On March 20, 2003, the United States, with the help of the United Kingdom and Australia, invaded Iraq with the stated intent of removing Saddam Hussein from power. The primary pretext for the attack was the accusation that Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction, and the assertion that those alleged weapons represented a threat to Iraq's neighbors and the U.S. That pretext was extremely flimsy even before the subsequent invasion and occupation failed to turn up any evidence of weapons of mass destruction because:

Hans Blix, who led the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission, clearly stated that the teams under his direction were unable to find any evidence of nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons in Iraq.
Scott Ritter, a retired U.S. Marine and former UN weapons inspector in Iraq stated that he was convinced that Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction.
Colin Powell stated in February of 2001: "[Hussein] has not developed any significant capability with respect to weapons of mass destruction."

When challenged about the lies it used to justify the attack on Iraq, Bush administration spokespersons frequently change the subject to the War on Terror, and the need to defeat the terrorist insurgents in Iraq. Thus a more basic pretext for the attack and occupation is the root of the War on Terror: the 9/11/01 attack.

Torture in Iraq

e x c e r p t

title: Hard Evidence of US Torturing Prisoners to Death Ignored by Corporate Media

authors: Peter Phillips

Military autopsy reports provide indisputable proof that detainees are being tortured to death while in US military custody. Yet the US corporate media are covering it with the seriousness of a garage sale for the local Baptist Church.

A recent American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) posting of one of forty-four US military autopsy reports reads as follows: "Final Autopsy Report: DOD 003164, (Detainee) Died as a result of asphyxia (lack of oxygen to the brain) due to strangulation as evidenced by the recently fractured hyoid bone in the neck and soft tissue hemorrhage extending downward to the level of the right thyroid cartilage. Autopsy revealed bone fracture, rib fractures, contusions in mid abdomen, back and buttocks extending to the left flank, abrasions, lateral buttocks. Contusions, back of legs and knees; abrasions on knees, left fingers and encircling to left wrist. Lacerations and superficial cuts, right 4th and 5th fingers. Also, blunt force injuries, predominately recent contusions (bruises) on the torso and lower extremities. Abrasions on left wrist are consistent with use of restraints. No evidence of defense injuries or natural disease. Manner of death is homicide. Whitehorse Detainment Facility, Nasiriyah, Iraq."

The ACLU website further reveals how: "a 27-year-old Iraqi male died while being interrogated by Navy Seals on April 5, 2004, in Mosul, Iraq. During his confinement he was hooded, flex-cuffed, sleep deprived and subjected to hot and cold environmental conditions, including the use of cold water on his body and hood. The exact cause of death was "undetermined" although the autopsy stated that hypothermia may have contributed to his death.

Another Iraqi detainee died on January 9, 2004, in Al Asad, Iraq, while being interrogated. He was standing, shackled to the top of a doorframe with a gag in his mouth, at the time he died. The cause of death was asphyxia and blunt force injuries.

So read several of the 44 US military autopsy reports on the ACLU website -evidence of extensive abuse of US detainees in Iraq and Afghanistan 2002 through 2004. Anthony Romero, Executive Director of ACLU stated, "There is no question that US interrogations have resulted in deaths." ACLU attorney Amrit Sing adds, "These documents present irrefutable evidence that US operatives tortured detainees to death during interrogations."

Additionally, ACLU reports that in April 2003, Secretary Rumsfeld authorized the use of "environmental manipulation" as an interrogation technique in Guantanamo Bay. In September 2003, Lt. Gen. Sanchez also authorized this technique for use in Iraq. So responsibility for these human atrocities goes directly to the highest levels of power.

...
http://action.aclu.org/torturefoia/released/102405/

site: www.project.censored.org

page last modified: 2006-05-28

Share |

Colin Powell presented these illustrations to the United Nations on 2/5/03 as evidence that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction. No such weapons were ever found.