US officer's lack of leadership fostered Abu Ghraib abuse: court

[Barrett808]

Source: AFP

FORT MEADE, United States (AFP) - The US officer in charge of interrogations at Baghdad's infamous Abu Ghraib jail failed in his duty giving troops free rein to abuse their prisoners, a court martial heard Tuesday.

Lieutenant Colonel Steven Jordan "was the officer in charge ... He was the highest ranking officer on the ground," prosecutor Colonel John Tracy insisted in his opening statement.

"But he wasn't there ... leadership failed ... he failed in his duties," he alleged.

Jordan 51, is the only US military officer to face trial over abuses at the jail, which came to light in 2004 when shocking photos of naked, collared Iraqi prisoners being tormented by grinning soldiers shot around the world.

He has pled not guilty to four charges stemming from the abuse, including failing to obey an order not to discuss the affair and dereliction of duty.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070821/wl_mideast_afp/usiraqmilitarytrial

[bobthedrummer]

1. Total bs, it was systemic as The Taguba Report documented. Where's Rummy today?

[bobthedrummer]

2. The Taguba Report (from FindLaw.com)

http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/iraq/tagubarpt.html

That's just one aspect of the US military, then there are the mercenaries...

[rodeodance]

3. He's part of the top "leadership" who walked away!

[MasonJar]

4. He is being charged with talking. What exactly did he say? That

is the important factor in my mind. Did he try to obfuscate? Or did he try to get the truth out?

[Turbineguy]

5. Lack of leadership

would have meant poor food and medical care. Lousy conditions, not torture. That was active, just in the wrong direction.

[saigon68]

6. The Higher Generals are the War Criminals

Who advocated torture from Gangster Cheney