Bremer: 'Something should have been done earlier'

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The top American civilian official in Iraq said Saturday that "something should have been done earlier" about abuse in Baghdad's Abu Ghraib prison, but added that U.S. soldiers are also helping the Iraqi people.

Paul Bremer, after a meeting with al-Anbar province governor Abdul Kareem Barjas, told reporters the abuse was a "big problem."

"The military, as I recall the chronology, was told in January and launched an investigation the next day," Bremer said. "(But) we should not condemn all U.S. soldiers. As I told my guests, I have traveled all over and seen the good work by U.S. soldiers. That is the true spirit of America."

"I share the outrage of Iraqis," he said. "Something should have been done earlier."

Bremer said the abuse has done "enormous damage to the U.S. Army, but U.S. soldiers also rebuild schools and hospitals."

~snip~
more:http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/05/08/iraq.abuse.main/

The military was told in Jan? really, not before that? When were you told? More Lies.....distortion and coverup attempts

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAP9Q7HYTD.html

Bremer First Heard of Abuse Allegations at Abu Ghraib in January; ICRC Says It Reported Ill-Treatment Last Year


BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - U.S. administrator L. Paul Bremer first heard of allegations that troops were mistreating Iraqi captives at Abu Ghraib prison in January, a spokesman said Friday. The Red Cross claimed it had been warning of prisoner abuse throughout Iraq since the very beginning of the U.S.-led invasion.


Bremer's spokesman, Dan Senor, said he did not know when Bremer first saw the photos of abusive acts. It was the pictures, not the initial announcement of the investigation, that ignited international outrage.

In mid-January, Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, announced an investigation into allegations of mistreatment of prisoners at a coalition detention facility in Iraq - prompted by complaints of a U.S. guard at Abu Ghraib who told his superiors he could not tolerate abuses he had witnessed.

"Ambassador Bremer was made aware of the charges relating to the humiliations in January 2004," when the investigation was announced, Senor told reporters.

more

I think he's speaking to the incidents relating to the photos/video tapes, not to the broader accusation of abuse in the prisons and by soldiers. He's using it as a cover.

Bremer 'knew of abuse in November'
From correspondents in Baghdad
May 4, 2004

FORMER Iraqi human rights minister Abdel Basset Turki said today US overseer Paul Bremer knew in November that Iraqi prisoners were being abused in US detention centres.

"In November I talked to Mr Bremer about human rights violations in general and in jails in particular. He listened but there was no answer. At the first meeting, I asked to be allowed to visit the security prisoners, but I failed," Turki said.

"I told him the news. He didn't take care about the information I gave him."

The coalition had no immediate comment about Turki's meeting with Bremer.

The minister, whose resignation was formally accepted by the coalition yesterday, said he told Bremer about his meetings with former detainees.

Former Iraqi human rights minister Abdel Basset Turki said US civilian administrator Paul Bremer knew in November that Iraqi prisoners were being abused in US detention centres.

"In November I talked to Mr Bremer about human rights violations in general and in jails in particular. He listened but there was no answer," said Turki, who resigned April 8 in anger over the US military offensives on Najaf and Fallujah.

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/05/04/1083635114111.html

~snip
From U.S. administrator L. Paul Bremer and Secretary of State Colin L. Powell to investigators for the International Committee of the Red Cross, a broad array of officials pressed the Pentagon to improve conditions or face a likely Iraqi backlash, officials from the government and the organizations said yesterday.
~snip

In August, Bremer became alarmed about the treatment of detainees and prison conditions. After interceding in one detainee's case, he urged the U.S. military in Iraq and top Bush administration officials to improve conditions and avoid potential fallout, according to U.S. officials.
~snip~

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9521-2004May7.html

maybe he should have met with the Red Cross, Amnesty International etc. No he was too busy, flying back and forth to meet with the pres, holding photo ops with the pres., protecting the oil production facilities, appointing and re-appointing governors, hiring contractors and spending out tax dollars.

& buy a few new suits. It will make you feel better.

"but U.S. soldiers also rebuild schools and hospitals" Thats right, we don't want to forget all the wonderful shit that they are doing for them too!!!

But since he and Dimbo are first cousins, I find it inconceivable that Dimbo wasn't aware of the abuse until recently. Someone or some group is lying and trying to cover it up under the veil of secrecy that permeates the current administration.

Bush and Bremer are first cousins? If so, I never knew this:shrug:

"I share the outrage of Iraqis" and "Something should have been done sooner."

Probably the strongest I have heard from anyone, in fact the phrasing is a little politically dangerous.

I hope the soldiers are building psychiatric institutions as well.

This is going to bring the whole military down morale wise.

becaue that is where you are going to end up... no pardons for War Crimes

Bremer 'knew of abuse in November'
From correspondents in Baghdad
May 4, 2004

FORMER Iraqi human rights minister Abdel Basset Turki said today US overseer Paul Bremer knew in November that Iraqi prisoners were being abused in US detention centres.

"In November I talked to Mr Bremer about human rights violations in general and in jails in particular. He listened but there was no answer. At the first meeting, I asked to be allowed to visit the security prisoners, but I failed," Turki said.

"I told him the news. He didn't take care about the information I gave him."

The coalition had no immediate comment about Turki's meeting with Bremer.

The minister, whose resignation was formally accepted by the coalition yesterday, said he told Bremer about his meetings with former detainees.

Source: News.com.au

we shoulda stayed the f*** out of Iraq

.. the rush by the PNAC to take over the world, such an evil and grandiose cause. YET.. they are felled by the small detail of a soldier slipping a note under the door of his superior's room.

Much like the serial killer that is caught because he is missing a tail light, evil is so often tripped up by seemingly small incidents.

This is a wake-up call to PNAC and the BFEE. The inflated, and greed-filled ego often confuses evil with brilliance. You've been exposed to the world.. now go the fuck back into your cubicles and leave our world alone!