rdmiller3's Journal: Looking for a native Iraqi pen-pal

I had no idea it would be difficult to find a native Iraqi who might want to exchange letters and/or e-mail.

I searched on the web, but all I could find was a bunch of places to get in touch with US military personnel stationed in Iraq. There seemed to be some in a "Language Exchange" site, but I'm not part of an Arabic study group so I'm not eligible for that. Certainly, I thought, there would be someone who would want to practice their English... although I guess they could do that with those soldiers.

What about Esperanto?!? Nope. As it turns out, there are Esperanto "Delegates" in lots of countries... a bunch in Iran, for example... but none in Iraq. Evidently, the former government actively supressed Esperanto in a way similar to other dictatorships which didn't want their people to be too friendly with other countries.

I've had enough of the lies and accusations of lies from politicians and news agencies. I want to know what's going on in Iraq from an Iraqi's point of view. Hey, I know they probably won't have a lot of accurate information either, but if countries are going to get along (as they say we will with the new Iraq, soon), then the people ought to get to know each other.

So I'd like to correspond with a native Iraqi, living in Iraq now. Preferably in Esperanto.

Anyone know how to find such a contact?