Posted on 03/07/2004 4:53:59 AM PST by Michael Todd
I am a British Citizen who entered Iraq on the 13th of June 2003 to search for my missing half Iraqi daughter (aged 2) and to give out soft toys to Iraqi children. I travelled to Iraq with the full knowledge of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Baghdad, the US and UK Embassied in Ankara, the Turkish Prime Minister and also certain units of the US Army. Despite this, I was forcibly captured by the US as I walked down a street in Sulaimaniyah (North Iraq). I was captured on the 4th of July along with soldiers of the Turkish Special Forces and was treated like a terrorist suspect - kicked, beaten and spat at. I was cuffed and a plastic bag was put on my head. On my person was 100% documentary proof as to why I was in Iraq. Despite this I was bundled into a truck along with the non-uniformed Turk soldiers and driven to Kirkuk Airbase. US soldiers said I was a terrorist. They "accidentally" cut my hand when they took my plastic handcuffs off with a knife and my hearing was impaired the next day when they flew us to Baghdad in a Chinook Helicopter without ear protection. We were all dressed in orange, in a 'Guantanamo Bay' suit, and denied any rights. My toe was broken when a soldier kicked me as I lay on the runway at Baghdad Airport, suffering from exhaustion. The Turks were released on the 6th of July but I remained in custody for three weeks under 24/7 armed guard. Yes, even as I slept (dreaming of my missing child), M16's were pointed at me just two metres away.
Since my release I have contacted President Bush, John Kerry and Tony Blair, asking them to help me find my minsisng daughter in Iraq. None of them has yet replied.
I love America but need to know why this happened and what Mr Bush or Mr Kerry will do about finding my dautghter in Iraq.
I ask President Bush a specific WMD question; 'Wheres My Daughter?'
I can be contacted at mtodd@linuxmail.org
Thank you for reading; I value debate, questions and suggestions as I hope to be visiting the USA soon.
Michael Todd (Ex Prisoner of War in Iraq)
Michael Todd & daughter's photo via BBC Website
By chance I just saw this thread and I would like to wish you luck in finding your daughter Sajida.
I am sure it is difficult to get the ear of Bush or Blair on such a subject. I wonder if you would have more luck trying to contact people lower in command, yet on the ground there (or, who were on the ground there... or who know people on the ground there...). For example (off the top of my head) I know there's a military blogger named "Chief Wiggles" who set up a toy drive for children. I have no reason to think he could personally get you any closer to your goal, but it's worth a shot, as contacting someone like him (you can email him from his page) at least has a chance of getting your request "into the loop" so to speak, if he could pass it along to someone who might be able to get the wheels turning, point you in the right direction, etc. I imagine there are other military bloggers etc. out there, and if you found this website, I'm sure you could find them, I know that all of them would like to help you find your daughter if at all within their power.
Again, best of luck to you sir.
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