Posted By Richard Spencer Has anyone yet experienced working as a safety professional in reconstructing Iraq? What are some of the issues that might need to be considered prior to signing a contract? Richard

Posted By Richard Spencer Yes, that’d be right. Any other useful information apart of longevity. What are contractors doing in respect of security, for instance?

Posted By shaun allport Nicely said Richard.... to sum it up.....His health!

Posted By Kelvin Hughes Richard After reading your response to a previous posting, I had the impression you were happy in Australia. Why would anyone want to leave such an Idyllic location for a high-risk (may not come home in one piece) job? Or is this question being asked for another person? Regards Kelvin

Posted By Stuart Nagle I know of about 20 vacancies going right now in Iraq. Salaries vary, but hit the 40K to 60K mark (per annum - no tax). a serious incentive for many. lets face it 1 or 2 years and the mortgage could be paid off!! sooner perhaps if your life insurance coughs up... Most positions are in the Oil/Gas industry, but some are construction related. Most accommodation is actually in camps outside the main population areas (towns to you and me) usually a mile or few away from the main workplace. Security on the camps is as good as it can be!! Armed guards, fences, all facilities on-site - but who's going to the beach in the evenings for a bar-b-q these days? Insurance could be problematic, but most good employers are likely to arrange insurance for employees through corporate risk management companies (I should think?) as there is little hope of getting life insurance from tesco on this location mate, right... Self-protection should be limited to body armour (a good set will set back several hundred pounds)and a good kevlar hard hat - sidearms are NOT recommended unless your name is Gungho Pratt, in which case your first pay cheque will most likely to be paying for your remains to be shipped home!! Travel and sightseeing are a little limited, as you may have guessed, but I am told that there is a new english newspaper just started up, so your frends can post and read the abituaries... By comparrison, Nigeria after dark sounds a much safer and less stressful bet...although risk surveying on minefields in Bosnia or safety and security work in mid Columbia is always an alternative. Good luck... Stuart

Posted By Vincent Fagan That is a good question Richard and there is no easy answer. Some might say one should get involved, or give support by proxy, when they believe the reasons for being there are acceptable and just to the majority of global residents (not the same as a certain US presidents version of justice, righteousness etc)., and if and when they believe that it really is for the good of the people and not just to create profits for some 'independent'(?) firms. Having said that, I think for the right reasons one should do all that they can to improve things there, and personal situations allowing, and adequate levels of sanity in decision making, we shouldnt let the actions of a minority dictate our actions. ...Easier said than done. Good luck with whatever you decide to do, and be very aware if you go.

Posted By Stuart Nagle Yes, all very romantic is it not, foreign country, sun, sand, hazy mornings and the sound of the faithfull being called the prayers, the excitement and intrepidation of the unknown, the mystic middle east, a 'War Zone' too, wow!!....let me at it.... Unfortunately this often the response of those who not been, done, seen, and been educated to the realities of such situations. It is not romantic, it is not exciting - it IS a 'war zone' and people, yes, just like you - get killed - sometimes in the most extream manner every day, often for just having a face that does not fit, or being in the right place/wrong place at wrong time, defenceless and at the mercy (huh, what a phrase!!) of a mob who's one sole intention has become to KILL YOU... It is a difficult situation. and forgive me if I appear rather heated here, at the apparent rose tinted outlook of some, but if you think this is a rather jolly idea, I hope you do go - and survive - it will change your outlook on life forever. I'm not saying of course that we should not assist and consider offering to rebuild Iraq, after all we did have a considerable hand in laying a lot of it to waste. But you should know what you are getting into, the realities of the situation, and that it is definitely not a picnic in the park. Those who have seen TV coverage and media reports will have seen what can happen, often very quickly - without warning, where even trained soldiers get into positions, usually through no fault of their own, where they are not in a position to be able to defend themselves - even if armed... The position is a difficult one to gauge if you have little or no experience of these countries. Without wishing to appear racist - as I am not, the mentality, perspectives and ideology of the indigenous people, who have had a difficult time in the past, but who will, often, shun help if offered by others who are not of arabic persuasion, is not easy to understand and leaves the western sense of what is right and what is wrong etc in disarray, not being able to truly understand or comprehend why this or why that etc should be so. The nature of things is difficult to define unless you have had close contact, and by this I do not mean holidays in the middle east, knowing someone whos told you al about it, or a nieghbour that is etc... as this simply does not give one a real insight into the arab world... If you are contemplating going, ensure that you: 1) Have several methods of contacting home in the event that you need to do so. Sat comms are best as telephone lines are in short supply (laptops get sand in by the way so careful attention to prevent this is needed, and covers for mobile phones is also a good idea) 2) Make arrangements to contact home, office, work at set times during the day, week etc and make sure you keep to the contact schedule. No call means somethings wrong!! 3) Be very careful with cameras, and bino's particularly at whom, what and where you point them. Ditto with any recording devices. pointing cameras, bino's, recording conversations and generally taking photos can be construed as 'hostile' behaviour in some places 4) you will need; medical insurance with full medivac cover to get you back home; life insurance (enought said); insurance for all gadgets, cameras, and I suggest clothing etc also. 5) Get a full medical before you go. if you require any medicine, you will need enough to last throughout your posting, it is in short supply and a lot of items are simply not available (unless your very wealthy!!) If you have any medical conditions liable to be problematic, this could include for example, diabetes, epilepsy etc consider NOT going. if you get into trouble help may be far away and treatment non-available Glases: if you wear glasses, take at least two pairs of each you have - with suitable clip-on shades (reactolite are OK unless you need to run quickly, often into dark places, where they may not 'react' quickly enough to assist you in getting out of trouble!! 6) water serilisation tablets - all you can carry; any other tablets for tummy bugs - the trots are common - colds and flu etc - yes you can get it!! 7) clothing; be careful it gets cold at night in the desert. A couple of good fleeces (pull-on type is good), water proofs - when it rains it rains, lightweights that wash and wear, shorts are a MEN ONLY item, girlies should wear trousers/slacks/long skirts and NOT shorts and keep head and shoulders/arms covered when in company of locals (also be prepared to cover face if necessary in some areas (so head scarf mandatory); a good hat for the guys with a wide brim to keep the sun off; a good long scarf to wrap-up and keep the wind/sand out and some sand goggles also; 'desert' boots, something that breathes and dries out easily, trainers are OK for loafing in camp but your feet will make you a loaner if you insist on wearing them all the time!! and some flip-flops; socks and nicks - lots of them as you can't always to get to dhobi facilities... 7) a good watch that looks cheap - expensive ones can attract unwanted attention; one with a compass facility would be good, or a compass also 8) ID; make sure your employer is going to provide you with adequate ID cards ect. DO NOT carry your passport around with you unless you absolutely need it; a cash stash belt or other similar shoulder holster type 'hidden' wallet; avoid wearing chunky rings/bracelets and necklaces etc 9) ensure you are able to access to air tickets home and DO NOT give up you passport to the employer, unless you have access to it at any time you need it!! A good idea would be to have an open airline ticket home for use at any time you ned to use it. Check also with the UK military and your employer for the emergency evacuation procedures that would be implemented in the event they are needed, and remember them very carefully... 10) DO NOT take local 'taxis' ensure you have suitable transport laid on that is reliable and before getting into any vehicle, make sure you know who is driving and who the passengers are... If in Doubt DONT GET IN 11) Sorry - no drinking, you will find it is 'dry' in almost all areas (unless you're invited to a military mess perhaps), but also be aware that drink was not against the law in Iraq under the old regime, but is particularly frowned upon by most islamic nations and peoples, being in a position of buying drink locally (where available) or drinking locally - especially in public, may place you in danger!! 12) Lastly, if you find yourself in any kind of trouble, DONT do the I'm British bit as this is likely to get your head stoved in. Be calm, be respectful, do as your told, try to get some interpretation for language difficulties, understand that offering cash might work but may also see you locked up forever and pennyless. always travel in groups ands NEVER leave anyone on their own - if you've gone in group come back in a group and stay together; DONT stop at any unofficial road block, unless you have no option (Kalashnikovs and RPG's pointed at your vehicle come under this heading)... I wish you well....

Posted By Hilary Charlton Although there is the very real issue of coming back in a body bag which needs to be of major concern when contemplating this sort of excursion, there is also the psychological damage that could be done as a result of this trip. I know you are ex-Navy, I don't know if you have been to war, I expect at some stage you have, but to see people being shot or blown up in front of you will have a profound psychological effect and you really need to consider this on your person before going. Other than that, I wish you luck if you decide to go because you're sure as hell gonna need it! Hilary

Posted By Karen Todd Rod, You would be perfectly safe if you came to Belfast. Things have changed a lot over the years. I can remember as a child walking through turnstiles where all persons going into the town centre were searched (patted down). I also remember in Marks & Spencer they used to go over everyone with a hand held metal detector. Those days are long gone, and most of the violence now is in-fighting between paramilataries and so-called 'punishment beatings' for antisocial activity such as joy riding or drug dealing - although this is still not acceptable. The police no longer drive around all the time in armoured landrovers and cars, most of the cars are marked so that they are highly visible. Most of the unmarked cars are traffic branch! Also, when officers go out on foot patrol now, they wear high visibility gear during the day. This would never have been the case years ago. Belfast has undergone a lot of regeneration - there used to be nothing at the Lagan waterfront. Now there is the Lagan Lookout, the Waterfront Hall, a Hilton hotel and lots of rather expensive apartments. It was on the news the other night that over the last 10 years, Northern Ireland has had the second highest rate of property growth in the UK (217% I think). Scotland was the only place where the growth was not in triple figures (87% I think). Karen

Posted By Rod Douglas Karen, I have no doubt that Belfast (Northern Ireland)is now a safe place to live and work, I was stating that when I went there it wasn't, as a 19 year old in 1979 Patrolling the streets of Ballymurphy, Turf Lodge & Anderson's Town, it was then the best laxitive known to man...lol What a training ground. Yours Aye, Rod D

Posted By Andrew L Ure Q. "Is anywhere safe in the Middle East these days???" A. Yes Q. "If so where?" A. (Amongst many other places) the Sultanate of Oman Lets not make sweeping generalisations Regards from Muscat Andrew Ure