 Taking photographs of smiling soldiers
43.40 Photographs of women and children with guns on parade
45.00 Damage to area from the 1980s still visible. Reminder of the cost of war
46.30 Discussion of his photograph of Shiite pilgrims in Karbala. Visiting shrines

50.10 Desire to show through photographs how much more was going on. Photographing family scenes
51.00 Lack of religious friction encountered
52.00 Desire for change
54.20 Continued fall out from the Soviet era
54.54 Discussion of his photograph of United Nations weapons inspectors visiting West Baghdad
57.00 Discussion of risks of chemical warfare and use of precautions
58.30 Limited use of flak jackets
59.45 Developing prints whilst in Baghdad. Fears of the use of an e-bomb which could cause electrical power outages

62.00 Problems of use of digital cameras whilst in the field. Extensive use of memory cards
62.55 Reaction of guide to photography
64.40 Lack of tradition of using pictures in Arab reporting
65.25 Guides and officials under strain. Their own fears about what was going to happen
66.30 Local obsession with health
68.32 Discussion of photograph of soldiers beside the tomb of the unknown martyr in Baghdad. Importance of monument marking the 1980s Iran-Iraq conflict
69.40 Attitude of Baghdad soldiers

70.15 His attempts to paint a different picture of the regime. Found in reality frayed uniforms and giggling solders
71.10 Discussion of his photographs taken inside the Ibn Rushd psychiatric hospital in Baghdad
73.30 Return to use of electric shock therapy due to lack of drugs available

Disc 2:
Track 1
00.10 Continued discussion of use of electric shock therapy at Ibn Rushd hospital
02.00 Pictures of Saddam Hussein throughout institutions
03.30 Discussion of his photographs of hospital patients including those being treated with electric shock treatment
04.45 Discussion of his photographs of Dr Huda Salih Mahdi Ammash, a female Iraqi scientist, nicknamed 'Chemical Sally'
08.00 On the eve of war. Ongoing concerns over visas

12.50 Once the war started there were concerns about leaving the country
13.20 Little preparation by Iraq for war
15.20 Discussion of his photographs of air strikes on Baghdad. Use of hotels
17.40 Memories of first air strikes. Attack on foreign ministry and computer centre
18.35 Changes to timings of air strikes. Move from night to daytime strikes
19.10 Death of civilians through air strikes
19.30 Press bus tours. Growing paranoia about press movement. Threats made by officials to guides and drivers

21.00 Concern over movement of money
22.30 Time spent in hotels during bombing. Use of satellite phones restricted. Continued threat of the e-bomb
24.15 Satellite phones, cameras and film seized
25.20 His relationship with others. Understood the importance of treatment of others
26.20 Use of satellite phones in hotel room. Fear of seizure of equipment

30.15 Dislike of journalists and fears of conspiracy
31.00 Taking photographs at night
33.01 Discussion of his photograph of bomb damage in a residential neighbourhood. Fears over effect of photographs on Iraqi morale
34.50 Access to food and amenities
35.48 Problem of access to fuel. Storing petrol in a warzone
37.10 Keeping the atmosphere friendly
38.00 Carrying money. Cost of press coverage

40.30 Discussion of his photographs of towns. Remembers the keeping of rabbits
41.55 Excitement at shot down airplane
43.20 Discussion of his photograph of Tariq Aziz, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister, following reports that he had been executed
45.00 Attendance at ministry briefings
45.30 Discussion of his photographs taken when air strikes hit a civilian suburban area. One of the first civilian injuries
46.30 Movement of information
47.20 Discussion of his photographs of market place bombing. Image of young child on stretcher being transferred to a civilian hospital
48.10 Reluctance of officials to allow them access to hospital
48.45 Flood of injured on hospital
49.15 Photographing the injured and the funerals of those killed in the market place bombing

50.30 Photographs of those mourning the victims of the market place bombing. Reaction to presence of press
52.30 Frustration on trying to access areas. Unable to work freely
53.50 Remembers seeing low range missiles whilst driving
55.00 Discussion of his photographs of Iraqi streetlife including image of father with child in mock military uniform
56.00 Continuation of life during wartime
57.30 Discussion of his photographs of a family in home made bomb shelter
59.20 Bombing areas

61.10 Restrictions on press movement
61.40 Discussion of photograph of young injured boy in hospital
63.00 Remembers injuries seen
63.20 Press access to hospitals
64.00 Military sensitivity over the photographing of injured soldiers
64.40 Looting of hospitals
65.40 'Casual randomness' of violence of war
68.47 Discussion of his photographs showing a burnt out American tank on the outskirts of Baghdad
72.03 Discussion of his photograph of an Iraqi in hospital with burn injuries
73.30 Discussion of his photograph of a brother and sister at hospital, who were dead on arrival

Disc 3:
Track 1
00.10 Continued discussion of his photographs taken at Al-Kindi hospital, Baghdad. Breakdown of military command
01.35 How their movement was affected as the conflict progressed
03.05 The Palestine hotel hit by tank fire
04.45 Uncertainty of war
06.00 Discussion of his photograph of a dead Iraqi in a car
07.00 Continuation of daily life during war
07.48 Discussion of a set of his photographs of the toppling of a statue of Hussein

11.15 Distortion of history easy
12.20 Arrival of tanks
13.43 Looting
14.40 The burying of bodies by American soldiers
15.45 Access to the presidential compound once sezied by the Americans
16.49 Discussion of his photographs taken at Al-Yarmouk hospital, Baghdad including the burial of patients and a photograph of an injured young boy. No doctors still in attendance at hospital. Escorted injured boy to another still functioning hospital

20.55 Discussion of his photograph taken at Al-Escan hospital, Baghdad, where patients were transferred to
23.00 Saddam Hussein as seen in portraits. Idolised images of leader
24.20 Discussion of his photographs of militia road blocks
27.40 Discussion of his photograph showing palace lootings
29.00 People of Tecrete, Iraq, the assumed hometown of Hussein

30.00 Extravagance of Iraqi palaces
32.45 Incident of man having his ear burnt by hair curling tongs
33.40 Implosion of society
33.50 Discussion of his photograph of a looter who was beaten to death
36.00 Discussion of his photograph of an unexploded ordnance. Injuries caused
38.20 Discussion of his photograph of an abandoned mental hospital with prison wing
39.40 Attempts of locals and Red Cross to maintain the hospital, the only long-term mental hospital in Iraq

43.25 Thoughts at end of trip
44.50 Leaving Iraq. Guardian wanted to remove journalists. His desire for stay for longer to produce feature on adult mental patients
45.50 Joined Sunday Times journalists who were leaving
46.10 Injured his knee whilst visiting secret prison
47.40 Drove to Oman through desert onto Jordan
48.10 Fears over taking possibly looted treasures outside of Iraq
48.48 Flying back to England
49.00 How this conflict compared to other war coverage Smith had undertaken previously. More difficult working in Iraq

50.00 'Paralysis of bureaucracy' made his work difficult
54.00 Feeling of being an end of an era
56.00 'Ghosts' of Vietnam
57.00 Revised history of region
58.20 Lessons to be learnt by the Guardian for future war coverage. Use of features rather than just rolling news of events

61.30 Poor communication between editorial staff at home and journalists in the field
64.00 Restrictions on use of phones
67.00 Frustrations faced during war coverage

Interview with Michael Walter, a freelance photographer who was on contract to cover the Iraq War in Kurdistan for the Guardian. Conducted by Leslie Plommer on 29 May 2003. This interview is part of a series of interviews with Guardian staff who covered the Iraq War of March-April 2003. Also includes a data sheet containing biographical details about the subject and information about the recording including photocopies of photographs discussed in the recording.

Summary contents of interview (with rough timings):

Disc 1:
Track 1
00.08 Introductions
00.50 When he heard he would be going to Iraq. Contact with Bridget Coaker from the Guardian
01.50 A number of photographers did not want to go
02.20 Seemed like a good opportunity. More news-led than previous work
02.55 How to access Iraq
03.00 Training courses before despatch
03.25 Biological and radiation training
03.54 Based in Northern Iraq. Did not wish to be embedded with military due to restrictions on movement
05.00 Negotiations over visa
05.20 Time spent in Tehran, Iran
06.00 Arrived in Iraq the night before the war started
06.30 Problems faced when attempting to secure his working visa. Press attache upset over image featured in Weekend magazine
08.10 Problems with the Guardian foreign and picture desks
09.40 Waiting in Tehran for permission to cross border

10.30 Remembers his fixer in Iran
11.25 Remembers his crossing into Iraq. Flew into the country
12.30 Other journalists encountered
12.59 Waiting on the border
13.23 Being searched upon entry into Iraq
14.30 Finding hotel rooms
16.30 Remembers hearing from Luke Harding that the war had started
17.00 Driving to Chamchamal with plans to stay there
18.20 Mood encountered in Kurdistan, northern Iraq
19.28 Heightening tensions in the Kurdistan area
19.45 Car bomb attack targeted at journalists

20.10 Remembers seeing aftermath of car bomb attack. Decision to start wearing armour
21.20 Shortage of armour. Debate on who should wear armour. Recalls previous experiences in Bosnia
22.15 Remembers their driver and translator
23.18 Visiting a military hospital
23.45 Death of an Australian journalist. Reassuring his family
24.15 Rising tensions. Targeting Western journalists
25.00 Describes death of Channel 4 journalist Gaby Rado
26.55 Increase in tension
27.15 Areas closed off from journalists
29.00 Tensions dying down. Retreat into the mountains
29.28 Interview with an Iraqi defector who had been asked to volunteer as a suicide bomber

31.50 Discussion of photograph of Biaria, a liberated area
33.00 His expectations of Kurdistan before visiting the area
33.45 Access to alcohol
34.30 Reputation of Kurdish fighters. The reality he encountered
35.00 Landmines
37.30 Politics within Kurdistan
38.00 Occupation of Kurdish areas

40.00 Withdrawal from areas
40.30 Discussion of his photograph of a Kurdish women
41.48 Discussion of his photograph of a mural to a former Kurdish leader
42.45 Taking photographs of Kurdish daily life
44.00 Did not encounter opposition when photographing women
45.38 Bustle of the markets
48.00 Asked whether he was frightened. Boredom faced. Waiting for something to happen
48.54 Discussion of his photographs of morning prayers and a wedding party
49.55 Discussion of his photograph of defaced image of Saddam Hussein

50.48 Watching the fall of Baghdad and imitations. Statue in Kurdish area attacked
52.45 Scale of looting in Kirkuk, Iraq. Photograph of looting mattresses
54.55 Looting of schools
55.55 The fall of Kirkuk
56.24 Scramble to enter Kirkuk after it fell
57.20 Excitement after the fall of Kirkuk - 'festival' feeling
58.00 Discussion of photograph of a hotel looting
58.50 Change in mood in Mosul later in the day. Protests against the looting

60.00 Anticipated trouble in Mosul as excitement got out of hand
60.40 Anarchy. Lack of resources to maintain control

Track 2
00.00 Experience of working for the Guardian
01.15 Lack of opportunities for him in Northern Iraq as action was taking place in the south
02.00 Decisions by newspaper to print photographs. Lack of loyalty to photographers
03.00 Working as a freelance versus contract photographer
04.30 Tied to a journalist. Lost shooting time
05.30 Whether he would undertake similar contract again

Interview with Brian Whitaker, Guardian Middle East editor. Conducted by Leslie Plommer on 2 June 2003. This interview is part of a series of interviews with Guardian staff who covered the Iraq War of March-April 2003. Also includes a data sheet containing biographical details about the subject and information about the recording.

Summary contents of interview (with rough timings):

Disc 1:
Track 1
00.00 Introductions
00.30 Role in war coverage. How this compared to his usual role
01.00 Sent to Egypt. Intended use as a base for travel in the Middle East
01.30 Issue of visas. Easier to negotiate in London
02.20 Based in London during war coverage
03.35 Information gained from Arab newspapers
04.00 His role during the war. Easier to gain a broad picture from a distance
05.30 Importance of having staff based at a distance. Different viewpoints
05.56 Arab television news coverage. Ghost writing a piece on behalf of photographer Sean Smith
06.50 Popularity of daily diary piece on newspaper website
08.00 Need for a voice to question news reports
08.30 Diary became everyday piece due to popular demand
09.10 Daily war conference
09.45 Happy with diary pieces

10.00 Examples of diary pieces
10.25 Doubts over report concerning attack on market place in Baghdad
11.50 The fall of Basra. Sceptical of reports
12.12 Report on tanks leaving Basra. Story turned out to be false
12.50 Use of language – ‘It is reported that’
13.45 Misinterpretation of scale of reports
14.00 Doubts over destruction of statue during fall of Baghdad
16.00 Fall of statue an interesting moment in war coverage. Symbolic of Iraqi-American relationship. Statue representing the
development of the war

Track 2
00.00 Continued discussion of the fall of statue in Baghdad
00.30 Use of American flag
01.00 Appearance of an Iraqi flag. Use of old Iraqi flag
02.00 Number of complaints over use of images of American flag
03.00 Issue of triumphalism in war. Compares to use of American flag in Iwo Jima coverage
04.00 British attitudes to British use of flag versus American attitudes
04.48 American anger expressed towards newspaper coverage
05.25 Praise from Americans for Guardian war coverage. Issues of press freedom
06.30 Compares war coverage to press during the Falklands War
07.30 Daily Mirror war coverage
08.20 Differences between print media and television coverage
09.00 British attitudes towards the Iraq War

10.00 Lack of coverage in Arab world
10.25 How Arab television including Al Jazeera covered the war
11.40 Use of emotive images

Track 3
0.30 Writing a profile of Tariq Aziz, Iraqi deputy prime minister
02.49 Writing pieces on controversies including story on politician George Galloway
04.20 Preparation for writing articles
05.00 Discusses Mr Chalabi, a British based Arab businessman
09.00 Those making mischief through reporting

10.20 Role of London-based Arab press
12.20 Mood of Arabs in London. Kuwaiti support for war
14.50 Pamphlets attacking British policy. Asian Muslims in Britain

Track 4
00.00 Discussion of Syria. Movement of Iraqis into the country. Need for a correspondent in Damascus
00.55 Views of Syrians
01.00 His visit to Syria
02.30 Large hotel booked by Baghdad. Protecting Iraqi refugees
03.00 What he found in Syria
04.00 Syria represented only escape route for Iraqis. Problems of escaping elsewhere, for example Turkey or Iran
05.20 American perceptions of Iran and Syria
07.30 Layout of Syrian hotel
08.00 Memories of Syria
09.00 Bicycles in Syria

Track 5
00.10 Continued discussion of luxury hotel in Syria
01.45 Bad experience with taxi driver. Told there were no return buses to Damascus. Experience of being stopped by police whilst on bus
03.30 Provided recount of experience to the Guardian
04.15 Experiencing paranoia. Tensions in Syria
05.30 Discussion of Saddam Hussein and his whereabouts

Interview with Julian Borger, Guardian Washington correspondent. Conducted by Leslie Plommer on 2 June 2003. This interview is part of a series of interviews with Guardian staff who covered the Iraq War of March-April 2003. Also includes a data sheet containing biographical details about the subject and information about the recording.

Summary contents of interview (with rough timings):

Disc 1:
Track 1
00.09 Introductions. Covered Iraq War from America
00.35 Disbelief in Britain that war would take place. Different view in America
01.25 Inevitability of conflict
01.50 British support for America. Endorsement of Tony Blair
02.35 Different styles of George W Bush and Tony Blair. Legacy of Second World War
03.20 Recovery of special relationship following Vietnam War – ‘the wrong war’
03.50 British support of Iraq War essential in shaping American attitudes
04.00 Being a British reporter in Washington
04.50 Colin Powell as a spokesperson corresponding with the foreign press
05.05 Whitehouse and Pentagon officials unlikely to talk to the Guardian
06.00 American views of the Guardian
06.20 The run up to the war
06.55 Coverage of the war once it started
07.05 Guardian given access to Pentagon. Difficulty to access independent reports
07.55 Differences between American and British military spokespersons
08.15 Typical day of war coverage. Monitoring news outlets. Spending time in the Pentagon
09.55 Lack of negative reports to come from the Pentagon

10.15 Remembers army briefings. Upset of army general over army set up
11.45 Questions over the future of the US military
12.00 Guarding of information
12.28 More information available on the ground
12.50 Unable to make phone calls from the Pentagon. Logistical difficulties faced
14.50 Discussion of Donald Rumsfeld sessions, briefings from the US defence secretary
16.00 Bemusement at presence of British journalist
16.30 Development of coverage. How he saw Washington’s role in Guardian coverage
17.25 ‘Night duty’ of Washington coverage. Differences in time zones
18.18 Being a British man in Washington at that time. Private dismay seen against build up to war. Did not come across to US audiences
19.52 Socialising difficult due to hours of the Pentagon

20.35 Time spent with American journalists. Many became 'Pentagon loyalists'. Journalists reflecting the institution they serve in
22.00 Being ‘embedded’ in Washington

Track 2
00.10 Lessons to be learnt from his coverage
00.47 Need for someone to be permanently embedded in the Pentagon
01.19 Need for a journalist on the ground. To be embedded with American military
02.10 Interest in the daily life of the American military
03.00 Discussion of Audrey Gillan’s coverage of everyday life of the British military
03.20 The military speaking uncensored. Gives different view of war
Creator: Borger, Julian; journalist

Interview with James Meek, Guardian reporter. Conducted by Leslie Plommer on 4 June 2003. This interview is part of a series of interviews with Guardian staff who covered the Iraq War of March-April 2003. Also includes a data sheet containing biographical details about the subject and information about the recording.

Summary contents of interview (with rough timings):

Disc 1:
Track 1
00.07 Introductions
00.17 Joined troops coming up from Kuwait into Southern Iraq onto Baghdad
00.30 How he heard he would be going to Iraq. Approached by foreign editor Ed Pilkington who was putting together a team
01.30 Asked where he would prefer to be based. Given choice between Jordan and Kuwait
02.20 Had experience of crossing borders in this region from coverage of the 1991 Gulf War for the Scotsman newspaper
03.00 Training provided by the Guardian. Doubts over protective measures
05.05 Attended nuclear, biological and chemical warfare training course. Course run by former soldiers
05.45 Requirements of journalists very different to that of the military
07.00 Had received some training for 1991 Gulf War coverage
07.20 Carrying a large amount of equipment. Discusses equipment

10.00 Travelling with photographer Paul Driscoll
11.00 Equipment he left behind
11.36 Arriving in Kuwait before the conflict. Became accredited with the Kuwaiti Ministry of Information
13.00 Return from Kuwait before outbreak of war
13.30 Preparations for the war
14.05 Reported on the mood of Kuwaiti people
14.28 Difficulty getting reports in the newspaper, due to lack of space
15.00 Difficulties dealing with press organisations
15.20 Spent time with US military
16.20 British control over access to British military in the area
17.30 Belief that the British military press officers were image orientated. Lack of access to troops
19.30 Story about colleague being followed whilst using the toilet in a military camp

20.30 Distrust of the Guardian by the military
21.10 Hostility of right wing press to conflict
21.45 Position of the Daily Mail. Contradiction of being for the war, but against Tony Blair
22.35 Renting vehicles
24.09 Concerns over the sealing of police check points. Hostility towards journalists
25.10 Use of military disguises
25.50 Access in Kuwait. Overcoming sand walls
27.25 Left Kuwait City in lead up to conflict. Waiting on the border
28.30 Memories of start of conflict
29.20 Disguising vehicles with mud

30.10 Getting across the border
31.00 Interview with British commander
31.30 Attempts to cross border
32.17 Tip off from another journalist. Gap in a sand wall
33.35 Crossed into no man's land. Concern about mines
33.57 Final border crossing. Arriving in Iraq
34.30 Realisation how different it was to be in Iraq
34.50 Looters
35.00 Interviewed Iraqis. Did not have a translator. Working with the New York Times translator
36.13 Not situation they expected to be in. Uncertain atmosphere. Everyone armed. Lack of authority
37.30 Decision to seek protection of the military
39.00 Became 'parasites' on the US marines. Needed them for security, fuel, food and water

40.07 Advantages of being embedded without the restrictions. Access to troops. Own transport. Ability to move units. Own translators
41.30 Reflections on the US marines. 'Extraordinary' hospitality. Offered them phonecalls in exchange
43.30 Problem of restrictions on light in a warzone
44.30 Driving at night. Recalls near accident
46.15 Paperwork he carried
48.00 Problems of being embedded

50.30 Being careful not to endanger marines
51.30 Marines watching American press more closely
53.00 Fears over use of satellite phones to track location
55.13 Writing about how the marines conducted themselves. Critical of how they conducted operations
56.00 Remembers New York Times staff - Dexter Filkins, writer; James Hill, photographer; Mandi, translator
57.40 Carrying cash
59.38 Cigarettes as currency

60.11 Issue of race
61.30 Importance of having an all volunteer army. Well paid and well trained. Lack of tension between ranks. Contributes to atmosphere
63.45 Remembers meeting French journalists. Tension between marines and French journalist
66.23 Marine units. Combat Services Support Group. Heavily armed
68.00 Advance of units
68.30 Access to front line. Switched regiments. Joined 5th regiment before crossing the river with the 7th regiment. Moved to the 1st regiment

Interview with Suzanne Goldenberg, Guardian foreign correspondent. Conducted by Leslie Plommer on 25 June 2003. This interview is part of a series of interviews with Guardian staff who covered the Iraq War of March-April 2003. Also includes a data sheet containing biographical details about the subject and information about the recording including photocopies of articles by Goldenberg relating to Iraq War coverage which featured in the Guardian.

Summary contents of interview (with rough timings):

Disc 1:
Track 1
00.00 Introductions
00.15 Based in Baghdad throughout the Iraq conflict for the Guardian
00.35 Being invited to cover the war. Based in Washington DC as Washington correspondent for the Guardian
01.20 Belief that it would be a short trip of maybe two weeks on a rotation
01.48 Applying for a visa
02.50 Sent in January 2003 after potential trigger for war
03.10 Did not expect to be based there for three months
03.35 Had worked with Sean Smith previously
03.50 Reaction of her partner, Tony
04.10 Training from the Guardian. Standard war training course. Chemical and biological warfare training
04.40 Decision to not to have vaccines
05.15 Experience as correspondent in Israel

Track 2
00.05 Continued discussion of previous experiences covering conflict in Israel
00.30 Role of Afghanistan in conflict. Had previously won awards for reporting in this conflict
01.18 Flew to Baghdad via Oman
01.35 Discussion of Rory McCarthy, foreign correspondent based in Pakistan who covered Iraq War for the Guardian
02.25 Memories of the airport and flights
03.00 Remembers meeting her and Sean's Iraqi minder, Sa'ad Al-Samara
04.00 Staying at a Baghdad hotel
05.05 Her working day in Iraq
05.50 Mood of the Iraqi people. Continuation of normal life
06.10 Seeking permissions and information from the Iraqi ministries
07.40 Driving in Iraq
07.55 Interviews
08.10 Use of translators
08.35 Use of satellite phones
08.50 Filing copy with the Guardian offices remotely
09.30 Temporary office in Baghdad

10.04 Carrying money in Iraq
11.40 Roles of driver and minder. Relationship to the regime
13.00 Inherited driver and minder from Rory McCarthy
13.30 Remembers guide Sa'ad
14.25 Told by driver Hayder that he was spying on them for the security services
15.10 Tension between Sunni muslim minder and Shiite muslim driver
15.30 Role of visas
16.20 Carrying sweets to give to people
17.00 Handing out dates. Considered to be a symbol of sexual potency in Iraqi culture
17.30 Complimentary roles of Sean and her in gaining permissions
17.55 Taking officials to dinner including the head of press. Guardian goodie bags.
19.30 No exchange of money. Importance of making a good impression

20.18 Discussion of personality of press official. Dinners he held

Track 3
00.25 Access to news developments
00.47 Changes in people's moods
01.50 Incident with restaurant host. Told what to say in interview. Laughter when they met again
02.27 Did not know if Iraqis were telling truth when interviewed
03.00 Male attitudes to war encountered
03.30 Expression of fear by people as conflict developed
03.45 Use of code words. 'Fear of change'
04.25 Seeing value in stability
04.55 Admission that Saddam Hussein would leave leadership - 'the change'
05.30 Images of fear. Increased use
05.50 People stocking up. Use of double rations
06.10 Could see mood change
07.10 Fleeing leadership
08.00 Resistance to invasion
08.20 Bombing in Baghdad. Asked about her own reaction. Saw 'shock and awe'

10.14 Speaking to people who were shaken by bombing
11.20 Her response to being interviewed about the Iraq War coverage
12.45 Discussion of the war with other war correspondents. Disagreeing with others. Importance of where and who you were embedded with

Track 4
00.08 Trips made during war coverage. Visiting Basra and Mosul, as well as day trips to Tikrit and Babylon
00.30 Complications when organising trips. Permission needed to travel
01.00 Writing applications to travel
01.20 Not accompanied on travel by regular minder. Trouble with minder and extortion. Minder told to only work for Guardian by authorities. Minder suspicious of Goldenberg and Smith
02.10 Accompanied by former ships captain who acted as a minder for their trip. Her suspicions over him
02.55 Flew in Basra through no-fly zone
03.00 Paying for seats on flight
03.20 Had to carry letter from governor and be accompanied by additional minder supplied. Joined by another French journalist
04.10 Time in demilitarised state where the United Nations were based where they could see into Kuwait
05.15 Watching local labourers in Basra waiting to be hired
05.50 Eating dinner in Basra with their trip minder
07.30 Learnt to not ask questions which could incriminate people
07.50 Seeing fear in those she interviewed
08.25 Speaking to man at fish market. Story about being beaten for not carrying pass
09.30 Visiting Mosul, a Kurdish city in Northern Iraq

10.30 Seeing rebellion increase in peoples attitudes
12.14 Remembers families she met. Affect of conflict on families
13.05 Inevitability of war. People in state of denial
14.50 Those who stayed, those who couldn't afford to leave
15.25 Contact with Arab press. Shared Palestine hotel suite with female reporter from Lebanese television station
16.35 Difference in approach by Arab press. Did not believe stories about kidnapping
18.30 Arab press passing on information that they themselves could not broadcast
19.40 Arab press and their relation to the regime

20.59 Beginning of bombardment. Change in reporting
21.40 First encountering the American military
22.25 Seeing men fleeing the regime on foot
22.54 Looting on a small scale
23.45 Seeing the looting of guns. First feeling of being scared
24.25 Constraints on movement
24.35 First encountering an American tank
25.50 Offering American troops beer
26.40 Relief that it was over. Reaction of Sean Smith
27.00 Exhaustion
27.30 Arrival of Americans at hotel
27.42 Pulling down of Saddam Hussein statue in Baghdad. Iraqis asked soldiers for permission
29.20 Day of horrific casualties. Doctors overwhelmed. Nurses crying

Disc 2:
Track 1
00.20 Iraq War Guardian debriefing
01.00 Her final piece on the Iraq War, on a farewell to Baghdad. Charting the move to recklessness in Baghdad
01.40 Discussion of the period between the bombardment and the fall of Baghdad
02.30 Control of the bridges and control of the city
04.00 Visiting Saddam Hussein's former palace
04.20 Most gruesome sight encountered. Burnt out cars including bus filled with carbonised corpses on bridge
05.10 Walking to the palace. Bodies lining the palace being buried in grounds
06.10 Return to palace by car. Hearing gunshots
07.00 Looting
07.25 Monument to Iran-Iraq War
07.45 Gaining permission to cross into areas
08.00 Seeing corpses. Carnage on the streets
09.40 Need to bury bodies

10.05 Discussion of American conduct in civilian areas. Response of Iraqis
11.30 Continuation of civilian life in warzone. Access to fresh food
12.15 People arriving from Jordan
13.05 Temporary feeling that she had seen enough
14.00 Affect on her writing. Most personal piece she had written
14.20 Losing capacity to emphathise
14.45 Would not want to exclusively cover conflicts. Yet would return again
15.25 Contributing to people's understanding of conflict. Working in the field
16.05 Like of extreme situations
16.35 Final question. Revival of normal services in Baghdad
17.30 Writing her leaving piece. Too early to judge situation. Need to set opinions aside
18.50 Lack of interest by officials in returning power to Iraqi people
19.30 Restoration of Iraq

20.00 Greater economic hardship for Iraqis than during war
20.35 When to judge success of invasion
20.50 Setting benchmarks to judge success

Interview with Luke Harding, Guardian home and foreign news reporter. Conducted by Leslie Plommer on 27 June 2003. This interview is part of a series of interviews with Guardian staff who covered the Iraq War of March-April 2003. Also includes a data sheet containing biographical details about the subject and information about the recording including photocopies of articles for the Guardian and Observer by Luke Harding relating to Iraq.

Summary contents of interview (with rough timings):

Disc 1:
Track 1
00.12 Introductions
00.30 Luke Harding usually based in Delhi, India
00.45 Finding out that he would be covering the war
00.50 He was keen to go
01.10 Asked whether he would like to go to Kuwait or Northern Iraq. Went to Kurdistan
01.50 Knew he would be there for a long haul
02.00 Difficulty obtaining Iranian visa
02.55 Others bribed the Ministry of Islamic Guidance to obtain visas
03.10 Flew to Iran on 1 February 2003
03.15 Training before leaving. Carrying kit
03.25 Comparison of war coverage between Afghanistan and Iraq
03.45 Biochemical training course
03.55 Kit he carried to Iran
04.15 Time spent in Eastern Iran
04.40 Crossing into Kurdistan
04.50 Transport crossing the borders
05.40 Guardian journalists arrived before other newspapers
06.08 Waiting for the war
06.30 Early interview not used by Guardian, but featured in Observer
07.39 Arrival of further journalists
08.00 Misunderstanding of role of Northern Iraq in conflict
09.00 Fundamentalist groups in Northern Iraq

10.00 Covering the action. Several fronts including the frontline of the Iraqi army
10.50 Role of the Turkish army
11.20 Functioning day to day. Based on Turkish border
11.55 Use of land cruiser vehicle
12.00 Using translators
12.30 Staying in a Kurdistan hotel
13.00 Feeling that things were progressing slowly constrasted with how it was viewed from outside region
13.45 Journalists taking risk. Visiting frontlines. Led to journalist deaths
14.40 Hearing about a bombing that killed Australian photojournalist Paul Moran. The first journalist to be killed in invasion of Iraq
15.20 Discusses death of Channel 4 journalist Gaby Rado
15.50 Death of BBC cameraman, Kaveh Golestan, after stepping on a landmine in Kifri. Harding had been in Kifri earlier
16.55 Danger of reporting from the frontline
17.45 Finding out about the death of Golestan, who had been a veteran of the Iran-Iraq war
18.10 Effect of deaths on him long term. Realisation that people die in wars
18.40 Second war that he had covered. Had encountered death in Afghanistan war
19.05 Feeling that the Iraq war was more dangerous due to involvement of the American military
19.20 Consistent fear of friendly fire

20.05 American bombardment. Indiscriminate about civilians
21.00 Fear of bombs. Shook ground. Driver's refusal to continue
22.00 Story about another Islamic group whose headquaters were bombed. Under-reported story
23.55 Change in pace of war. Retreat of Iraqi forces
25.00 Fall of Baghdad. Knew that nothing in Kurdistan could compare to Baghdad coverage
26.15 March on Kirkuk
27.04 Looting
27.30 Kirkuk previously captured in the Iran-Iraq war
28.05 Change in mood in Kirkuk. Celebration turned to looting
28.25 Visited oil refinery which had not been secured by American forces
28.50 Encountering a British woman, married to an Iraqi and who had been living there for decades, crying at the demise of Saddam Hussein
29.05 Late arrival of the Americans
29.25 Fall of Mosul. 'A beautiful city'
29.55 Travelling with Richard Pendlebury to Mosul

30.15 Encountering looters at a Mosul hotel
31.20 Feeling that the Americans were not in control. 'Ugly mood' in Mosul
31.45 Looting of museum and archives
32.30 'City tearing itself apart'
32.50 Travelling to Tikrit, still to fall
33.55 Tension in Tikrit
34.35 Return to Tikrit. Arrival of American military
36.00 Driving in no man's land
36.20 Seeing the Americans for the first time. Emotional feeling that the war was over
36.50 Touring Hussein's palaces in Tikrit
37.35 Filing stories during war
38.00 Return to Tikrit after its fall. Change in mood. Firefight between Kurdish leaders and Arabs
39.27 Second firefight encountered. Retreat
39.50 Driver unhappy

40.55 Presence of angry young Arab men. Refusal to allow them to pass
42.30 Considered this to be his worst moment in the war. Belief that the risk was not worth it
44.20 Weather in Iraq
44.35 Picnics
44.55 Access to alcohol in Kurdistan
45.38 Treatment of Iraqi army by Kurds
46.00 History of relations between Iraq and Kurdistan
47.20 Understanding of Kurds that Iraqi soldiers were also victims of Saddam Hussein. Conscription of Iraqi soldiers
48.10 Asking to return home after two and a half months in Iraq
48.30 Driving to Baghdad a week after the fall of Iraq. Carnage of the city. Americans entrenched in Baghdad
49.35 Experiences of journalists in Baghdad. Arrival of journalists from Kuwait

50.00 Likens Baghdad to Saigon in 1973 during the Vietnam War
51.03 Glad to leave at this point
51.15 Speaking to Suzanne Goldernberg who did not want to leave
51.55 Leaving Iraq
52.10 Had not eaten properly for days. Appearance of himself and Michael Walter
52.55 Food and drink when leaving
53.25 Foreign correspondents meeting in the Palestine hotel. Discusses James Meek and others
54.15 Debate between the foreign correspondents about the war
54.55 Constrasting views of foreign correspondents
56.00 His own views of the war and the previous regime
58.10 Complexity of the Iraq war

Collection contains a daily account of his work as a Guardian foreign reporter during the 2003 Iraq War.

Administrative/Biographical history: Foreign correspondent for the Guardian, from 1990 until 2005.

Educated at Edinburgh University. Whilst studying he had his first short story published in the New Edinburgh Review. Became a reporter on the Northampton Chronicle & Echo in 1985 after graduating from City University's journalism school in London. Joined The Scotsman newspaper as a reporter three years later. His first novel was published in 1989.

Joined the Guardian as a freelance journalist writing from Ukraine in November 1990. Between 1991 and 1999 he reported for the Guardian from the former USSR. Between 1999 and 2005 he held successive roles at including religious affairs editor, science correspondent, features writer and foreign correspondent from 2001 until 2005.

Guardian reporter in Kuwait and Iraq during the 2003 Iraq War. Awarded foreign reporter of the year in 2004 at the British Press Awards for his reporting from Iraq and about Guatanamo Bay.

Left the Guardian in May 2006 to write fiction full time. He is the author of two collections of short stories and four novels. Contributing editor for the London Review of Books.