U.S., Citing Abuse in Iraqi Prisons, Holds Detainees

[maddezmom]

WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 - The commander of American-run prisons in Iraq says the military will not turn over any detainees or detention centers to Iraqi jailers until American officials are satisfied that the Iraqis are meeting United States standards for the care and custody of detainees.

"Bottom line, we will not pass on facilities or detainees until they meet the standards we define and that we are using today," the commander, Maj. Gen. John D. Gardner of the Army, said in a telephone interview this week from Iraq.

The comments by General Gardner come in the aftermath of two recent raids of Iraqi government detention centers that uncovered scores of abused prisoners. They also follow calls by American officials for the Iraqi government to bar militias from dominating the security forces. American military experts have joined Iraqi officials in inspecting Iraqi detention centers.

The general's remarks also come at a time when three of the main American-operated prisons in Iraq remain severely overcrowded despite a $50 million expansion that is nearly finished and when Americans are training Iraqis to take over detention duties.

more:http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/25/international/middleeast/25detain.html?hp&ex=1135573200&en=7b29c9b497aa37eb&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[FloridaPat]

1. Sounds like they are meeting the US standards already.

[matcom]

2. and we have EXTREMELY high standards

[leftchick]

3. yes indeed we do!

Tortures are US....

[ninkasi]

4. Irony is alive and well

Freedom, truth, social justice...all of those are withering and dying in the poisoned atmosphere of Bushworld. Irony, however, is alive and well.

[Ernesto]

5. Americans won't hand over jails to Iraqis

How conveient... The occupiers refuse to empower those that they have "freed ed" from tyranny.... & the occupation continues...
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - The U.S. military will not hand over jails or individual detainees to Iraqi authorities until they demonstrate higher standards of care, an American official said Sunday, two weeks after the discovery of 120 abused Iraqi prisoners. Meanwhile, bloodshed claimed at least 18 lives across Iraq, including two U.S. and five Iraqi soldiers killed by bombings in Baghdad.
......... on the other hand: "American authorities suffered their own black eye over mistreatment of prisoners when photographs surfaced early last year showing U.S. soldiers abusing detainees at the Abu Ghraib prison on Baghdad's western outskirts. The scandal led to convictions for nine Army reservists." (make that scapegoats for their leaders)

http://www.sacbee.com/24hour/front/story/3005041p-11691158c.html

[Spinzonner]

6. I guess there's sovereignty and then there's Sovereignty

[Demeter]

7. Know Why? Guess Who The Iraqis Would Put In Those Jails?

First three guesses don't count.

Did you say US citizens? Give the man a prize!

[0007]

8. Straight from the desk of John Negroponte

Ah, is that why junior made the "Death Squad Master" the Intel chief?

[Clara T]

9. Americans Won't Hand Over Jails to Iraqis

Americans Won't Hand Over Jails to Iraqis

Monday December 26, 2005 4:32 AM

By JASON STRAZIUSO

Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - The U.S. military will not hand over jails or individual detainees to Iraqi authorities until they demonstrate higher standards of care, an American official said Sunday, two weeks after the discovery of 120 abused Iraqi prisoners. Meanwhile, bloodshed claimed at least 18 lives across Iraq, including two U.S. and five Iraqi soldiers killed by bombings in Baghdad.

Lt. Col. Barry Johnson said detention facilities in Iraq will be transferred over time to Iraqi officials but they must first show that the rights of detainees are safeguarded and that international law on the treatment of prisoners is being followed.

``A specific timeline for doing this is difficult to project at this stage with so many variables,'' said Johnson, a military spokesman. ``The Iraqis are committed to doing this right and will not rush to failure. The transition will be based on meeting standards, not on a timeline.''

He was commenting on a New York Times story Sunday that was the first to report prison facilities wouldn't be handed over until Iraqi officials improved standards.

Go Here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5503833,00.html

[tularetom]

10. How can they say this shit

with a straight face?

[Trillo]

11. because...

...their faces are painted on.

[rocktivity]

12. But THE UNITED STATES aren't meeting United States standards

for "the care and custody of detainees"!

:crazy:
rocknation