Waiting for War, Some Journalists Enjoy Luxuries

By: Joe Strupp For hundreds of journalists gathered in Kuwait for the expected U.S. attack on Iraq, the accommodations are a far cry from the foxholes and bivouac tents of Ernie Pyle's excursions. At the two most popular spots for journalists, the Hilton Kuwait Resort and the Sheraton Kuwait, amenities rival those at some of the swankiest Hawaiian and Caribbean locales.

"It is not exactly 'war-is-hell' conditions," admitted Ron Martz of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, who's been at the Sheraton since November covering various aspects of the military build-up in the region. He says the hotel, which has dozens of journalist guests, offers a daily fresh fruit basket, afternoon tea, and a night turndown service "with a mint on the pillow."

Martz, who is waiting to "embed" with the Third Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, says the resort services could make one feel guilty. "But since I am going to be living in the sand soon, it doesn't bother me to be here," he said.

At the Hilton, which has tennis courts, a day spa, and a Starbucks, Melville, N.Y.-based Newsday correspondent Edward Gargan described the atmosphere as "surreal" with local families still coming to celebrate holidays while reporters and military public affairs people are milling about. "We will have breakfast in the restaurant and there are people there with their families and kids next to people in fatigues with gas masks hanging around their necks," he said. "There is a bizarre nature to it."

With 147 rooms, the Hilton provides audio/visual equipment rental, mobile phone rental, and a choice between the Blue Elephant Thai Restaurant or the Lebanese Courtyard Restaurant. Guests are also close to both the Kuwait Magic Mall and the local facilities of Halliburton, the Houston-based oil and gas company.

Alas, not everyone who is staying at the Hilton is taking in all of the pampering. Said one reporter for a leading newspaper waiting to be embedded: "I've been here two months and I haven't sat on the beach once."