The US general and the Iranian pilgrim (this is too much, Patreaus touts Iraqi Tourism)

by Bryan Pearson
Thu Jan 17, 3:07 AM ET



ZURBATIYAH, Iraq (AFP) - The old Iranian man with a grizzled face, carrying a pole from which a green flag honouring revered Imam Hussein flutters, looks startled when the top US general in Iraq stops for a chat.

"Asalam Aleikum," General David Petraeus says to the man, who heads a queue of Iranians at the Zurbatiyah border crossing into Iraq, on their way to Karbala for this week's Ashura rituals, Shiite Islam's holiest ceremony.

"You going to Karbala?" the general asks, his words being translated for the old man, dressed warmly in polo neck, jacket and black woollen bonnet against the cold whipping in from the nearby snow-capped mountains in Iran.

The man nods, not sure why he is being asked this question, or exactly who it is who is asking it.

"Your first time to Karbala?" continues Petraeus, surrounded by soldiers of the Border Transition Team.

"No, I have been 10 times before," the man answers through the interpreter.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080117/pl_afp/iraqunrestiranusborder_080117064132;_ylt=AnWA9Xu27oW_zm5levI3F2RX6GMA