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.

[hattend]

bttt

[mass55th]

"You're one sick b@st@rd for even suggesting such inhumane treatment of POW's!!!!"

You're right. What could I have been thinking????

[TexKat]

See Post #716. What were they thinking?

[Laverne]

You are correct TexKat....I didn't mean to imply you said that; I simply expressed my opinion that I didn't think he would get caught up in it.

[Mo1]

Who are the "POWS" in the pictures? Could they not be POWs?

When I first say the photo's I had that question because some of the men seemed to have fair skin

But the investigation report states there was abuse going on with the prisoners

[Mo1]

say = saw

[subedei]

"LOL, you ramble on so much who can even figure out what you're saying.

I've already told you, this was not RIGHT, this was a totally immoral move. Releasing the pictures would have been acceptable if all attempts to get the military to investigate had been exhausted. That was not the case. The investigations started the day after the report, the media was notified, two and a half months later reports were delivered exposing the entire brigade weakness and another investigation into the contractors had already started. So what was onorable about releasing the pictures unless it was to demoralize our military (BTW, just talk to some of them, they are furious) and to give aid and comfort to our enemies?

Sadar and his thugs are already offering rewards for capturing military people alive (can you guess why?) and openly saying any woman military personnel can be kept for sex slaves. Nice work that one, don't you think?

The other thing these mental midgets who released the pictures didn't count on is the revenge factor in the Arab world. All the people involved in this, all six of the people involved, will be targets. There will be jihadis out there who will devote their lives to hunting them down and getting revenge. Another nice little piece of work, don't you think?"


I ramble on so much? What, are you unable to follow a simple logical train of thought?... Everything I said was clear and to the point, this comment is just another straw man of yours to sidestep the points and questions I brought up.

So you say that it wasn't "right", that is was a "totally immoral move", amazing... Murder, rape, torture, abuse (sexual and otherwise), things that violate basic human rights, our laws, and any sense of common decency. They degraded their country, the flag, their uniform and fellow soldiers and the people who died. But... Somehow this merits only comments like how it "was not RIGHT", and that it was a "totally immoral move" while you reserve any real condemnation or vicious comments and personal attacks for Hackworth who released information to the public. Why do I have to keep repeating this? Are you unable to follow your own statements to their logical conclusion??? You maliciously attack Hackworth for doing nothing but releasing very pertinent information while making comments about the actual abusers which are, to say the least, slight in comparison. This is illogical and moronic.

"So what was honorable about releasing the pictures unless it was to demoralize our military (BTW, just talk to some of them, they are furious) and to give aid and comfort to our enemies?". To call this assumptive would be an understatement. You have no proof that Hackworth released the pictures to specifically "demoralize our military" or to "give aid and comfort to our enemies", you just assume he did. WHAT EVIDENCE IS THIS BASED ON EXACTLY? Your assumption is fallacious, malicious and stunningly unintelligent.

Who cares about the revenge factor. Exactly what will be the difference between those we are fighting now and those who are supposedly going to take revenge? And am I supposed to weep for those who committed actual criminal acts? They made their own beds, they can lay in them. Amazing, you have sympathy for those involved but not the least bit for Hackworth. Talk about confused priorities...

"Oh, BTW, as to the actions of the perps that has been discussed at lengths on other threads. Do try to keep topic specific, won't you?". um no, I will continue to mention them because they are the friggin point of this thread and story. Could you be anymore obvious in your attempts to sidestep questions and statements posed to you?

As I said before, "If you sidestep or ignore my comments again I can only assume that it is due to intellectual cowardice or just plain laziness on your part."....

[TexKat]

Rumsfeld Testifies Before House Armed Services Committee Text Transcript

Rumsfeld Speaks Before Senate Armed Services Committee on Abuse in Iraqi Prison Text Transcript

[boxerblues]

The 17 senators that were mailed need to be questioned and now. What did they now and when. Hillary may have sunk herself when she made her remark about the report being well known, much to Rumsfelds surprise. I wonder if she was one who got the letter.

[McGavin999]

OK, although you write like a 10 year old with logic that wanders all over the place I will attempt to put this into words even you might be able to understand.

So you say that it wasn't "right", that is was a "totally immoral move", amazing... Murder, rape, torture, abuse (sexual and otherwise), things that violate basic human rights, our laws, and any sense of common decency. They degraded their country, the flag, their uniform and fellow soldiers and the people who died. But... Somehow this merits only comments like how it "was not RIGHT", and that it was a "totally immoral move" while you reserve any real condemnation or vicious comments and personal attacks for Hackworth who released information to the public.

You haven't been paying attention (ADD?) I think what these people did was totally immoral and they should, and will, be brought to justice. That is a part of what Hackworth, if he's a part of this has endangered.

Why do I have to keep repeating this? Are you unable to follow your own statements to their logical conclusion??? You maliciously attack Hackworth for doing nothing but releasing very pertinent information while making comments about the actual abusers which are, to say the least, slight in comparison. This is illogical and moronic.

I attack Hackworth because he had to know that an investigation was already going on. As a matter of fact, the report was put out with stunning speed considering the way the legal system works. You only release photos if the military was refusing to acknowledge there was a problem. They obviously took the problem very seriously. People all the way up the line to BG Karpinski had already been removed from duty and the army was in the process of gathering evidence for further prosecution. WHY then would anyone release the photos? The ONLY thing to be accomplished by doing that was sully our military, hopefully cause a retreat in front of our enemy, and to destroy America's reputation.

Got it?

[FreeReign]

Who cares about the revenge factor. Exactly what will be the difference between those we are fighting now and those who are supposedly going to take revenge? And am I supposed to weep for those who committed actual criminal acts?

Can you clarify this statement please? What revenge factor don't you care about?

[McGavin999]

BTW, if you read the article you'd find that Hackworth had these photos released at the request of the uncle of one of the perps. So HACKWORTH was defending these creeps, not me.

[easonc52]

What interests me the most is who the commander/staff member of a sitting member of Congress is (as well which member that is), that Curt Weldon (R-PA) was talking about:

I would also ask you to look into a platoon leader that evidently was aware of these actions and a commander who has been transferred, but I understand not yet reprimanded or had charges brought, who is a staff member to a sitting member of Congress, to see whether or not there was any special treatment granted.

[stands2reason]

Did you see his thread which he repeatedly spammed? His own thread?

Sad, really.

[FreeReign]

[Texkat]:"It was a caller into C-Span Washington Journal that was complaining about the decision to hire contractors to do interrogation work, but the callers complaint was that these people are not properly screened and could possibly belong to a terrorist group."

[monkeywrench]:Like the dnc.

LOL!

[weegee]

Media Schadenfreude and and Media Shenanigans PING

[billbears]

He just endangered every one of those kids in that theater. He also endangered this country by putting those pictures into the hands of the media.

Please explain in some semblance of reason how presenting photos of these actual events 'endangers every one of those kids' or 'endangered this country'. I really don't understand how 'conservatives' condone this action and heap hatred upon the person delivering the photos. It's not like he committed the crime.

[Peach]

Good memory; I'd forgotten how Ellen hoped the war would be lost because that would benefit Democrats.

Can you imagine a news person saying such a thing in WWII? It's unimaginable.

[WestCoastGal]

"The ONLY thing to be accomplished by doing that was sully our military, hopefully cause a retreat in front of our enemy, and to destroy America's reputation."

I agree, it still looks like a staged event to me, someone made this happen to either get us out of the ME or get Bush out of office. Either AQ or HC.

[easonc52]

Please explain in some semblance of reason how presenting photos of these actual events 'endangers every one of those kids' or 'endangered this country'.

Well, it seems like all the Senators, House Representatives, and the enlisted sitting at the table with Rumsfeld think it does.