Posted on 04/27/2003 5:34:27 AM PDT by longjack
As I browsed the German Media this AM I noticed this article on the lead page of "Spiegel-Online" site. I find this to be a fairly typical article of Iraq war and peace effort coverage in Germany. Basically, then, this is what the Germans are hearing.
Below, there is a link to the photos in the Norway paper, and a similiar article in Boston.com.
PRISONERS IN IRAQ
Naked through the park
Amnesty International is showing concern over possible mistreatment of Iraqis by U.S. soldiers. "Degrading treatment is a clear violation of the responsibilities of the occupying powers", explained the human right organization.
London -- A report in the Norwegian newspaper "Dagbladet" said four Iraqis entering a park in Baghdad had been instructed by U.S. soldiers to take off their clothes. The men then had been led naked through the park and hustled onto a street. The newspaper published three photos which purportedly show the incident.
The U.S. Central Command explained that the report is being checked out. Navy Lieutenant commander Charles Owens said that if the report were to be true, the soldiers would be punished. An exhibition of prisoners violates the Geneva conventions. Amnesty International in London explained that if the photos should be correct, this would be an appalling way to treat prisoners. "Such degrading treatment is a clear violation of the responsibilities of the occupying powers", explained the human right organization.
In one of the photos A man can be seen with the words "Ali Baba -- Thief" in Arabic on his chest. Another picture shows three naked men in the park behind whom soldiers are walking. Their uniforms are not clearly recognized.
"Spiegel"..Nackt durch den Park
longjack
I wonder if Amnesty International could hire the former human shields to pat down suspects? There are an estimated 800 explosive vests missing, so they would need about 1600 activists (assuming the 'buddy' system is applied).
longjack
What a piece of sh*t article.
Now what was Amnesty International up set about?
Let me buy a clue for this newspaper (I did an interview for them once by the way).
1. Ali Baba is slang for thief in the Arab World
2. US soldiers would not have written that on his chest--in Arabic! for crying out loud
3. Stripping thieves naked is an age-old practice (BY ARABS!) used to shame thieves
The 'rest of the story', isn't often reported on the sites I monitor. To me, the Germans (in this case) are fed a steady diet of the type of BS evident in the "Spiegel" article. Their are no 'contingencies' supplied.
In this case, I thought immediately that the suspects were made to undress in order to make sure their were explosive vests or hidden weapons. I'm not sure the native language readers of that article would also have those thoughts.
As far as Amnesty International is concerned, 'hypocritical' is the most flattering adjective I can think of to describe their organization.
longjack
Which one did you do an interview for?
longjack
longjack
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