SPIEGEL:

Ms. Feldmann, in light of the most recent bomb attack on the International Red Cross in Baghdad and the series of suicides attacks, does humanitarian assistance in Iraq make any sense anymore?

Feldmann: Absolutely. If the non-governmental organizations, the NGOs, were to pull out now, that would be the wrong signal altogether. On the contrary, we at "Help" are in the process of augmenting our programs.

SPIEGEL: So you are heeding US Secretary of State Colin Powell's call not to give in to terror?

Feldmann: This really has nothing to do with Powell, but with our own understanding of humanitarian work. We still have an endless amount of work to do in Iraq, and we will stay as long as possible.

SPIEGEL: That sounds a bit heroic. The Red Cross and the UN are pulling out their international employees, at least for the time being.

Feldmann: That's sad, but they also have different security regulations than the NGOs. We simply have a different image, and we remain as invisible as possible. Naturally, we have armed guards at our office and our warehouse. But we are unarmed when we move around in Baghdad or out in the countryside. All foreigners are now being lumped together, and then come into the line of the fire. This makes our work somewhat difficult.

SPIEGEL: Does this mean that you are not particularly interested in military protection, such as that offered to the UN and the aid organizations by the Americans?

Feldmann: Heavens no! I recently spent three years working in the Chechen capital Grosny, with bodyguards nearby 24 hours a day. No, I would strictly reject military protection in Baghdad. The closer you get to the Americans, the more dangerous it becomes.

SPIEGEL: Given the current security situation, which projects can you really execute?

Feldmann: Quite a few, actually. The program for removal of mines, duds and mountains of ammunition still lying around. Then there is the repair of water treatment plants which, after twelve years of international sanctions, are completely devastated. Or our aid program for refugees and the poor in the cities, which is funded in part by the Foreign Ministry.

SPIEGEL: Is it true, as President Bush and his governor Bremer claim, that things are moving forward in Iraq and that there are few problems in 80 percent of the country?

Feldmann: There is clearly progress in terms of economic recovery and the power and water supply, and this is the case in a large portion of the region. But critical areas remain in and around Baghdad.

SPIEGEL: Apparently the British in the south are suffering fewer losses than the Americans. Why is this?

Feldmann: It has to do with differences in mentality. I would love to give the Americans a daily lesson in intercultural contact, show them how to interact with people here and that they shouldn't behave and move around like an occupying force. It's simply degrading when they arrest suspects and put plastic bags over their heads. I'm not surprised that hate for the Americans continues to grow.