On Thursday, March 27, Dr. Mazin Zwayne, a Baghdad PRT colleague and adviser to Embassy and Coalition officials was killed during a rocket attack on the IZ.

I have had the extreme good fortune to develop many friendships with Iraqi-American colleagues during the two years I have served in Baghdad, and I know there is absolutely no way to estimate the value these friendships have brought to my work here, and to the rest of my life. I have often felt the guiding touch, heard the helpful whisper, seen the approving nod of these advisers and followed the safer paths their guidance pointed out. Dr. Mazin Zwayne was one such figure who selflessly and compassionately served his friends, his colleagues, our mission and the people of Iraq in such a way to engender the most remarkable respect for his dedication and the deepest sadness for his passing. He will be sorely missed.

During a series of meetings with some officials from Baghdad's provincial government I learned more about the cultural and social history of the Iraqi nation than I ever have out of any book I could have read. Of course, Dr. Mazin was along with me on these meetings. Or perhaps I should say that I was along with him. He displayed an astonishing ability to draw out some the most fascinating stories from every official that we engaged. I anticipated several dry meetings with some technocrats; Dr. Mazin turned them into symposiums on the historiography of Iraqi national identity. I needed to discuss some minor technical details on a project with these officials; after two rounds of chai I realized that Dr. Mazin had the group convinced to level a section of downtown Baghdad in order to begin the full-scale reconstruction of an ancient ziggurat. He was truly a scholar and a gentlemen -- and to the more than a few of us who have shared the experience of being compelled to sit through one of his impromptu lectures -- he will remain in our memories "The Professor." I consider myself highly fortunate to be among that number.

His understanding of the once and future glory of this nation and its people was, and remains, an inspiration to us all.

May God bless his soul and comfort all who knew and loved him.