 Sadi Othman (center) translates for then U.S. Secretary of State Condaleeza Rice and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on December 17, 2007. |
by Dave Osborne
“Sadi Othman was a friend to the Iraqis.” These were the first words mentioned by Dr. Rafa al-Essawi, Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq, when recently phoned by Dave Osborne, who asked three Iraqi government officials about Othman’s contributions during his five years as a linguist and advisor in Iraq.
Al-Essawi, a Sunni Arab, added, “Sadi was brave and very helpful in our Iraqi reconstruction efforts during a very difficult period,” referring to Othman’s initial role as a civilian contractor assigned to assist General David Petraeus in the Mosul region of Iraq from 2003 to 2004.
Othman, a 1993 graduate of Hesston College, continued to work as linguist and advisor to Petreaus during Petreaus’ leadership of Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, then as senior advisor to Petreaus who became Commanding General Multi-National Force-Iraq.
“Sadi’s role was more than just translating,” al-Essawi said. “He was fully participating in moving reconciliation efforts forward. He played an important role in bridging gaps between the Americans and us.” Al-Essawi added, “Sadi played an important role in improvements made in our security situation. His role was very positive in bringing improvement of our political activities.”
Othman’s role as an advisor to Petreaus is mentioned several times in the recently-published book, Tell Me How This Ends: General David Petraeus and the Search for a Way Out of Iraq, written by award-winning author Linda Robinson (published in the fall of 2008 by PublicAffairs, a member of the Perseus Books Group). “The most valuable instrument in [Petraeus’] effort to influence [Iraqi leaders] was his adviser Sadi Othman, who was on the phone with them day and night.”
In a one-page description of Othman’s background, Robinson mentions Othman’s Hesston connection. “He attended a Mennonite school, Hesston College, in Kansas, where the teachings of peace and brotherhood deeply impressed him.” Robinson adds that Othman “gained a reputation among Iraqi officials as a reliable channel who would transmit their message without prejudice—and deliver an answer….”
In an e-mail to Osborne, Dr. Barham Salih, a Kurdish politician who serves as a Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq, also praised Othman’s work. “Sadi is unique. He understood Iraqi culture and politics. He became the indispensable channel between Iraqi and the U.S. military on many difficult issues.”
“It was clear that he genuinely cared about Iraq, and he developed an amazing network of personal relations with Iraqi leaders across the political divide. There was no protocol when it came to Sadi. From the Prime Minister down, all would answer his phone calls directly—often late at night.”
As Othman began to wind down his work in Iraq early last fall, he received a letter of commendation from then U.S. Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates. “Your vast cultural knowledge and adept diplomatic skills have been invaluable to our senior leaders, and your untiring efforts have been an integral factor in the remarkable security, and political and diplomatic gains achieved during this period.”
 Sadi Othman (right) visits with then Prime Minister Tony Blair of Great Britain on May 19, 2007. |
When Petreaus was asked by President Bush in 2008 to take on a new role as commander of the United States Central Command (USCENTOM) in October, Petreaus asked Othman to join his team, this time not as a civilian contractor, but as a U.S. government official assigned as Senior Special Advisor to the CENTCOM Commander.
CENTCOM is responsible for the U.S. military presence in 20 countries in the Middle East and Central Asia, stretching from Egypt across to Pakistan. Othman will serve as Petreaus’ communication link with political and military leaders across that region.
In a phone call with Osborne on January 27, Othman mentioned that Petreaus and he have recently been holding talks in a number of countries, including Lebanon, Yemen, Oman, some of the other Gulf states, and Egypt. Othman said, “I enjoyed meeting government officials in these countries, but it was really tiring.” He added, “We have a lot of work to do to improve the relationship between these countries and the U.S.”
In his new role, Othman takes with him the support of many of the Iraqi leaders. According to al-Essawi, “Sadi is a friend. He was a good supporter of Iraqis. His background in Arabic language and culture helped him understand Iraqi people and Iraqi society. He worked hard to build a good relationship between Iraqis and the U.S. military leadership. I want to thank him.”
Iraq’s official government spokesperson, Dr. Ali al-Dabbagh, a Shia Arab, spoke about Othman’s unique contribution as being his individual relationships with Iraqis. “Sadi’s contributions came from friendships he developed at the personal level, irrespective of the official level of the relationship. For example, I know that Sadi was in phone conversation just an hour ago [on January 30] with the Prime Minister. I know the conversation was very friendly.”
Deputy Prime Minister Salih also added a final note. “Sadi is a decent man who cares about doing the right thing. I thank him for so many good things he helped do in Iraq.”
Dave Osborne, Ac64, ’66, is international student director at Hesston College and a personal friend of Sadi Othman.