Witnesses in Iraqi abuse case implicate US military intelligence

[Barrett808]

FORT BRAGG, United States (AFP) - US Army officers testifying here at the hearing of a soldier accused of mistreating Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib prison implicated military intelligence officers in acts of purported abuse.

The officers were testifying at a special hearing for Private Lynndie England, notoriously photographed holding a leash around a naked detainee's neck, which will determine if she should face a court-martial and a possible 38 years in jail.

England, 21, faces 19 counts of abusing Iraqi inmates, discrediting the army and other charges stemming from her service as an army reservist with a military police unit in Abu Ghraib prison late last year.

Captain Brent Fitch told the hearing by telephone from Charlottesville, Virginia, he had seen a photograph that pictured three military intelligence (MI) officers abusing a detainee.

It was not clear from the day's testimony so far if the photograph was one of several that have been leaked to the media or if it was one of the hundreds that have been seized as part of other army probes into abuse at the jail.

Asked if he had seen a photograph of the MI officers abusing a detainee, Fitch replied: "I did."

(more)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040805/ts_afp/us_iraq_prisoners&cid=1503&ncid=1480

[Nambe]

1. Condi's rep was seen wittnessing abuse on his visit.

That was a very official visit. I hope someone got a photo of the White House staffer watching.

[Greyskye]

2. You're kidding!

Any links on this one? I'd love to read more on this!!!

[Nambe]

3. Her name is Fran Townsend.

I can't find the article that says she was seen witnessing abuse but she does admit being there. She's pretty slippery. She was involved in the doubletalk over this weeks terror alerts.
---from this aritcle http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/06/21/iraq/main624991.shtml

Jordan's statement said he was reminded of the need to improve intelligence "many, many, many times" and the pressure included a visit to the prison by an aide to White House national security adviser Condoleezza Rice, the paper reported.

To rebut Jordan's account, the White House arranged an interview with White House homeland security adviser Fran Townsend before, but in anticipation of, the newspaper's publication.

Townsend, who last fall was Rice's deputy for combating terrorism, told The Associated Press she visited Abu Ghraib and even walked through a cellblock but "we never discussed interrogation. We never discussed interrogation techniques. That wasn't the focus."

[Guaranteed]

4. Kick

HELlo....:)