/I/raq, /aI/raq, /a/raq and /schwa/raq

[Barbara Need]

>The newscasters say /I/raq, as do the dictionaries. The generals
>they interview, however, say /aI/raq. But the Iraqis at my local
>kebab and "slice 'o' pizza" shops say either /a/raq or /schwa/raq.
>Naturally, the Iraqis trill their r's.
>

In the last couple of days, the newscasters have been saying
'/aI/raq--but /I/'raqi, or /@/'raqi, even in close proximity. I am
finding it very disconcerting.

Barbara