Posted 12:44 PM by Blah blah

Hunger

Arms Outstretched in Desperation (Washington Post). Vivid story of hungry people of Safwan, Iraq, fighting for Red Crescent food aid.

Iraqi civilians feed hungry US marines (AFP). Poor American troops! I wish them the best! "Sergeant Kenneth Wilson said Arabic-speaking US troops made contact with two busloads of Iraqis fleeing south along Route Seven towards Rafit, one of the first friendly meetings with local people for the marines around here.

"They had slaughtered lambs and chickens and boiled eggs and potatoes for their journey out of the frontlines," Wilson said....

As troops munched on their feast, one medic warned the food could have been deliberately contaminated.

He was quickly disregarded as the hungry marines forged ahead to make a fondue out of a donated tin of Australian processed cheese, but the potatoes were eaten before the cheese could melt.

"Man I never thought a boiled egg could taste so damn good," one burly marine observed.

New York Times' Bureau Chief, Kuwait City

Patrick Tyler answers a selection of readers' questions every day in the NY Times. Good!