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UK troops in Iraqi torture probe
The Ministry of Defence has launched an investigation into allegations that British soldiers have been pictured torturing an Iraqi prisoner.
The photographs, obtained by the Daily Mirror newspaper, show a suspected thief being beaten and urinated on.
The UK's most senior soldier, General Sir Mike Jackson, said if guilty, the men were not fit to wear the uniform.
Earlier, the UK Government said it was "appalled" by pictures of Iraqi prisoners being abused by US troops.
Tony Blair's official spokesman said the way naked prisoners were tormented by troops directly contravened all the US-led coalition's policy.
He stressed the abuse by a few soldiers at the Abu Ghraib jail was not representative of coalition troops.
But Labour MP John McDonnell instead argued the coalition's occupation of Iraq was being discredited.
The latest pictures were handed over by British soldiers who claimed a rogue element in the British army was responsible for abusing prisoners and civilians.
It is alleged during his 8-hour ordeal he was threatened with execution, his jaw broken and his teeth smashed.
Sir Michael Jackson, chief of the general staff, said: "If proven, not only is such appalling conduct clearly unlawful but also contravenes the British Army's high standards of conduct.
"The allegations are already under investigation.
"Again, if proven, the perpetrators are not fit to wear the Queen's uniform and they have besmirched the Army's good name and conduct."
'Regrettable'
A US military investigation has recommended disciplinary action against several of its officers for the alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners.
Brigadier General Janice Karpinski is among seven officers being investigated following claims that soldiers under their command mistreated detainees.
The officers have already been suspended from duty.
Mr Blair's official spokesman said: "The US army spokesman has said this morning that he is appalled, that those responsible have let their fellow soldiers down, and those are views that we would associate the UK Government with."
He added: "This is not representative of the 150,000 soldiers that are in Iraq, and they should not judge the actions of the coalition as a whole on the actions of a few.
"But it is regrettable, to say the least."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/3675215.stm
The UK's most senior soldier, General Sir Mike Jackson, said if guilty, the men were not fit to wear the uniform.
Earlier, the UK Government said it was "appalled" by pictures of Iraqi prisoners being abused by US troops.
Tony Blair's official spokesman said the way naked prisoners were tormented by troops directly contravened all the US-led coalition's policy.
He stressed the abuse by a few soldiers at the Abu Ghraib jail was not representative of coalition troops.
But Labour MP John McDonnell instead argued the coalition's occupation of Iraq was being discredited.
The latest pictures were handed over by British soldiers who claimed a rogue element in the British army was responsible for abusing prisoners and civilians.
It is alleged during his 8-hour ordeal he was threatened with execution, his jaw broken and his teeth smashed.
Sir Michael Jackson, chief of the general staff, said: "If proven, not only is such appalling conduct clearly unlawful but also contravenes the British Army's high standards of conduct.
"The allegations are already under investigation.
"Again, if proven, the perpetrators are not fit to wear the Queen's uniform and they have besmirched the Army's good name and conduct."
'Regrettable'
A US military investigation has recommended disciplinary action against several of its officers for the alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners.
Brigadier General Janice Karpinski is among seven officers being investigated following claims that soldiers under their command mistreated detainees.
The officers have already been suspended from duty.
Mr Blair's official spokesman said: "The US army spokesman has said this morning that he is appalled, that those responsible have let their fellow soldiers down, and those are views that we would associate the UK Government with."
He added: "This is not representative of the 150,000 soldiers that are in Iraq, and they should not judge the actions of the coalition as a whole on the actions of a few.
"But it is regrettable, to say the least."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/3675215.stm
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SHAME
Sun, May 9, 2004 5:16PM
The nature of the Beast
Sun, May 2, 2004 3:56PM
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