Monday, June 14, 2004

Car Lotto

The Telegraph notes that in Iraq there's a good reason to not drive around in an SUV:

In Iraq, driving a 4x4 has become tantamount to driving around the country with an American flag painted on the bonnet. In other words, very dangerous.

Dozens of Western contractors and government officials have been killed and most if not all were travelling in 4x4s, which are known in Baghdad by their American name, SUVs, or sports utility vehicles.

"There are several ways to get killed in Iraq if you're a foreigner. Top of the list is to drive a SUV," said Abu Saif Fatah, a team leader at the security group Diligence, which recommends that its clients stick to old Iraqi cars.

To Iraqis, the SUVs have become symbols of the occupation, as black Mercedes became synonymous with Saddam Hussein's reign.

Expensive, air-conditioned and often driven boorishly, they represent what Iraqis consider to be the arrogance and aloofness of the US-led administration.


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