5 American Peace Activists Reported Trapped in Iraq
At least five American peace activists are trapped inside Iraq, according to one who returned to the United States on Monday.
Todd Brandoff, a 48-year-old Vietnam veteran, flew to Iraq two weeks ago to join an international group of peace activists at a camp on the Iraqi-Saudi border. The camp, established by the London-based Gulf Peace Team, was set up to place citizens from many countries between the opposing armies.
Brandoff said: “I decided not to go on to the camp. I have 12 bullet holes in me from Vietnam, and I knew my wife was worried sick. I’d done all I could do.”
He said he flew out with the last staff members of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on Jan. 11 and at least five Americans were still in the country. He said Thursday that he didn’t know if they made it to the camp or remained in Baghdad.
Brandoff said the Americans he left behind in Baghdad are Bob Bossie of Chicago; Michael Crouse of Issaquah, Wash.; Dina Lawrence of Evanston, Ill.; John Rogers of Westford, Vt., and Bruce Wolcott of Seattle.
“I took the last flight out,” Brandoff said. “To the best of my knowledge, they’re trapped.”
In addition, he said, 83 people from 21 countries were at the camp.
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