Female GI In Abuse Photos Talks

CBSNEWS ^ | 5/12/04 | CBSNEWS.com

[NYC Republican]

Army Pfc. Lynndie England, seen worldwide in photographs that show her smiling and pointing at naked Iraqi prisoners, said she was ordered to pose for the photos, and felt "kind of weird" in doing so.

In an exclusive interview with Brian Maass of Denver CBS station KCNC-TV, England also confirmed that abuses worse than those depicted in the photos were carried out at the U.S.-run Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad, but she declined to discuss them.

England, 21, repeatedly insisted that her actions were dictated by "persons in my higher chain of command."

In the photos, England is seen smiling, cigarette in her mouth, as she leans forward and points at the genitals of a naked, hooded Iraqis. Another photo taken at Abu Ghraib shows her holding a leash that encircles the neck of a naked Iraqi man lying on his side.

"I was instructed by persons in higher rank to stand there and hold this leash and look at the camera," she said.

England said the actions depicted in the photos were intended to put psychological pressure on the Iraqi prisoners.

"Well, I mean, they [the photos] were for psy-op reasons," she said "And the reasons worked. I mean, so to us, we were doing our job, which meant we were doing what we were told, and the outcome was what they wanted. They'd come back and they'd look at the pictures, and they'd state, 'Oh, that's a good tactic, keep it up. That's working. This is working. Keep doing it. It's getting what we need.'"

England, an Army reservist from West Virginia who is four months pregnant, is now stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. The interview was taped Tuesday at Fort Bragg.

England is among seven soldiers from the 372nd Military Police Company who face charges for allegedly degrading and humiliating Iraqi prisoners. One soldier, Spc. Jeremy C. Sivits of Hyndman, Pa., will face a court-martial in Baghdad next week.

"To all of us who have been charged, we all agree that we don't feel like we were doing things that we weren't supposed to, because we were told to do them. We think everything was justified, because we were instructed to do this and to do that," England said.

She told KCNC she was looking forward to having her baby and hopefully one day putting the abuse scandal behind her.

[Bernard]

I would hope that the truth will come out during the court-martial. Trying this case in the media is a mistake for everyone involved.

[NYC Republican]

I don't fool... It's what her and her team did, so if the shoe, or the tool fits...

[NYC Republican]

Do what you want, but I wouldn't post if I didn't have time to do it properly, and don't expect a pass if you post an opinion without giving reasons for it. It is like tattooing "IDIOT" on your forehead

Once again, Monday, you're making an ass out of yourself... You should quit while you're behind.

[NYC Republican]

Hey little dude you have issues. Do you hate your mother?

What the hell gives you the right to personally attack me? You don't know me, you certainly didn't know my mother. What the hell is your problem?

[NYC Republican]

You opened with this salvo...

And you know this HOW? Were you there? If you have evidence to back up your claim lets hear it. If not, STFU!

Then, you continued with the nastiness, both to me directly, and others as well

Do what you want, but I wouldn't post if I didn't have time to do it properly, and don't expect a pass if you post an opinion without giving reasons for it. It is like tattooing "IDIOT" on your forehead.

WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TO TELL ME STFU? Who the hell are you to tell me how I should post, that explanations are always needed or I'm an idiot?... Get off your high horse.

Looking at your posts lately, you come across as a crabby, grumpy old lady. Quit posting to me already.

[rbmillerjr]

"She's a disgusting trash skank, who f***** around, got pregnant, shouldn't have been there, and now is trying to cover her ass... This slut disgraced our good soldiers, and if it was up to me, I'd have someone shove one of those things up her but, that dirty disgusting skank"

YOUR POST SPEAKS FOR ITSELF...and you are saying I'm attacking you?

If you can't take it, don't dish it out. What gives you the right to degrade a member of the US military for crimes she hasn't been convicted of yet...you state you wished the disgusting skank was anally raped - you have some friggin nerve.

[NYC Republican]

Exactly. She's already blamed President Bush, now she's blaming her superiors... It's a slam dunk, IMO. Name names, or admit guilt.

[FreedomCalls]

Remember, Lt. Calley of the Vietnam massacres had civilian counsel on his team.

F. Lee Bailey was Lt Calley's attorney if I remember correctly.

[snooker]

I bet the MPs are thinking, gee if we had only used a cigar, then things would be fine.

[NYC Republican]

I said nothing to you, so I'd urge you to quit personal attacks against me, now.

[RetiredArmy]

Thank you.

[NYC Republican]

I would hope that the truth will come out during the court-martial. Trying this case in the media is a mistake for everyone involved.

Her lawyer just said, on Hannity's radio show, that there were so many officers there, that she doesn't know the names of the officers that "forced" her to do what/where/when. Like I said, she is a BALD FACED-LIAR... Just like Scott Peterson is guilty as sin (no I wasn't there, didn't have to be there), I feel this is a LIAR.

[rbmillerjr]

"I said nothing to you, so I'd urge you to quit personal attacks against me, now."

---

I have never personally attacked you, I asked you a rhetorical question, "Do you hate your mother?".......I did that due to your post stating that you would anally rape Miss England....I think you have serious issues.

Now, I will request that you don't freepmail me. If you respond with more lies I will respond in kind. In the real world you don't get to say sick things and go unchallenged.

I will not be addressing you any longer. But if you continue I will respond, that's the way it works.

[Politicalmom]

And did these "superiors" order her to have sex with numerous
different soldiers in front of prisoners while being photographed?

[NYC Republican]

Exactly

[monday]

"Looking at your posts lately, you come across as a crabby, grumpy old lady."

Funny. Thats exactly how I pictured you after reading your first post. You have been nothing but nasty from your first post on. You shouldn't expect people to be nice to you if you aren't nice yourself. If you want a grumpy old lady go back and read your own posts, or better yet, look in the mirror.

[NYC Republican]

yawn... yawn...