Re: Bell - Not Knowing is the Most Frustrating

Date: June 04, 2004

"Timothy Bell's family says not enough being done

KBR employee has been missing in Iraq for nearly two months

By GARRY MITCHELL Associated Press Writer

For Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Bell, who was aboard the USS Normandy near Iraq before the war began last year, the violence has now hit home.

His brother, civilian truck driver and Army veteran Timothy E. Bell of Mobile, has been missing since his convoy was attacked April 9 on the out skirts of Baghdad. And his family is distressed by the lack of information or efforts to find him.

It's the "not knowing" that's most frustrating, said his brother, now stationed at Little Creek Amphibious Base in Virginia.

"They need to let us know something, one way or the other, so we could have some closure," said a sister, Deborah Bell. "If he's alive or dead -- that's what we want to know."

Another brother, Eric Bell of Atlanta, said Wednesday, "The military or company should send out search parties and keep lines of communication open with the family."

The missing 45-year-old father of two worked for Halliburton Company's KBR division and took the job in Iraq for the pay, with plans to be married this summer. He was driving in a fuel convoy that was hit by gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades in the attack two months ago.

At least five KBR employees and two American soldiers were killed. Thomas Hamill, of Macon, Miss., who was also in the convoy, escaped from his captors May 2.

Government and Halliburton officials have said they don't know if Bell is alive. A State Department spokesman said any search for Bell would be the responsibility of the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq. A CPA spokesman could not be reached Wednesday for comment about Bell.

"As far as the family is concerned, Tim is still alive," said Eric Bell, a former U.S. Marine.

"My personal opinion, I believe there's something they (Halliburton) know. But they're not telling us until they make all the necessary provisions with their company. But to go this long and not know anything, doesn't make sense to me," he told the Associated Press in an interview.

But Halliburton spokeswoman Wendy Hall in Houston said the company can confirm only that Bell is missing and doesn't have any new information.

"This is a difficult and anxious time. Hopefully, we will know soon," she said. "This is a grueling period, and we are all asking why. We, too, are angry because these were brutal, incomprehensible attacks. There is no road map for something like this.

"All that we can do now is help, in any way we can, assist the families as well as our employees, cope with the situation," she said in an e-mailed statement Wednesday.

Bell's two brothers, two sisters, mother and other family members attended a Monday night candlelight prayer vigil in a Mobile city park, joined by several hundred supporters who encouraged the family to hold on to hope for Bell's safe return.

With a voice choking with emotion, Eric Bell said his brother remained in Iraq when a lot of others headed back to the United States because of the violence.

"Tim Bell got on a truck and did his job," he said at the public rally. "The last thing I talked to Tim about was having a family reunion. Our family has never had a family reunion. But it's amazing how God works. We're having a family reunion."

He said his missing brother's plight should generate support for others serving in Iraq.

Vigils also have been held for Pfc. Keith "Matt" Maupin of Batavia, Ohio, a 20-year-old Army reservist who was in the unit escorting the convoy. Video of him being held hostage was released in April.

Besides Bell and Maupin, civilian contractor William "Bill" Bradley, 50, of Chesterfield, N.H., also remains missing."