A RECKLESS CHARGE AGAINST THE MILITARY...IN AN UNEXPECTED PLACE
By malkin
CNN's Eason Jordan. Newsweek. Linda Foley. One of this blog's big themes has been challenging reckless anti-military bias by the MSM, wherever it rears its ugly head. Last night, disappointingly, that place was Fox News Channel (for which I serve as a contributor).
Jim Hoft at Gateway Pundit first tipped me off to the claim by Washington Post reporter/FNC contributor Ceci Connolly on my favorite newscast last night about the number of homicides of prisoners at the hands of the U.S. military. I watched the rerun of Brit Hume's show and saw it for myself.
You can see the exchange at Jackson's Junction (link below).
Key transcript excerpt:
<<<
Connolly: I do think though that one of the problems for the United States is that there have been instances of prisoner abuse. And there have been instances that are our own Pentagon and our own FBI have documented in their investigations and reports. At Abu Ghraib. In Afghanistan. There have been many homicides of prisoners.
Brit Hume: How many?
Connolly: I believe close to 100.
Hume: A hundred murders?
Connolly: Homicides around the world. In Afghanistan. In Iraq. That have come through Pentagon investigations.
>>>
Connolly is off base, way off base.
I called Connolly this morning at the Washington Post, informed her that her comments have sparked controversy in the blogosphere, and asked her to explain. She promptly e-mailed me seven newspaper articles along with the following note:
<<<
I tried to go into Nexis and send some clips to you. My apologies if I've flooded your inbox. I believe on the program last night I used a qualifier such as about or estimated or as many as. We know more than 100 deaths of detainees have been investigated. Not that many have been ruled homicides to date. My larger point however was that the United States has committed serious violations with respect to prisoner abuse (Abu Ghraib, Camp Bucca, Baghram) and that those episode hurt the nation's credibility.
>>>
I appreciate her quick reply. Unfortunately, none of the seven articles she sent provide any substantiation for her "close to 100 homicides" allegation. Two of the articles are irrelevant and two flatly contradict her claim:
- The first article (David Cloud, "Seal Officer Hears Charges in Court-Martial in Iraqi's Death," New York Times, May 25, 2005, p. A8) and second article (Douglas Jehl, "Inmates Were Reportedly Kept Off Books to Speed Transfer," New York Times, October 9, 2004, p. A6) refer to a Navy Seal lieutenant who allegedly joined his men in striking and killing an Iraqi detainee at Abu Ghraib prison. The lieutenant is charged with dereliction of duty, assault and battery, making false statements to investigators, and conduct unbecoming an officer. He is not charged with murder. The articles contain no quantitative information on the number of detainees murdered by U.S. troops.
- The third article (Eric Schmitt and Douglas Jehl, "Army Says CIA Hid More Iraqis Than it Claimed," New York Times, September 10, 2004, p. A1) and fourth article (Eric Schmitt and Thom Shanker, "Rumsfeld Issued an Order to Hide Detainee in Iraq," New York Times, June 17, 2004, p. A1) say the military failed to account for certain "ghost detainees.” Neither article cites any instances of physical abuse. Neither article cites any quantitative information on the number of detainees murdered by U.S. troops.
- The fifth article (Robert Burns, Associated Press, "Army Investigators Says (sic) 27 Iraqis and Afghans Killed in U.S. Custody," March 25, 2005) and sixth article (Douglas Jehl and Eric Schmitt, "U.S. Military Says 26 Inmate Deaths May Be Homicide," New York Times, March 16, 2005, p. A1) state that 26 or 27 prisoners died as a result of "homicide or suspected homicide.” This flatly contradicts what Connolly said last night.
- The seventh article (John Lumpkin, "More than 100 have died in U.S. custody in Iraq, Afghan wars; more than one-fourth checked for abuse," Associated Press, March 16, 2005) is a longer version of this article. As the article makes clear in the very first paragraph, only about a quarter of the cases have been investigated as involving possible abuse by U.S. troops. The 108 deaths encompass all detainee deaths, including those attributed to natural causes and accidents.
This article, which Connolly did not send, provides further details about the detainees who died while in U.S. custody. Among the deaths listed,
- 29 were attributed to natural causes or accidents;
- 18 were deemed "justified homicide" or "suspected justified homicide;”
- only 23 were being "investigated as involving criminal homicide or abuse by U.S. personnel."
Among those 23, just 3 were explicitly attributed to murder, with the rest still under investigation or involving lesser charges such as derilection of duty, maltreatment, and involuntary manslaughter. (By the way, the U.S. Army, Navy, and other government agencies were able to provide this information to the ACLU because, unlike the ACLU, ahem, they did not shred these sensitive records.)
It is possible that additional U.S. military personnel have been charged with murder since the AP article was published, but 3 is a long, long way from "almost 100."
<<<
Prisoner Deaths in U.S. Custody
By The Associated Press
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
(03-16) 11:30 PST , (AP) --
Using information provided by the military and documents obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union, The Associated Press compiled a partial list of people who have died while in U.S. custody in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Prisoner deaths investigated as involving criminal homicide or abuse by U.S. personnel:
_Mohammed Sayari, Afghanistan, April 28, 2002. Army Special Forces captain reprimanded.
_Mullah Habibullah, about 28, Bagram, Afghanistan, Dec. 3, 2002. Sgt. James P. Boland, 377th Military Police Company, charged with dereliction of duty; more charges possible against others.
_Dilawar, 22, Bagram, Dec. 10, 2002. Pfc. Willie V. Brand, 377th Military Police Company, charged with involuntary manslaughter, according to documents obtained by Human Rights Watch. Boland charged with dereliction, assault and maltreatment, more charges possible against others.
_Unidentified person, Wazi Village, Afghanistan, January 2003. Under investigation.
_Jamal Naseer, 18, Gardez, Afghanistan, March 2003. Under investigation.
_Unidentified person, Camp Bucca, Iraq, May 12, 2003. Soldier reprimanded for not using warning shots before killing someone trying to enter the camp.
_Abdul Wali, 28, Asadabad, Afghanistan, June 2, 2003. CIA contractor David Passaro charged with assault.
_Dilar Dababa, Baghdad, June 13, 2003. Died of head injury. USA Today reported he died during interrogation.
_Obeed Hethere Radad, Tikrit, Iraq, Sept. 11, 2003. Soldier discharged for voluntary manslaughter for not warning escaping prisoner before shooting him.
_Manadel al-Jamadi, Abu Ghraib, Iraq, Nov. 4, 2003. Died during interrogation. Several Navy SEALs charged; and two CIA personnel under investigation.
_Abdul Wahid, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Nov. 6, 2003. Badly wounded man dies in U.S. custody. No U.S. charges The Denver Post reported he died at interrogation facility while shackled and gagged.
_Muhamad Husain Kadir, Taal Al Jal, Iraq, Feb. 28, 2004. Pfc. Edward Richmond, 25th Infantry Division, received three years in prison for voluntary manslaughter.
_Karim Hassan, 36, Kufa, Iraq, May 21, 2004. Capt. Rogelio Maynulet, 1st Armored Division, facing court-martial over what he described as mercy killing of wounded Iraq militiaman.
_Unidentified person, 16, Sadr City, Iraq, Aug. 18, 2004. Staff Sgt. Johnny M. Horne Jr., Fort Riley, Kan., sentenced to three years in prison in another purported mercy killing. Staff Sgt. Cardenas J. Alban, also from Fort Riley, convicted and sentenced to one year confinement.
_Three unidentified people, Sadr City, August 2004. Sgt. Michael P. Williams and Spc. Brent May, from Fort Riley, facing murder charges.
_At least 6 more investigated by U.S. Army.
Justified homicide or suspected justified homicide
_Hemdan Haby Heshfan Gashame, Nasiriyah, Iraq, March 29, 2003. Shot while attacking Marine.
_Musa Abbas Farhan, Abu Ghraib, April 10, 2003. Shot during riot.
_Khalid Abbas Mahmood, Abu Ghraib, April 10, 2003. Shot during riot.
_Yasiree Ahmes Al-Haddii, Umm Qasr, Iraq, April 18, 2003. Shot during unrest.
_Unidentified person, Camp Cropper, Iraq, June 12, 2003. Shot trying to escape.
_Ala-Jassem Sa'ad, 22, Abu Ghraib, June 13, 2003. Shot during riot.
_Unidentifed person, Camp Bucca, Iraq, Sept. 22, 2003. Shot during riot.
_Jussayn Ali Salman, about 34, Abu Ghraib, Nov. 24, 2003. Shot during riot.
_Raed Shalaan, about 25, Nov. 24, 2003. Shot during riot.
_Madoor Hussein Sayar, about 21, Abu Ghraib, Nov. 24, 2003. Shot during riot.
_Dawood Mazin Thawin, about 25, Abu Ghraib, Nov. 24, 2003. Shot during riot.
_Naif Sliman Amir, Abu Ghraib, March 28, 2004. Shot during riot.
_Fahin Ali Gumaa, 44, April 28, 2004. Shot in fighting before capture, died in custody.
_Sajid Kadhim Bori al-Bawi, May 17, 2004, Baghdad. Shot during a raid.
_Ibrahim Hamadan Sudhail, May 24, 2004, Abu Ghraib. Shot in fighting before capture, died in custody.
_Fras Moazahim Habib, Abu Ghraib, Aug. 18, 2004. Shot during riot.
_Husham Nafit Ghafar, Abu Ghraib, Aug. 18, 2004. Shot during riot.
_Four unidentified, Camp Bucca, Jan. 31, 2005. Killed during riot.
Prisoners killed in insurgent attack on Abu Ghraib, April 6, 2004
_Karim Masnadane
_Hasan Hamad Abu Nasser
_Ahmed Selfeegi Gaer
_Ismael Abduslhussein Shahab
_Khudair Museif Jassem
_Awad Salih Jassim
_Khalaf Najif Jassem
_Andan Abdulhussein Shahab
_Fourteen unidentified.
Natural causes or accident:
_Unidentified male, Kabul, 2002. Justice Department, CIA investigated, but no prosecution.
_Mohammed Hussain Basim, July 12, 2003. Iraq.
_Mohamed Najem Abed, Aug. 6, 2003, Abu Ghraib prison.
_Twfeek Najm Byatay Al-Zubydy Hamza Hassad, Aug. 7, 2003, Diwania.
_Wathik Mihdy, Aug. 11, 2003, Abu Ghraib.
_Dham Spah, Aug. 13, 2003, Abu Ghraib.
_Ehad Kazam Taled, Aug. 20, 2003, Abu Ghraib.
_Tariq Zaid Mohamed, Aug. 22, 2003. Iraq.
_Abureda Lafta Abdul Kareem, 44, Dec. 9, 2003, Mosul, Iraq. Died while bound and blindfolded.
_Nasef J. Ibrahim, 63, Jan. 8, 2004, Abu Ghraib.
_Bakir Yassen Rashed Al Hussen, Jan. 16, 2004. Iraq.
_Hassan Ekab Ahmed, Feb. 8, 2004, Tikrit.
_Saad Mohammed Abdullah, 54, Feb. 19, 2004, Abu Ghraib.
_Mohamed Abul Abbas, 55, March 8, 2004, Camp Cropper.
_Fathel Ibrahim Mahmood, April 19, 2004, Abu Ghraib.
_Abbas Alwad Fadil, April 19, 2004, Abu Ghraib.
_Hussein Abdullah Awad al-Juwadi, 75, May 11, 2004, Abu Ghraib.
_Abduhl Kaddim Altia, May 22, 2004, Abu Ghraib.
_Riadh Mohammed Abd al Razak, June 10, 2004, Abu Ghraib.
_Sher Mohammed Khan, Sept. 25, 2004, Salerno Firebase, Afghanistan.
_Mohammed Nahar, 71, October 2004, Qaim. Investigated by Navy.
_At least 8 more investigated by U.S. Army.
Unknown or still under investigation:
_Hadi Abdul Hussain Hasson al-Zubaidy, about 32, Unknown date in 2003. Camp Bucca.
_Nagem Sadoon Hatab, 52, June 6, 2003, Nasiriyah, Iraq. Marine said to accidentally break his neck. His boss, Marine Maj. Clarke Paulus, convicted of maltreatment and dereliction and dismissed from military. A sergeant received 60 days hard labor in a case related to Hatab investigation. Navy says investigation still open.
_Jassim Mohammed Saleh Hussein al-Obodi, Aug. 3, 2003, Camp Cropper.
_Mohammed Munim al-Izmerly, 65, Jan. 31, 2004, Camp Cropper. Investigation reopened.
_Fashad Mohamed, April 5, 2004, Iraq.
_Fawaz Badaa Najem, June 14, 2004, Abu Ghraib. Died in cell, cause undetermined after autopsy.
_Unidentified person, Fallujah, Nov. 13, 2004. Navy investigating shooting of wounded insurgent in mosque by a Marine.
_At least 3 more investigated by U.S. Navy.
Sources: U.S. Army, Navy, and other U.S. government officials and documents.
>>>
bloglines.com
gatewaypundit.blogspot.com
treyjackson.typepad.com
instapundit.com |
