Posted on 08/16/2004 5:01:50 AM PDT by Pikamax
Military Not Moved by 'Oregonian' Report on Iraqi Prisoner Abuse
By E & P Staff
Published: August 13, 2004
NEW YORK The U.S. Army says it does not plan to investigate further an incident of Iraqi prisoner abuse that occurred on June 29, despite the story reported by the Oregonian in Portland last weekend that gained national attention.
In today's Oregonian, Mike Francis, the reporter who broke the original story, revealed that a U.S. military public affairs officer in Iraq wrote via email Thursday, "We see no reason for a further investigation."
Col. Jill E. Morgenthaler, a public affairs officer with the multinational force office, added, "The battalion commander did a thorough inquiry."
Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who sent a letter to the Pentagon asking it to investigate, remained firm saying, "We're going to keep asking questions."
The name of the general who ordered the Oregon Army National Guardsmen to reluctantly leave the detention facility, after they came to the prisoners' aid, has not been released.
On Wednesday, the Arkansas Democrat Gazette reported another episode, in which guardsmen from that state intervened to stop Iraqi soldiers from abusing prisoners taken near Sadr City.
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