Posted on 05/27/2004 9:26:51 PM PDT by Rennes Templar
May 27, 2004 | Filmmaker Michael Moore filmed an interview with American Nicholas Berg in the course of producing his documentary film "Fahrenheit 9/11" before Berg left for Iraq, where he was taken hostage and killed, Moore confirmed to Salon in a statement Thursday. The 20 minutes of footage does not appear in the final version of "Fahrenheit 911," according to the statement.
Word of the footage reached Salon through a source unaffiliated with Moore or his film "Fahrenheit 9/11," which is reported to feature stark images of U.S. civilians and soldiers grappling with conditions in war-torn Iraq, as well as examining the relationship between President George W. Bush and the bin Laden family. It received the Palme d'Or, the Cannes Film Festival's highest honor, on Saturday.
In a statement widely circulated by Moore's people after an initial request for comment by Salon, Moore said, "We have an interview with Nick Berg. It was approximately 20 minutes long. We are not releasing it to the media. It is not in the film. We are dealing privately with the family." Moore's camp declined to comment further on any aspect of the interview. Because the footage is not in the film, a spokeswoman for Miramax Films, the production company behind "Fahrenheit 9/11," said the company had no comment.
It was not clear from Moore's statement whether footage from the interview with Berg had ever been included in early cuts of "Fahrenheit 9/11." Reports about a film industry controversy surrounding distribution of the film first hit the news on May 5, a week before Berg's death. The film officially screened for the public and the press for the first time during the Cannes festival on May 17.
The news that Moore spoke to Berg while he was still in the United States only adds to the mystery surrounding the young man's presence in Iraq and tragic death. The interview was shot before the 26-year-old Berg left for Iraq late last year as a private contractor in the hopes of helping to rebuild the ravaged country. Though it was unclear what Berg spoke about in his interview with Moore, or how the two men met, unrelated reports following his death indicate that he headed for the Middle East with plans to work to improve the country's technological infrastructure and communication abilities. He ran his own company, Prometheus Methods Tower Service, in a suburb of Philadelphia.
Berg did not find employment in Iraq, and when he attempted to return to the United States he was detained by Iraqi police and questioned by American forces. He was released after his family complained. But shortly after, he is believed to have been kidnapped by Islamic terrorists. Video of his beheading was released on an Islamist Web site on May 11. Salon was unable to reach the Berg family for comment before publication.
Moore's film chronicles the United States' military, political and business involvement in the Middle East in the years before and after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. His previous politically charged films, including "Roger & Me" and "Bowling for Columbine," have created controversy and won him praise (including an Oscar, for "Columbine"). "Fahrenheit 9/11" has already sparked a media storm; in early May, Miramax's parent company, Disney, announced that it would not allow Miramax to distribute the film, which is highly critical of Bush and his administration.
Miramax has yet to make a deal with a distributor, though the film's warm reception at Cannes and the publicity surrounding the film have made it a hot property that is generating a lot of interest in Hollywood. "Bowling for Columbine" grossed $21 million, making it the highest-grossing non-IMAX documentary of all time.
A source close to "Fahrenheit 9/11" said that a new distributor will be announced shortly, and that the film is expected to be released in theaters during the first week of July, as originally planned.
Here's my question....don't you have to secure work BEFORE you go to Iraq? I mean, can I go over there by myself, with my passport stamped with an Israeli stamp, and make a sign saying, "Will work for $100 an hour? I mean, I know contractors who went to Iraq, but they're all with respectable companies who are RESPONSIBLE FOR THEM. This is just too weird.
I want on to the ping list. This story just has more questions than answers.
I'm presuming that Nick was put in touch with MM through his dad the ANSWER member. The question is why...and what did Nick say? I thought Nick was supposedly pro-war.
I don't know. Remember the thread about the guy who saw him everyday at the gym? He goes to Iraq to find work, but takes the time to go to the gym everyday?
Anyone here going or know anyone who is going to be at the RUMBLE AT RUMSFELD'S ROUND III - D.C. CHAPTER Vs. ANSWER & MICHAEL BERG, JUNE 5?
Perhaps some judiciously worded signs should appear. Of course these are long signage suggestions but could be modified:
"What did Michael Moore know about Berg's death and when did he know it?"
"What does Moore have to hide about Berg?"
"Come Clean about Berg Michael Moore"
"Was Berg working for you Moore"
"Did Moore's adolescent "movie making" lead to the death of an American?"
This might be one way to change the tone and tenor of that planned media extravaganza.
Bingo.
Just one more liberal biting the bullet and/or rolling over for the cause. THe religion of liberalism, must offer at least a gross of virgins, the way thee adherents thereof are so willing to sacrifice their own family members. Sort of reminisent of the Mafia.
Done!
Nicholas Berg Timeline and Video analysis
Timeline of Nick Berg
Please post additions and corrections.
1999:
While attending a course at a remote campus of the University of Oklahoma near an airport, Nick Berg gave his email account and password to a student on a bus who may have been an acquaintance of Moussaoui . That email account was later used by Zacarias Moussaoui, a 911 suspect who attended flight school in Oklahoma in February 2001. Mr. Berg was unaware the person had terrorist ties.
CNN
The director of the The University of Oklahoma is David L. Boren, mentor of CIA director George Tenet.
George Tenet
David Boren
April/May 2000:
Lt. Bruce Chan of the university police at the Norman, Okla., campus, said yesterday by phone that Berg was busted twice for apparently living at the student union center - after he was no longer enrolled as a student.
Chan said that, after receiving complaints from staffers at the Oklahoma Memorial Union that Berg was camped out there, police issued a warning and then twice arrested him for trespassing, a misdemeanor. He said the arrests were in April and May 2000, but Chan didn't have exact dates.
Philly.com (subscription)
2000/2001
Nick Berg is listed as a public events attendant at Lloyd Noble center at Oklahoma University
INN
http://news.globalfreepress.com/ewing/images/bergOK1.gif
2001 or 2002:
The FBI contacts Nick Berg and questions him about the incident after his computer password turned up in Moussaoui's belongings. They cleared Berg of any terrorist links.
Chron.com
March 2003
Nick Berg’s father, Michael Berg participates in an anti-war rally.
Michael Berg belonged to an organization called ANSWER, or Act Now to Stop the War and End Racism.
Timed Herald
December 21 2003
Nicholas goes to Iraq to look for work.
He also travels to Mosul to visit an Iraqi who was the brother of a man who had married his late aunt.
Jan 4 2004
He sends an email and describes working on towers near Abu Ghraib
Duluth Superior
His Email
January 18 2004
He sends another email where he mentions he was arrested and released.
Duluth Superior
He also states that his company had been announced as an approved subcontractor for a broadcast consortium awarded a contract for the U.S.-controlled Iraqi Media Network.
Guardian
February 1 2004
He leaves Iraq.
March 7 2004
The freerepublic website provides a list of persons under the heading HERE IS THE ENEMY -- they have posted their names
On that list is Michael S. Berg, Teacher, Prometheus Methods Tower Service, Inc.,
Freerepublic
BreakForNnews
March 14 2004
Nick travels back to Iraq to look for work for his company, Prometheus Methods Tower Service, Inc.
March 24 2004
He contacts his parents and tells them he will return to the States on March 30th.
That same day, he is arrested near a checkpoint in Mosul by Iraqi officials.
They find an Israeli stamp in his passport.
They also find a copy of the Koran and other literature.
Philly.com
March 26 2004
The first of three FBI questionings during his detainment.
Thestate.com
March 31 2004
FBI agents inform Nick’s parents that their son is alive but is in jail following an arrest.
Thestate.com
April 1 2004
Nick’s parents receive an email stating:
““I have confirmed that your son, Nick, is being detained by the U.S. military in Mosul. He is safe. He was picked up approximately one week ago. We will try to obtain additional information regarding his detention and a contact person you can communicate with directly,””
Thestate.com
April 5 2004
Nick’s parents file a suit demanding the release of their son.
April 6 2004.
Nicholas is released.
He goes back to his hotel and tells a United Press International photographer about his arrest.
“"Nick told me that he was held for a few hours by the police and then taken to a U.S. military base and held for almost two weeks by the U.S. military. He repeatedly said he was held in the [Coalition Provisional Authority] jail in Mosul for two weeks," Mr. Infante said.”
Washington Times
April 9 2004
He contacts his parents and says he will try to come home by way of Jordan, Turkey or Kuwait.
USA today
April 10 2004
A State Department spokeswoman said a U.S. consular official in Iraq spoke with Berg on April 10 and offered to "assist him in departing Iraq by plane" for Jordan. She said Berg declined and said he planned to travel overland to Kuwait.
Seattle Times
His father said his son e-mailed him that he didn't want to travel to the airport because he believed it was too dangerous. American soldiers refer to the airport highway as "RPG Alley" because of frequent attacks by insurgents firing rocket-propelled grenades.
Christian Science Monitor
His family and friends do not hear from him after that date.
April 19 2004
Three calls were made from his phone — to Jordan, to the United Arab Emirates and to a local number. No confirmation of whether it was him or someone who had taken his phone.
USA Today
May 7 2004
An email from his parents is posted on a yahoo news groups asking for anyone with information on their sons dissaperance to come forward.
Email on Yahho Group
May 8 2004.
His body is found on a Baghdad highway overpass.
“The body found on the overpass was identified as Nick Berg, 26, of West Chester, Pa., a self-employed civilian contractor. Berg's body, with signs of trauma, was found Saturday, the military said. “
USA today
May 10 2004
His parents are informed of his death.
May 11 2004
The news media reports the decapitation of Nicholas Berg and the posting of the video on al-ansar.biz
“The Web site said Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a top ally of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, was the man who cut off Berg's head. The statement read out before the killing was signed off with Zarqawi's name and dated May 11.”
Reuters
Iraqi police have said they did not arrest Berg.
Bloomberg
The US says they did not detain Berg but that Iraqi police did.
Washington Post
Moore is an unscrupulous, media savvy enemy of the Bush administration. During the runup to a critical election he is capable of anything, including exploiting the beheading of Nick Berg, possibly even with the blessing of the Berg family. He may simply be baiting the FBI, hoping they try to interview him so he then can cry "HARASSMENT," play the victim and point to the Patriot Act as an un-American anti-freedom instrument in the hands of Der Fuhrer George W. Bush and his henchman John Ashcroft.
If that is the case, then of course the best way to handle the situation is to ignore him.
Like I say, some of the speculation on the thread is intriguing, but it's prudent to consider the possibility that Moore purposely set a hidden agenda in motion the moment Salon published this story.
This reply by NB appears to be the best time line that I have seen with documentation of each event in the time line.
" Never Moore quoth the raven-Never Moore!"
Thank you, Nunya. I'm going to put that in my page thing now.
all the companies had to register with the CPA....hence freelancers are suspect...
Excellent find!
Let's remember these dates:
2004
Jan. 4-8: Red Cross reports improvements at Abu Ghraib.
Jan. 13: Army Spc. Joseph M. Darby, an MP with the 800th at Abu Ghraib, leaves a disc with photographs of prisoner abuse on the bed of a military investigator.
Jan. 14: Army launches criminal investigation of Abu Ghraib abuses.
Jan. 14-15: Gen. John Abizaid, chief of Central Command, tells Gen. Richard Meyers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, of the investigation and says it is a 'big deal'.
Jan. 16: Central Command issues one-paragraph news release announcing investigation of "incidents of detainee abuse" at unspecified U.S. prison in Iraq.
Good job of moderating and steering this thread.
Before I leave for awhile, I will repost this statement of Nick Berg's dad to stir things up:
Berg's Dad saying al Qaeda killed their best friend
http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/05/13/iraq.berg/
"Berg's father said Thursday his son was someone who simply wanted to "help people, not to hurt anyone." "He was not disrespectful of danger, he just didn't recognize danger in people," Michael Berg said. "The al Qaeda that killed my son didn't know what they were doing. They killed their best friend. Nick was there to build Iraq, not to tear it down."
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