Peace Corps Volunteer Andrew Sinclair in Jordan: The Syrian Border



Hartha rests near the Syrian border as well. On a clear day you can see the Golan Heights and Palestine/Israel (the name depends on who you ask). Our location obviously leaves us near perhaps the most precarious political situation in the world, so seeing the occasional Jordanian military convoy and gunner-Jeep driving through Hartha is not that surprising.

Peace Corps Volunteer Andrew Sinclair in Jordan: The Syrian Border

Sunday, July 31, 2005
Hartha and the Syrian Border

[Excerpt]

Hartha rests near the Syrian border as well. On a clear day you can see the Golan Heights and Palestine/Israel (the name depends on who you ask). Our location obviously leaves us near perhaps the most precarious political situation in the world, so seeing the occasional Jordanian military convoy and gunner-Jeep driving through Hartha is not that surprising.

Two days ago I went to the Yarmouk River, which serves a natural border between Jordan and Syria. I was with about four other Peace Corps Trainees (PCT's) and four Jordanians. We had driven out there to view the huge wadi that separates the two countries. As we were leaving in the dark, around 8:30, a machine gun racked military jeep pulled up in the gravel road to block our departure from the edge of the wadi. We were told that this area was off limits at night and the reason that the soldiers came to investigate us was because we had been spotted by one of the many surveillance posts that carefully monitor the border. The sheer display of firepower left me, and many of the others naturally cautious, but the soldiers where there only to give us a warning not to be there past nightfall. In the end it was kind of funny because I ended up welcoming the officers with the standard Jordanian greetings and hospitality as I served them Arabic coffee. And like any good host I was insistent on their acceptance of the coffee, despite their initial declination. They graciously accepted the coffee. After a little small talk they were pleased to hear that we all lived in Hartha. In the end the episode was not nearly as dangerous as it might have appeared, but like many things in our region it is a consistent reminder of the political tension.

When this story was posted in July 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:



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Special Events for RPCVs Join the NPCA in DC for Advocacy Day on July 28 NPCA to hold Virtual Leaders Forum on July 29 RPCV's "Taking the Early Bus" at Cal State until Aug 15 "Artists and Patrons in Traditional African Cultures" in NY thru Sept 30 See RPCV Musical "Doing Good" in CA through Sept RPCV Film Festival in DC in October

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July 17, 2005: This Week's Top Stories C. Payne Lucas writes "Can we win the war on HIV/Aids?" 11 July Director Vasquez hints at expansion in Bangladesh 17 July Why didn't I spend my life helping others? 17 July John Beasley returns to the islands of Micronesia 17 July Jennifer Field to study glacier melting 17 July Tucker McCravy works with Serendib in Sri Lanka 17 July David Vick writes "Waging civilized warfare" 16 July Tom Petri says Nelson helped to promote civility 16 July Peace Corps Director Visits Volunteers in Mongolia 15 July John Bridgeland writes "An example for Boomers" 15 July Robert Blackwill says India and US have a great future 15 July Peace Corps debuts new internet recruitment tool 14 July Eight New Country Directors Appointed 13 July Shelton Johnson Honored for Buffalo Soldier program 13 July Bill Lorenz leads trek for Sudanese refugees 12 July Emilie Pryor says Peace Corps ignores Lariam problems 12 July DDN is Award Finalist for reporting on PC Safety 11 July Randy Lewis to hire 200 people with cognitive disabilities 10 July Maryland needs people like Tom Lewis 10 July Dan DeWayne puts on music festival 10 July

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July 9, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Mike Honda says Democratic Party in paradigm shift 6 July Peace Corps Suspends Program in Gabon 8 July Thomas Tighe says Thailand is faring better 8 July Michael Parmly appointed top diplomat in Cuba 7 July Paul Timmreck got his start trailing garbage trucks 7 July Shays says London explosions should be wakeup call 7 July Tom Murphy says: Be Vigilant, But Not Afraid 7 July Gov. Doyle saddened and outraged by London Attacks 7 July RPCV Films organizing Film Festival 6 July Terez Rose writes Aid for Africa – Will the G8 Help? 6 July Carl Youngberg takes ballet to Honduras 6 July Kafatia faces a mandatory eight years in prison 6 July Bill Moyers says LBJ hated FOIA law 6 July Andy and Trudy Anderson work with The Hunger Project 5 July Thomas A. Dine deplores the attack against reporter 5 July Mime Troupe tackles history, politics and the World Bank 4 July Francis Mandanici says investigation could lead to impeachment 4 July Beth Bedinotti says motherhood is "toughest job" 1 July Director Vasquez Visits Volunteers in Eastern Caribbean 1 July

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July 8, 2005: PC suspends program in Gabon Peace Corps announced the suspension of the program in Gabon citing the high cost of the program. In addition, a 2003 Inspector General report documented safety and security costs of $1 million that would be necessary to keep the program operating successfully. Background: In 1998 Peace Corps Volunteer Karen Phillips was was found murdered in the weeds about 100 yards from her home in Oyem, Gabon. Her killer has never been brought to justice.

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