Redstate

Godspeed my friend

By AcademicElephant Posted in Special Events — Comments (0) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

When I arrived in Baghdad there were several others living in "The Pen," as the communal quarters at the Combined Press Information Center (CPIC) are affectionately known. Jeff was there, of course, and also Greek Public Television correspondant George Kiliaris, Linda Robinson of US News and World Report, Monte Morin of Stars and Stripes, and Dmitry Chebotaev, a photographer with Russian Newsweek. You make friends pretty fast in such a context, regardless of political bent or country of origin. George and Dimitry already knew each other from previous assigments, and their existing friendship broke the ice for the rest of us. In that oddest of environments that is Baghdad today--a war zone that is a functioning large city--we managed to achieve what I least expected: a circle of congenial and collegial friends whose company made our assignment enjoyable.

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On the afternoon of our second day, I ventured out of our compound with Dimitry and George to pay a visit to the Post Exchange (PX) in the International Zone (the "IZ"). It was a Friday and so a day of religious observance, and the busses didn't seem to be running regularly so we decided to walk the mile or so to our destination. Without condescension or impatience, George and Dimitry tolerated my gaffes ("Um, Victoria, it's not a good idea to take pictures. Your camera will be taken away.") and shephered me through my first security checkpoint. We took in the landmarks, talked about the city, their previous experiences in Iraq and their recent embeds. George was finishing up his trip while Dimitry was heading back out in the field. He was looking forward to being back with the troops where the action was, and spoke admiringly of the courage demonstrated by soldiers on the front lines. After this trip, he said he was planning to end his association with Newsweek so that he could freelance. There would be fewer restrictions on him then.

After the excitement of the PX, we found a bus to take us home. It stopped suddenly en route and the driver got out. We three were alone on the bus with the curtains were drawn so we couldn't see out or hear any voices. In about three heartbeats Dimitry leaned down and locked the door with a simple, practiced response that wouldn't have occurred to me--and I wouldn't have known how to do it if it had. Moments later the driver came back and we resumed our journey, arriving back at CPIC unscathed. It was a small thing, but I was struck by his instincts and experience, as well as his practicality.

The next night Dimitry and Jeff left for their respective embeds. We all exchanged admonitions to "stay safe." Two weeks later, Linda, Monte, George, Jeff and I are back in our respective homes, but much to our sorrow we learned that Dimitry was not so fortunate. He and six soldiers were killed on Sunday, May 6th, when their vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb.

Of course, Dimitry was doing what he chose to do and he was well-aware of the risks. He would not have asked for pity or outrage at his death. But I don't think he would mind the recognition he deserves for his courage and integrity. From the little I knew him, Dimitry was an excellent war correspondant who was there to report on the war, not to insert himself into it. I got the sense that what he really wanted was to fade into the background so his camera could capture the authentic action.

Dmitry Chebotaev was a brave and talented man, and all of us interested in first-hand, unvarnished reporting from Iraq are the poorer for his loss. Godspeed my friend.