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Journalism of Courage
Hundreds of Iraqi police and other civil servants responded to US calls broadcast by radio to meet in central Baghdad on Sunday as part of efforts to resume order and key services to the capital’s residents.
Looters have smashed up public buildings, shops and factories since the collapse of the Iraqi government in Baghdad on Wednesday. Fearing they would be mistaken for combatants, Iraqi police had left their patrols.
‘‘Officers over here, and other police over there,’’ shouted one senior officer as he tried to organise those who had heeded calls by US-led forces via radio to meet at the Al-Wiyah club in the centre of the city to receive instructions.
They joined health workers, electricity and water ministry employees and others to register for work, in cooperation with the US troops now controlling Baghdad, where most people have been without water and electricity for many days. The gathering even caused a small traffic jam.
‘‘Listen to the radio. Don’t try to watch the TV, it’s not working,’’ an Iraqi official told the civil servants who wanted more information about what to do.
