Schwarzenegger Slams California in Iraq

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Action movie megastar Arnold Schwarzenegger beefed up Independence Day celebrations by American soldiers in Iraq on Friday, entertaining them in a badly-needed distraction from deadly attacks on servicemen.

Inside Saddam Hussein's former summer vacation palace, he mixed self-deprecating jokes with praise for hundreds of soldiers who stood on marble floors and cheered from balconies draped with the Stars and Stripes.

But some were not so impressed with the former Mr. Universe, now known as the fearless Terminator of blockbuster films.

"Actually he is a lot smaller than I thought he was going to be. I was picturing Conan (the Barbarian). I saw Kindergarten Cop," said Staff Sergeant Dominique Rollins, referring to characters Schwarzenegger has played in movies.

Despite such complaints about the size of the six foot two inch actor, Schwarzenegger boosted the morale of U.S. troops, who have lost 26 comrades to attacks since the United States declared major combat over on May 1.

He thanked soldiers for making the American way of life possible -- talk likely to fuel speculation that he will seek to run for California governor.

"First of all congratulations for saying hasta la vista (goodbye) baby to Saddam Hussein. I came here from the United States because I wanted to pump you all up," he said as cheers erupted from soldiers in sand-colored camouflage uniforms.

LIKE CALIFORNIA

The battered streets of Baghdad may be a far cry from Schwarzenegger's home in glitzy Los Angeles -- but he managed to find some comparisons.

"This is really wild driving around here. I mean the poverty. And you see there is no money. Disastrous financially. Then there is a leadership vacuum. Pretty much like in California right now," he said.

Schwarzenegger said he could not believe how he was frisked on airplanes on his way to Iraq.

"I got frisked so many times that I feel like the movie 'Freddy Got Fingered'," he said to roars of laughter.

"I tell you oil wells all around. I have not seen that much oil since the last time I oiled up for the Mr. Universe contest."

Two women soldiers giggled as they tried to touch his muscular forearms during a group photo.

"It's pretty bad when you have to get deployed in Iraq to see him," said Captain Jeanette Husman, from Lacrosse, Wisconsin.

Schwarzenegger was due to travel to volatile Balad, northwest of Baghdad, later on Friday. A mortar attack near the town wounded 10 U.S. soldiers on Thursday night. In Baghdad, a U.S. soldier was shot and killed.

The Austrian-born actor told U.S. soldiers "I'll be back," a phrase he uses in movies to rattle his enemies.

Some American soldiers said others should boost their morale.

"They need to bring J-Lo out here. Oh yeah I am a big fan of hers," said Specialist Julio Lopez, referring to filmstar and pop singer Jennifer Lopez.



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