U.S. enlists insurgency hotline

By JIM KRANE
The Associated Press

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In two interviews yesterday with Arabic TV networks, Brig. Gen. Jeffery Hammond assumed the role of a big-city U.S. police chief, squinting into the camera and beseeching Iraqis to phone in anything they know about planned attacks.

"When you see this terrible insurgent about to do something, pick up your phone and call me. I'll do something about it," said Hammond, deputy commander of the 1st Cavalry Division. "We can fight this war together. You can help me fight — in secret."

In a series of messages, Hammond lambasted the insurgents for killing women and children. He said Iraqis could put the brakes on the insurgents.

"The choice is simple," Hammond continued. "You can choose the choice of the insurgent, which is death. Or you can choose the path of the interim government, which is life."

Hammond added, "I understand that you're scared. I'd be scared too. But someone in Baghdad sees the insurgent, knows the insurgent. Tell me what it is you know."

The division has received up to 30 calls a day since setting up the line two weeks ago. Not all callers are helpful. One caller last week declared he was a terrorist out to get Americans.

The 1st Cavalry has no arrests or operations to report that stemmed from phoned-in tips. But division spokesman Lt. Col. James Hutton said the line was useful for vetting intelligence and generating leads.

"It's giving us information that helps connect the dots," Hammond said.

Hammond said he has received a death threat for serving as a regular guest of a call-in program on a Baghdad radio station, as did the show's host. "We hit a raw nerve," he said. "It's my ambition to get into all the living rooms in Baghdad and tell our story ... on Arab TV."

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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