Soldier's Family Set in Motion Chain of Events on Disclosure [Hackworth involved in CBS photos]

NY Times ^ | 5/8/04 | James Dao and Eric Lichtblau

[saquin]

CUMBERLAND, Md., May 7 — Ivan Frederick was distraught. His son, an Army reservist turned prison guard in Iraq, was under investigation earlier this year for mistreating prisoners, and photographs of the abuse were beginning to circulate among soldiers and military investigators.

So the father went to his brother-in-law, William Lawson, who was afraid that reservists like his nephew would end up taking the fall for what he considered command lapses, Mr. Lawson recounted in an interview on Friday. He knew whom to turn to: David Hackworth, a retired colonel and a muckraker who was always willing to take on the military establishment. Mr. Lawson sent an e-mail message in March to Mr. Hackworth's Web site and got a call back from an associate there in minutes, he said.

That e-mail message would put Mr. Lawson in touch with the CBS News program "60 Minutes II" and help set in motion events that led to the public disclosure of the graphic photographs and an international crisis for the Bush administration.

It is still not entirely clear who leaked the photos and how they got into the hands of a "60 Minutes II" producer. What is clear, however, is that the furor over the photos is unlikely to dissipate any time soon.

And it may only get worse.

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld disclosed Friday that there were "many more photos" and videos of abuse that have not yet become public. And he acknowledged in Senate testimony that the military might have mishandled the affair by not alerting members of Congress and the public to the growing seriousness of the military's investigation into the abuses before the images became public on "60 Minutes II."

"I wish I had been able to convey to them the gravity of this before we saw it in the media," Mr. Rumsfeld said.

The irony, Mr. Lawson said, is that the public spectacle might have been avoided if the military and the federal government had been responsive to his claims that his nephew was simply following orders. Mr. Lawson said he sent letters to 17 members of Congress about the case earlier this year, with virtually no response, and that he ultimately contacted Mr. Hackworth's Web site out of frustration, leading him to cooperate with a consultant for "60 Minutes II."

"The Army had the opportunity for this not to come out, not to be on 60 Minutes," he said. "But the Army decided to prosecute those six G.I.'s because they thought me and my family were a bunch of poor, dirt people who could not do anything about it. But unfortunately, that was not the case."

Many of the incriminating photographs appear to have been taken on a digital camera by a soldier in the 372nd Military Police Company who is now facing a court-martial. From there, they appear to have circulated among military personnel in Iraq via e-mail and computer disks, and some may have found their way to family members in the United States.

But there are still numerous unresolved questions about the photographs. One is why they were taken. Some officials suggest that soldiers wanted the photographs as souvenirs, but some relatives said they believed that the photographs were going to be shown to other prisoners to pressure their cooperation.

Then there is the question of how the photographs became public.

Lt. Gen. Lance Smith, deputy commander of forces in the region, testifying Friday before Congress, said he was still unclear how that happened. "It was a surprise that it got out," General Smith said.

Military officials were aware of two disks with photographs on them that were part of continuing investigations, one in Iraq and another in Washington, he said.

"That was the limit of the pictures, and we thought we had them all," General Smith said.

Producers at "60 Minutes II" are not saying exactly how they got the photographs. But Jeff Fager, the executive producer, said, "We heard about someone who was outraged about it and thought that the public should know about it."

Digital cameras have become so ubiquitous in the military that many relatives of personnel in the 372nd and other units in Iraq said they routinely received photographs by e-mail. But the photographs were usually tourist-type photographs of smiling sons and daughters, relatives said.

Officials said that the photographs showing psychological or physical abuse numbered in the hundreds, perhaps more than 1,000, with Mr. Rumsfeld hinting Friday that more may come out.

Among some prison personnel in Iraq, the photographs were apparently an open secret. "Some soldiers in Iraq had them — I'm hearing that soldiers were showing them to everybody," Mr. Lawson said. He said he did not have the original photos and did not turn them over to anyone.

The photographs have now turned soldiers like Mr. Lawson's nephew, Staff Sgt. Ivan Frederick, and Pfc. Lynndie R. England into graphic symbols of military abuse. But for Mr. Lawson, they are evidence of a complete breakdown in training and authority in the Iraqi prison system.

He shared his frustration in his March 23 e-mail message to Mr. Hackworth's Web site, writing: "We have contacted the Red Cross, Congress both parties, Bill O'Reilly and many others. Nobody wants to touch this."

Less than five weeks later, images of his nephew — interviewed on "60 Minutes II" with Mr. Lawson's help — would be shown around the world. Far from untouchable, the story would become unavoidable.

[Anti-Bubba182]

Thanks. What I get from that is that the company is conducting an internal investigation that they began recently. I am waiting for specific testimony or statements from the contractors and Military Intellegence and others in the Taguba Report.

I have heard along the way that Sleep deprivation was commonly used among other techniques. I found an older article that contains some info:

Amnesty Criticizes US Interrogations

June 30, 2003

"..An Iraqi businessman detained during a raid on his home says U.S. interrogators deprived him of sleep, forced him to kneel naked and kept him bound hand and foot with a bag over his head for eight days..." < Snip>

"..The U.S. military said it could not comment on the raid or its methods of interrogation, saying only that its soldiers adhere to the rule of law. Military and intelligence officials have said sleep deprivation, shackling prisoners in uncomfortable positions and noise abuse are considered legal methods..."

The photos and accusations go farther and I am wondering if they are embellishments thought up by the soldiers themselves over and above the usual, harsh but legal techniques.

[DugwayDuke]

Hackworth writes a daily column on World Net Daily appearing on tuesdays. You can send Hack an email using the link on the commentary page. You can also send Joe Farah, who runs WND, an email from that page too. May I suggest that those who are outraged by this use these links to light hackworth up?

[Robert Drobot]

....a complete breakdown in training and authority in the Iraqi prison system.

This comment in the article is way off base. It should read, "....a complete breakdown in American military training and authority within the POW camps in Iraq."

Further, IMO most reservists are a nothing more than 'free money' public educational system leaches. They could care less about chain of command and following orders. It's little wonder the Iraq POW camps make M*A*S*H look hardcore.

IMO Reservists are only capable of doing MP/crowd control work in Iraq ( if that), and I question the intensity of the training devoted to this kind of duty - prior to their assignment.

It seems the Pentagon is dependent upon real soldiers ( Marines, Rangers and Seals) to do the real fighting. Little wonder there's a shortage. Reservists are a military embarrassment equivalent to keystone cops. A waste of taxpayer money. The female running the camp( what a total jerk ) where the initial photos were taken is another example of rank reservist rank. IF she's regular Army Congress had better start taking a more than perfunctory look at who they're promoting!!!

The fact that our military may be full of her rank incompetence is not the President's doing. He's only working with what Congress gives him.

This idiot female reservist, England, forewarned her family in February that the sh!t was going to hit the fan. Plenty of time for the military to kick ass and clean house between then and now. Face it. IF the troopers knew it was going to hit the fan, the brass (more like paper tigers) also knew about cameras taken into the camps.

Because they don't have a clue about the rampant undisciplined reservists in Iraq - doing a payback for not being able to go home to mommy - the President was forced to publicly apologize to the enemy for 'abusing' their men. The whole thing sucks.

Can it get any worst? What's it going to take to wake up this leaderless country - following the lead of a presidential political hack, intent on making the President look more pc than that traitor Kerry.

If they had any testosterone in their veins, the people we depend on to command our military would relegate the military reserve to state assignments, after a return to the draft is re-instituted by Congress and signed into law by President Bush.

Each and every adult American should know how to disassemble, assemble and accurately fire weapons. The voluntary enlistment idea has been reduced to currying favor to the lowest common denominator. Women. Their presence has created an Army and Navy that is so tied up in making way for the weaker sex that they've lost sight about their first priority - the ability to kill and be stronger than any enemy anywhere.

Getting a Purple Heart for a Band-Aid scratch is the kind of military I want our enemies to have.

[Miss Marple]

It seems to me that there are some unanswered questions about these photos as well. Are some of these photos the types of things that circulate in certain unsavory sections of the gay community? Was someone taking pictures to sell them? Or, was there someone in MI who was encouraging this behavior for the purpose of having pictures leaked later?

The pictures are not those of someone who is trying to document abuses. They are posed.

I just have a LOT of questions and I don't think we yet know a tenth of the intrigue involved in this.

[TexKat]

82nd Airborne Division Commanding General's Briefing from Iraq

Q: James Hider (sp) from The Times. General, what lessons have been learned from the attack last month on the ICDC position in Fallujah? Because in many ways that was one of the testing points for the new security forces and they didn't do particularly well. What lessons have you drawn from that experience?

Swannack: Okay, on the 14th of February there was an attack on both the police station and also the ICDC headquarters in Fallujah. Now, it is very tragic that about 15 police and several civilians were killed. But on the positive note, what was learned from that is the dedication of Iraqis to fight for their freedom. Specifically, the ICDC battalion there in Fallujah requested no assistance from coalition forces, other than additional ammunition and some heavy weapons, which we've provided them. They attacked -- counterattacked, actually, after securing their own base camp, counterattacked a couple of blocks away and re-secured the police station, killing nine enemy and driving off the rest.

And so what has come of this, I believe, is a sea change for Fallujah. That's when the 20 Imams issued the fatwa not to go ahead and have Iraqi-on-Iraqi violence. The community has come together to deter any violence, Iraqi on Iraqi. The council is working together better now for the future of Fallujah. And I'm very proud of the security forces in Fallujah.

The town also held a memorial ceremony for those fallen security forces and issued valorous awards and payments to the police who were wounded -- in ICDC who were wounded. So it's tragic that they had the deaths, but I believe it's a very positive step forward for Fallujah. And since that time there has been almost negligible anti-coalition or anti-Iraqi attacks.

[DugwayDuke]

"Further, IMO most reservists are a nothing more than 'free money' public educational system leaches. They could care less about chain of command and following orders. It's little wonder the Iraq POW camps make M*A*S*H look hardcore."

And, IMHO, you owe each and every reserve component soldier, sailor, and airman a complete and abject apology. These service members risk their lives on a daily basis to defend your freedoms and they deserve far more respect than this. Many have died, you owe them an apology.

[longjack]

You would take the photos if your intent was to distribute them on a gay porn website somewhere...

Below is a link to a graphic photo that Germany's "Spiegel" ran a few days ago. The picture below is the ubiquitous Lynndie English photo, but the link on that picture will bring you to a photo essay that contains a very graphic picture of prisoners, which I haven't seen on FR yet.

... Iraqis were forced to perform sexual acts....

Click on the picture above. Graphic Content.

"Spiegel-Online".... Photo Essay from May 6, 2004. Picture 5.... Iraqis were forced to perform sexual acts....Click on the picture above..

.... Also: Here's a picture of Ivan Frederick that "Spiegel" ran.

"Spiegel-Online".... Ivan Frederick: Only a few weeks away from an Army pension.

longjack

[.30Carbine]

And who were the Congress persons Mr. Lawson contacted?
What did they know and when did they know it and why did THEY keep silent?

[mystery-ak]

You do a great disservice to all of our Guardsmen and Reservist by posting that diatribe of yours.

[Major_Risktaker]

Admiral Jeremy Borda didn't kill himself over a Ranger Tab. That was the cover story.

[Major_Risktaker]

Great Point.

[Peach]

That "just following orders" excuse was tried in WWII. All soldiers, including reservists, are taught the covenents of the Geneva Convention.

Hackworth is a loose cannon.

[Robert Drobot]

Don't hold your breath on that one pal.

[Robert Drobot]

Admiral Jeremy Borda didn't kill himself over a Ranger Tab. That was the cover story.

Says who, besides you.

[Robert Drobot]

That "just following orders" excuse was tried in WWII. All soldiers, including reservists, are taught the [covenants] of the Geneva Convention.

The Iraq POW idioticy tells me the reservists in question missed the Geneva Convention class.

[leadpenny]

Thanks. Good explanation.

[Robert Drobot]

The Iraq POW [idiotocy] tells me the reservists in question missed the Geneva Convention class.

[Semper Paratus]

Has 'Hack' an opinion on Kerry's Vietnam record?

[leadpenny]

You're right. He killed himself over two "V" devices he was not authorized to wear. The Ranger Tab reference was about what Hackworth was displaying on his web page. Hackworth also claimed he had a DFC or two he had not earned.

[Peach]

It would be interesting to know whether Hack has an opinion on Kerry and to find out whether he's a supporter.

Good question, SP.