-U.S. Military Families in Iraq Surprised by REAL situation

Relatives of U.S. military personnel stationed in Iraq are currently in
Baghdad. They are meeting with members of the Governing Council and
ordinary Iraqis, as well as with U.S. soldiers including their loved ones
stationed in Iraq.

Today they expressed surprise at the dire conditions of schools and
hospitals that they have visited. They also report that many Iraqis they
encounter want direct elections.

In the United States, media can contact: Andrea Buffa
[andrea@globalexchange.org] and Victoria Cunningham
[victoria@codepinkalert.org]. They are in touch with members of the
delegation and can arrange interviews upon their return to the U.S. after
December 8.

Family members of U.S. military personnel currently in Iraq include:

* MICHAEL McPHEARSON, http://www.occupationwatch.org
McPhearson, who has a son in the military, said: “Both George Bush and
Hillary Clinton have a hidden agenda. They are both using their trips to
Iraq to better position their political parties in the upcoming elections.
The only agenda of our delegation is to uncover the truth.”

* FERNANDO SUAREZ DEL SOLAR,
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1202-09.htm
Fernando Suarez del Solar, whose son Jesus was a Marine who died in combat
in Iraq, said: “Our mission is not photo ops. Our mission is talking to
ordinary Iraqis and U.S. troops, figuring out why things have gone so
terribly wrong and what we can do to stop the violence and bring the troops
home.” He is also bringing thousands of letters of peace from children in
the United States to children in Iraq, as well as medical supplies for
hospitals.

* ANABELLE VALENCIA, http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1129-06.htm
Valencia, a military mother and school teacher traveling with the
delegation, said: “I want to see my son and daughter and talk to the other
troops. I want to talk to the Iraqi people, especially the women. And I
want to talk to the U.S. authorities and ask them when they are going to
send our troops home and allow the Iraqis to run their own country.”

* MIKE LOPERCIO,
http://www.napanews.com/templates/index.cfm?template=story_full&id=719D8775-D0FC-4DAB-BF4B-F93D1773A601
A businessman from Tempe, Arizona, whose son is stationed in Iraq, Lopercio
said: “I want to ask Iraqis how they feel about our presence and if they
understand and agree with our objectives. I want to find out if the current
attacks on our troops are acts of a small minority or supported by most of
the population.”

For more information, contact at the Institute for Public Accuracy:
Sam Husseini, (202) 347-0020; or David Zupan, (541) 484-9167