Parents blame Bush for son's execution

financial times ^ | Published: May 12 2004 5:00 | Joshua Chaffin

[CGASMIA68]

Parents blame Bush for son's execution By Joshua Chaffin in Washington Published: May 12 2004 5:00 | Last Updated: May 12 2004 5:00

Parents of a UScontractor executed by Islamic militants in Iraq are blaming the Bush administration for his death, saying that US authorities had contributed to the tragedy by unlawfully detaining their son for nearly two weeks before his disappearance.

Michael Berg claimed yesterday that his son, Nick, was held by US authorities without access to a telephone or lawyer because of suspicions that he was an insurgent or terrorist. By the time he was finally released in early April, according to Mr Berg, the security situation had so deteriorated that it was difficult for him to make his way home.

"That's really what cost my son his life, the fact that the United States government saw fit to keep him in custody for 13 days without any of his due process or civil rights," Mr Berg said.

Nick Berg, a small business owner from Pennsylvania, went to Iraq in December to help rebuild the country's infrastructure. Instead, he became the latest western contractor to have died a grisly death in that pursuit.

His headless body was found on a roadside by US soldiers yesterday. A video from an al-Qaeda-affiliated website depicted his decapitation by a gang of men who claimed to be taking revenge for the abuses committed by US soldiers at the Abu Ghraib prison.

The execution drew outraged comments from US leaders. White House spokesman Scott McClellan said those responsible had "no regard for the lives of innocent men, women and children".

Rick Santorum, a Republican senator from Mr Berg's home state, called it "an outrage to the civilised world", and said: "If anyone wants to know what we're fighting and why we're fighting this war on terrorism, this is a very good example of it."

The family's accusation comes as the Bush administration struggles to fend off allegations that it has denied the civil rights of thousands of mostly Arab detainees it is holding in military prisons around the world on suspicion of terrorism.

Mr Berg was apprehended by Iraqi officials near the northern city of Mosul on March 24, according to his father, who claims that he was then interrogated by FBI agents.

Mr Berg was released on April 6, a day after his parents filed a lawsuit in federal court naming defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld as a defendant, and claiming that their son was being unlawfully held. They last heard from him on April 9.

The FBI said it was premature to comment on the case. An official familiar with the case acknowledged that FBI agents had interviewed Mr Berg, but said he was in Iraqi - not American - custody. The official was unable to clarify the legal difference between the two, given the US occupation.

But Mr Berg's father disputed this, saying it was "the FBI", when asked in a radio interview who had detained his son.

"We named Rumsfeld as the responsible person, and I still hold him responsible," Mr Berg said. "It's the whole Patriot Act. It's the whole feeling of this country that rights don't matter any more because there are terrorists about," he added. Additional reporting by Edward Alden

[Nix 2]

Which of these is the REAL Nick Berg?
And why was the guy in the video dressed in prison orange like Susan McDougall?

[Howlin]

It's true; doug from upland posted his remarks back in March!!!!

Doug, do you have the link?

[justanotherday]

I think I've touched more than a nerve...

[Howlin]

Gav, I don't actually *think* anything anymore. I can't make reason out of any of this.

[Howlin]

Now, don't make me laugh; I'm in a foul mood; don't try to spoil it with fun!

[Jorge]

Parents who have just lost a son will often say anything in their time of grief.
I have to take their blaming anyone other than those who murdered their son, with a grain of salt at this point.

[cardinal4]

I am sick today. The execution and my rage at the liberals who caused it is becoming visceral. Im turning of the news and the PC and going to bed. Tomorrow Im going to start an email and fax campaign to every liberal and liberal entity who I blame for the poor morale in America, in Iraq, and the for execution of Nick Berg. It will be a campaign to express my disgust and revulsion at their willingness to sacrifice Americans, just to get the White House back. It has been an awful week..

[Howlin]

I understand what you're saying, Jorge, but nowhere have I been able to find one word where they lashed out at the actual people who murdered him.

[Burkeman1]

And this poor kid's death will always be available for anyone to view online. I just saw photos of his execution from a link on this site and feel guilty about looking at them. Imagine the feelings of the family?

[Nix 2]

I don't think it's him.

[Howlin]

We should all do that.

And I think we all are sick today....sick of this crap.

[Starve The Beast]

"That's really what cost my son his life, the fact that the United States government saw fit to keep him in custody for 13 days without any of his due process or civil rights," Mr Berg said.

I smell LAW$UIT!

KA-CHINGGG!!

[Jank]

The parents will be on CBS in the morning, with Ted Kennedy.

[Cvengr]

Since he was being held prior to the parent's lawsuit, by reasoning similar to their reasoning, had they not filed the lawsuit, their son would probably have been alive today.

[Jank]

Yeah, they probably work for the Kerry campaign.

[doug from upland]

HERE IS THE ENEMY -- they have posted their names

Is this the dad --- Michael S. Berg, Teacher, Prometheus Methods Tower Service, Inc., West Chester, PA

[Jank]

My brother was an Army Airborne Ranger, and he has a saying,
"What is a civilian, in a war zone? IN THE WAY!"

[wai-ming]

"That's really what cost my son his life, the fact that the United States government saw fit to keep him in custody for 13 days without any of his due process or civil rights,"

What in the world is he talking about?

The U.S. government held him in custody and is thus responsible for his death at the hands of the Iraqis?

I'm sorry for the death of your son, but it was Islamic extremists, not the U.S. who murdered him.

[Howlin]

I'm sorry?