By Country / Iraq
U.S., Britain Condemn Abuse of Iraqi Prisoners
May 01, 2004
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1 May 2004 - British and U.S. officials are condemning the reported abuse of some Iraqi prisoners by coalition soldiers.
Britain's Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into the reports. He said that "if wrongdoing is established, then full action will be taken through the independent prosecuting authority."
British Army Chief of Staff General Sir Mike Jackson said abuse of prisoners contravenes military policy.
"If proven, not only is such appalling conduct clearly unlawful, but it also contravenes the British Army's high standards," Jackson said.
In the latest reports, the British Daily Mirror newspaper published photos today of British soldiers allegedly abusing Iraqi prisoners.
In Washington, U.S. President George W. Bush said he is deeply disgusted by other photographs depicting the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. troops.
"I shared a deep disgust that those [Iraqi] prisoners were treated the way they were treated. Their treatment does not reflect the nature of the American people. That's not the way we do things in America," Bush said.
Sexual humiliation of prisoners documented in the pictures has led to criminal charges being brought against six U.S. soldiers. The U.S. general who was in charge of the prison in Iraq where the acts reportedly occurred, Brigadier General Janis Karpinski, has been suspended.
(AP/Reuters)