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

[mafree]

I like your tagline- sad but true.

[ladyinred]

OMG! I can't take much more of this stuff!

[nmh]

Wasn't this guy an INDEPENDENT contractor with his FATHER as his "manager"? How can the father blame Bush or anyone else when he, the father, allowed his son to go over there seeking contracts? As for being detained wasn't it the Iraqis that detained him? Isn't it also odd that a guy would go over there on his own, by himself, looking for contracts?

His parents are a disgrace and dishonor their son. They do Kerry proud. He's also a hypocrite.

[tricky_k_1972]

that should be 36 and 27, sorry.

[GottaLuvAkitas1]

"These poor usefull idiots with their minds stuffed with socialism to the hilt. They will blame their parents. They will blame something in their repressed memory. They will blame it on green eggs and ham. They will blame their teacher. They will blame Rumsfeld. They will blame Bush. They never will take any responsibility for the consequences of their own behavior. They will get out the lawyers and the lawsuits. They will call their pandering politician. They will have their orgy of victim-hood all over the press. They will have a great big hissyfit. They will cry for Mommy Government to come and wipe away their tears with some nice green hankies."

I have never read a more pathetic bunch of crap that rings so much thruth here before your post.
Very well said!
You are now on my "cool beans" radar.

[RightthinkinAmerican]

OK. When his family came out attacking and blaming Bush immediately, and jumping on the "hate-Rummy" bandwagon, I assumed the worst of their family political bent.

[ladyinred]

I've also heard that his father has signed on the ANSWER pledge.

.Well there you go. That explains a lot.

[RightthinkinAmerican]

They'll always find a way to blame Bush. Lindberg kidnapping?

[af_vet_1981]

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

In hindsight it is obvious these parents should not have sued to force his release but I don't blame them for their son's death. I blame the terrorists that they are supporting.

[justanotherday]

Looks like anothe innocent Iowa boy to me. Not!

[Frank_2001]

If he's stupid enough to belong to a bunch of ignorant sh!tbags like ANSWER, he probably does believe that.

[katz]

It was a caller to the Mark Levin show...Mark did not support or discount the statement.

[vanmorrison]

Before Rachel Corrie there was Monica Lewinsky. Remember how Lewinsky's parents, who were California Jewish Democrats, blamed Ken Starr and the Republicans for their daughter's self-inflicted fiasco? Now we have Berg's parents blaming those evil Republicans again, rather than the actual Moslem killers. There is a pattern here!

[RightthinkinAmerican]

Some crook stole my car battery - therefore I blame the Chief of Police. Idiotic logic.

[Lancey Howard]

There is more to this story than meets the eye.
Something stinks to high heaven. The father files a lawsuit naming Rumsfeld?? Gimme a break. I would like to see some deep background on this family. There's a definite stench.

[justanotherday]

"Nick Berg, a small business owner from Pennsylvania, went to Iraq in December to help rebuild the country's infrastructure"

Excuse me, he was a contract plumber. Not.

[dougherty]

I feel for the man having lost his son but he is totally unreasonable. The crazy terrorists are the ones responsible, not any American.
I was surprised tonight when CNN played a clip from Sunday with the father saying his son had supported the war and the Bush administration. I am so disgusted by these animals and the Americans that want to politicize everything.

[Howlin]

You are wrong; he came HOME from Iraq in February and went back on March 21st; he went back with NO job.

[Mike Darancette]

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

Maybe Berg was being protected. Why a Jewish (or any non-Moslem) guy would go into a Muslim Country alone and without support is beyond my comprehension.

[searchandrecovery]

These "parents" are the lowest form of human scum.