Senator: 'Many, Many' Iraq Abuse Probes Under Way

Reuters ^ | May 9, 2004

[yonif]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - There are "many, many" criminal investigations going on of deaths in Afghanistan and Iraq, well beyond Baghdad's Abu Ghraib prison, a leading Republican senator said on Sunday "This is deeper and wider than I think most in this administration understand," U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska told CBS's "Face the Nation."

U.S. officials have insisted the abuses at Abu Ghraib were carried out by a handful of soldiers and not part of a systematic program of brutality.

Hagel said he could not discuss matters presented to him as a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee but they extended beyond the ongoing controversy over Iraqi prisoners of war at the prison. The panel was briefed on Friday by top intelligence and Army officials.

"There are many, many investigations ongoing now as a result of deaths in Afghanistan and Iraq, deaths that came at the hands of United States officials," Hagel said.

He said some of the probes have been referred to the U.S. Justice Department. "It's probably in the range of 30, maybe more than that, of investigations, not all are homicide," he said.

The scandal exploded last week with the release of photographs showing grinning uniformed personnel posing in front of naked detainees.

So far, seven military police have been charged with abusing prisoners in the prison where Saddam Hussein tormented thousands of Iraqis, and a court martial was set for one in Baghdad next week. The Army said on Friday it was investigating possible abuse by U.S. soldiers of 42 Iraqi civilians in addition to 35 investigations of abuse of prisoners.

The Army said previously it was looking into the deaths of 25 prisoners held in Iraq or Afghanistan, determining there were two homicides by Americans against Iraqi prisoners, one case of justifiable homicide and 12 cases in which the cause of death was natural or undetermined.

Ten other deaths and 10 cases of nonlethal assault remain under investigation, the Army has said.

[Semper Paratus]

They are going to overplay their hand here.

[Mr. Mojo]

No doubt about it. ......the backlash has already begun, in fact.

[Gator113]

"Hagel said he could not discuss matters presented to him as a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee ......"

Well excuse me, isn't THAT exactly what he just did?? Republican or Democrat...some of these fools need their damn secret clearance dumped......or stuffed up their collective -----!

[EGPWS]

He said some of the probes have been referred to the U.S. Justice Department.

Swell, now in times of war the military has to look over it's shoulder to find the Justice Dept. watching them.

Somebody sure has a directive to make this undertaking another Vietnam.

It "ain't" going to work.

[Bahbah]

And they wonder why the administration doesn't want to tell them anything, the blabbermouths.

[CasearianDaoist]

They may have already. We will see how the poll numbers go. It will be interesting to see if the GOP leadership get out in front of this and calls the Rats on their treasonous use of this "scandal." I cannot

Guess we will know about a weak from today how much legs this one has. I truly wonder if people really care. It does point out that the ultimate sin for the left is to harm enemies of our troops. I would dearly love to see someone like Cheney let loose on that one. WE have had more than enough Mea Cuplas. Time to start swinging.

[Williams]

Hagel is a pure scum bag. How could it be wider than "this Administration" realizes? He gets all his information from the Administration. He is a real ass, which is why he's quoted.

[CasearianDaoist]

Tell me about it? what makes you say that? I would really like to know what you mean.

[VRWC For Truth]

There must be no budget crisis since we have money to throw at this non-story.

[EGPWS]

Well excuse me, isn't THAT exactly what he just did??

Yes, however in his mind I'm sure what he has done is give the press their information as needed to keep the American people informed.

[antaresequity]

It "ain't" going to work.

Another major terrorist strike will erase this from the Radar for ever.

[Williams]

By the way, prisoner abuse in an active war situation is not that surprising. This is being hyped to a point of mass hysteria. It happened. Correct it. Move on. The idea that the President told a soldier to point at people's penises is - pick one - ludicrous, simplistic, idiotic.

[Mr. Mojo]

The backlash I was referring to is against leftists who are overplaying this for political gain.

[Williams]

Yes, and I've been hearing it on talk radio in the form of impassioned calls from parents reminding us taht these prisoners killed their son or daughter.

[EGPWS]

How could it be wider than "this Administration" realizes?

It isn't and I'll take the dialog of the honorable Donald Rumsfeldt as truth, It doesn't have to be affirmed by the likes of Hagel to become gospel.

[Clara Lou]

Another major terrorist strike will erase this from the Radar for ever.
I think that you're right about this.

[EGPWS]

This is being hyped to a point of mass hysteria.

A ditch effort to sway the political mindset of the masses before a major election by political underdogs.

[CasearianDaoist]

Oh please, you do not have to talk me down on this. The only scandal is the attempt to turn this into another My Lai and damage the war effort. I am not the least upset by this "scandal." I am mortified by the sleazy are traitorous tactics the Rats are employing. I have spent the last two weeks in hyper liberal enclaves and so I have no idea who this is really going over with the public at large. That is why I ask. Even the Libs do not seem really that stirred up. I am really curious. Bush handled it at such a breakneck speed that I am still having trouble gauging the response. I appreciate the input but believe me it is not required here.

[EGPWS]

Another major terrorist strike will erase this from the Radar for ever.

In a heartbeat, however it will take much less that that to erase it IMHO.