PM (John Howard), you're wrong: letters expose early reports of torture

Claims of multiple breaches of the Geneva conventions by US soldiers in Iraqi prisons - including prolonged shackling, forced nudity and humiliation - were dealt with by the Australian military lawyer Major George O'Kane last year, casting serious doubt on the Federal Government's version of events.

The Prime Minister, John Howard, insisted yesterday that the complaints of abuse, of which Major O'Kane was aware from October, were not substantial, dealing only with "food, clothing and communications opportunities".

The revelations also contradict statements yesterday by the Defence Minister, Robert Hill, that Major O'Kane knew nothing of the abuses until January.

Major O'Kane helped draft the US military's response to the complaints by the International Committee of the Red Cross about the treatment of Iraqi prisoners in Baghdad's Abu Ghraib and Camp Cropper jails.

The Herald has obtained details of the letter sent to the Red Cross on December 24, 2003, after it had provided written accounts of the abuses to US commanders in early November.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/05/28/1085641715054.html

so much, been caught out and just continued as though nothing had happened.

Time for this goat to be put out to pasture.

them the benefit of the doubt that they have souls.