Iraq shows TV interrogations

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=143&sid=5552366

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's U.S.-backed interim government is stepping up its propaganda war with insurgents
by broadcasting videotaped interviews with suspects who appear to confess to killings, rape and theft on the orders
of guerrillas.

The offensive was launched in recent weeks on state-run Iraqiya television, which broadcast lengthy interrogations
of Iraqis it said had carried out terrorist acts under the direction of "Abdullah", described as a criminal with close ties
to Syria.

There is no obvious way to verify the authenticity of the confessions. The interrogator's face does not appear on
camera, and the suspects are shown sitting in office chairs across from a desk in a white-walled room.

Iraqi officials, who are struggling against a raging insurgency, accuse Syria of allowing guerrillas to cross its
borders into Iraq to carry out attacks and permitting Saddam Hussein loyalists to live on its soil.

more

[NNN0LHI]

1. This is really pathetic after the Abu Ghraib Prison torture scandal

Any confession by anyone is now suspect. As in what did you do to these guys to get them to say this?

Don

[Disturbed]

2. Same Old Shit from Fascists for Fascists.

The new Iraqi Govt. is as Fascist as the one in the U.S.

Is the story about Allawi executing six suspects by shooting them in the head true?

[LynnTheDem]

3. Apparently yes.

There were news articles recently...2-3 weeks ago?...that said Allawi did indeed sumamrily execute those 6 blind-folded hand-cuffed suspects.

They were probably as "guilty" as the vast majority of the prisoners in Abu Ghraib were.

[zbdent]

4. So, they don't show the wires on the testicles, eh?

some "confessions". I would think that McCain might have a few tips on what to watch out for . . .

[Igel]

5. On the other hand, I have to presume that Iraqis know how this

will be interpreted by other Iraqis.

Showing heroes repenting, calling their own deeds evil, and denouncing their former comrades-in-jihad as acting in an un-Muslim way that dishonors their tribe ... might work. The insurgent rhetoric isn't truth based, or empty. It makes cultural sense.

A lot of Baghdad Bob's rhetoric was seen as empty rhetoric, useless insults, and out-and-out lies. We didn't respond to defend our honor as they dishonored and insulted us, and so we merited little respect. And we showed Iraqis that we had at least some respect and honor for Saddam, even while trying to kill him.

I believe that some American subcultures participate in ritual insult. I'd be interested in what the response of the participants peers would be if one side insisted on trying to minimize the vitriol while the other didn't.