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

[Lucky2]

What, did Bush cut the guy's head off. Just watch, bill and hildabeast will be sniffing their be-hinds for publicity. I feel for their loss but I'm not going let them blame a good man for this evil!

[Howlin]

Now, now....just because the father posts on this forum doesn't mean there is anything "there"

http://internationalanswer.org/campaigns/m20/

[no dems]

Wait a minute. CNN stated that his parents had "NO COMMENT" on his death. I question the authenticity of this article. Besides, he was over there working and making mega bucks. No one made him go over there.

[Frank_2001]

Why can't they? They're typical lefty scum who would like nothing better than to see the USA reduced to the status of a Third World nation, or even better than that, destroyed completely and replaced by a Socialist hellhole. Eff 'em all!!!

[justanotherday]

"Now we have Berg's parents blaming those evil Republicans again, rather than the actual Moslem killers. There is a pattern here!"

Please answer, those that subscribe to the lists.

[justanotherday]

I was making a joke. You are too smart for your own good. I do like your posts, however.

[McGavin999]

Do you think now people will understand why President Bush wanted us to take the fight to the enemy? If we had not, these things would be happening right here.

This kind of vidio could be released from New York City, or LA.

[RightthinkinAmerican]

But wherever it happens, it'll be Rummy's fault. You can bet on it.

[justanotherday]

"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"

a mind is a terrible thing to waste.

[Howlin]

I apologize for jumping you; it's been a long nasty day.....I'm down to about one nerve.

[CurlyBill]

Typical Liberals .... blame everyone except those who did the deed. With murderers, they blame the gun manufacturers. With rapists, they blame society. With carjackers, they blame racism. With robbers, they blame the economy. With terrorists, they blame this President. Defies logic, doesn't it!

[RightthinkinAmerican]

Reporter's flow chart: Something happened in the world today. Was it a good thing? Yes ----- former Clinton administration policies. No ----- Rumsfeld.

[justanotherday]

You can jump me any day.

[Howlin]

And you were right; his father participated in A.N.S.W.E.R.

[nutmeg]

ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.

[kcvl]

ROFLOL!

I don't think you want to "go there". lol!

[Howlin]

Hey, Mr. Berg....still believe these left-hand a$$wipers are civilized, and there was no NEED to clean up this mess? Are the REALLY a "religion of Peace"?

Even after seeing them SAW his son's neck off, he still would rather blame Bush and Rumsfeld.

[Howlin]

I think they knew he was dead, just not how.

[RightthinkinAmerican]

>still believe these left-hand a$$wipers are civilized<

Minor correction, I don't think they wipe.

[cocoapuff]

It's amazing. He's in Irag with no job. He is Jewish and a tempting target. His parents are to blame for raising such a fool. It's a shame but don't blame Bush for kid's stupidity. Parents set bad example or stupidity in genes.