Posted on 05/29/2004 9:13:24 AM PDT by Dane
Posted on Sat, May. 29, 2004
Berg talks of Iraq's business potential on Michael Moore footage
JASON STRAZIUSO
Associated Press
In a 16-minute interview shot for Michael Moore's latest film, slain American Nicholas Berg talks about his travels to Africa and the work he hoped to find as an independent businessman in Iraq, Berg's brother said Saturday.
Moore's crew shot the footage at an Iraqi business conference in Arlington, Va., on Dec. 4, David Berg said. Nicholas Berg's decapitated body was found in Baghdad on May 8, and a video of his killing was posted on an Islamic militant Web site several days later.
Moore on Thursday confirmed he had footage of Berg - shot for the anti-President Bush film "Fahrenheit 9/11" - but said he would share it only with the family. Nicholas Berg's brother and sister praised Moore for that, and said they would also keep the footage private.
David Berg said it was "weird seeing Nick talk," but described the interview footage as dry. He said the first thing he noticed was that his younger brother - who was most comfortable in casual clothes - wore a suit.
"It's one of the few times I've seen him dressed up, and he looked really good," David Berg said.
The interview, which was not conducted by Moore, centered on the technical work Berg hoped to find repairing radio towers on behalf of his company, Prometheus Methods Tower Service. Berg, 26 when he died, also talks about humanitarian work he did in Uganda and Kenya.
"Nick seemed to be fairly conscious of using this thing to promote his business," David Berg said. "(The interviewer) does ask him at one point about the money and he said no one's denying there's money to be made. But it's very clear when you watch it, Nick knew he wasn't going to make a lot of money."
Moore said he had considered using some of the footage in his film but that it got edited out, David Berg said. Aware of the footage they had, some of Moore's staffers cried when they heard about Berg's death, the filmmaker told David Berg.
Moore sent copies of the footage to David Berg in New Jersey and sister Sara Berg in Virginia. Their parents will see the video after returning to their suburban Philadelphia home from vacation, David Berg said.
"Fahrenheit 9/11," which recently won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival, accuses the Bush administration of stealing the 2000 election, overlooking terrorism warnings before Sept. 11, 2001, and fanning fears of more attacks to secure American support for the Iraq war.
Given Moore's political leanings, David Berg said he was "really nervous" about what the footage of his brother might show. Nicholas Berg was in favor of bringing democracy to the Middle East, his family has said, but David Berg said his brother wasn't overtly political.
"He went to Iraq because he had certain beliefs about helping people in messed up situations, but it's not like he was trying to help the Bush administration," David Berg said.
David Berg said Moore has handled the situation with "dignity, respect and discipline."
"Michael Moore has really been a total class act with this whole thing," David Berg said. "He could have sold this to the media or stuck it in his movie."
I recall reading this on FR in the beginning. Here's a google search result that mentions Michael as Nick's business manager. Also, mentions Free Republic.
http://yementimes.com/article.shtml?i=742&p=opinion&a=2
From the link:
"Prometheus Methods Tower Service was the independent communications company owned by Nick Berg. Michael Berg was his son’s business manager."
I hit the jackpot and found several, more credible sources.
Parents agonize over their son missing in Iraq
Kansas City Star (subscription), MO - May 9, 2004
... He usually called home once a day and e-mailed several times; Michael Berg is his business manager, and they needed to stay in touch. ...
Parents agonize over their son missing in Iraq
Macon Telegraph, GA - May 9, 2004
... He usually called home once a day and e-mailed several times; Michael Berg is his business manager, and they needed to stay in touch. ...
Parents agonize over their son missing in Iraq
San Luis Obispo Tribune, CA - May 9, 2004
... He usually called home once a day and e-mailed several times; Michael Berg is his business manager, and they needed to stay in touch. ...
Parents agonize over their son missing in Iraq
Grand Forks Herald, ND - May 9, 2004
... He usually called home once a day and e-mailed several times; Michael Berg is his business manager, and they needed to stay in touch. ...
Parents agonize over their son missing in Iraq
Bradenton Herald, FL - May 9, 2004
... He usually called home once a day and e-mailed several times; Michael Berg is his business manager, and they needed to stay in touch. ...
Thanks.
Makes me feel better not to have to rely on the Yemen Times for my news. :)
Do you know if there's any truth to the Hollinger "employee" going on vacation with the parents?
Thanks.
Sorry, no knowledge of that.
Very good!But i'd prefer to see that fat pig be-headed!
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