ENGLISH POW IN IRAQ SPEAKS OF US ARMY ABUSE.

HI COASTAL.

Welcome to this forum; it's encouraging to welcome a familiar 'face'. I agree with what you say about this forum and feel comfortable with your presence here. While we both still like Pravda, there is far too much time there wasted hurling personal insults around. As you have seen from the excellent post from James Morrison (or is it 'Masterful' in disguise), there is a good debate going on.
It's a strange thing to say, but now that you have taken the time to come and see me over here, I have a greater degree of respect for you. The words you use here are different to the ones over on Pravda; I understand this. On Pravda, whatever and whenever we write we are perhaps subconsciously thinking of the personal vendettas, abuse and all the other unecessary stuff that may come along, detracting from quality debating.

Good to hear from you!


JAMES.
Welcome back and thanks for a that incisive post. As ever, you make some very important points.

To add to James' excellent post I would say that another hurdle for you to make in court Michael is that you will probably be characterized as a war protester based on some of the comments you made.

While there's certainly nothing wrong with that there will be amny who will be of the impression that this political aspect of your journey detracts from the daughter motivation and some might think you had a predisposition to seeing acts of the US military in a harsh light.

In short, some may think that your charges are, if only in part, politically motivated.

MT
Hello.

I actually disagree with JM's post. It appears that he is calling your threads unnecessary sensationalism. I disagree wholeheartedly. Given your unfortunate experience, coupled with the type of career you have, I would give you nearly 0% chance of knowing where to go to plead your case. I offer that these forums are very helpful for just such a search. The cross section of members on these forums can probably solve most situations that occur in real life.

It also has a psychologically therapeutic affect as well.

CRAVEN DE KERE.

Hi and thank's for that.
As with the post from JM, I agree with much of what you say and confess that I share your concern. I am a pacifist, as I think I have mentioned here, but I am not an 'anti-war protester'. I mean that I do not belong to any organisations at all and have never attended any rallies, demonstrations or the like. This does not mean I do not support what some of them are standing for, it's just that I am a very independent thinker and will not allow my mind to be 'swept along' in some euphoric event as this can blur objectivity. I subscribe to my own way of thinking, not someone elses! Also, signing up to others view often cost money in membership fees!
When George Bush came to London last November I went to try and get a meeting with him. I was aware of the fact that he was meeting some of the victims families but I couldn't get through to the embassy. His war killed my girlfriend so I believe I had a right to meet him; of course, I wasn't even invited. When in London I did not go near the anti-war people because I can understand that it would make it easier for the US to deal with me if they could classify me as an 'anti-war protester'. As Mr Bush said, 'you are either with us or you are against us'. I am not with or against anyone, all I want is the truth and my daughter!
Interestingly, I was in London with a Turkish journalist friend, the guy who put my story onto the front page of Turkeys biggest newspaper. He asked me to go and pose for a photograph with some ant-war protesters who were walking down the street and was surprised when I refused.
I am me.

Much as the US may try (in coming months) and classify me, they will have a hard job!

Politics is a word that has the same effect on me as sleeping pills. Of course there will be people who will think there is a political agenda at play here, but all I can do is tell the truth and continue to search for my child. What they make of it us up to them.

Although I did receive some shocking treatment from some soldiers, I also experienced some remarkable compassion and genuine concern for my plight, after the Turks had gone. I received many gifts. One soldier was having trouble with his wife back home and asked me to write a poem for him to express his feelings. For ages he sat beside me and told me all his troubles; I then wrote a 4 page love-poem for his wife, to try and save his marriage. Without my knowledge, he read the whole thing out to his wife on the phone and came back emotionally charged and tearful! This was an incredible moment and there were many more. The later unit that guarded me (very well) in Baghdad have invited me to their homecoming party. I will attend because I got close to many of the soldiers. It's clear that I must tell the whole side of the story and make it clear that my treatment was very bad when I was captured and before the Turks were released in the early hours of Sunday the 6th July.
If I only focus on the bad stuff that happened to me that would be unfair on the many kind, generous, humourous, gentle and compassionate soldiers I met. I will not forget them, even though they had orders to point M16's at me all the time. Many of them said how ridiculous it all was but they were, of course, only following orders!

THE BEAT.
Greetings and welcome!
I totally agree with the 'psychologically therapeutic' aspect you mention. I actually look forward to expressing myself here because it's just about the only outlet I have. My ex-wife will not talk about it as she cannot get her mind around it (she is also not a native english speaker); my son is just 11 and just not ready for the full details; my parents are dead; I have no brothers or sisters and I lost contact with my extended family over 10 years ago when I went to live in the Indian Subcontinent.
So guys, you are like my family now, even though I know next to nothing about you all!
As for forum members solving most problems that occur in life; yes I agree with the potential of that, although the lack of advice on my case is perhaps because it's a difficult one. However, I'm sure someone will come forward and give advice that is just so wonderfully appropriate that all the negativity generated by my initial posting will fade away and be forgotten.

The issue is, and remains - my daughter is missing in Iraq and the US Army detained me for three weeks while I was searching for her. I now espect that the US help me find her as the action of their military killed my childs mother. In election year this surely has to be an issue to be taken very seriously - I will be silent when my child is in my life! Simple enough!

MT,

Don't get too far down. Life is full of surprises, and you never know where you may be headed.

There is one aspect that I think you haven't mentioned, or at least not enough. President Bush had declared the end to major combat on May 1, 2003, a full month before you entered there as I recall. In the US, it was common practice to substitute the word "victory" for the words "the end to major combat".

The assumption of the majority of Americans was just that, that we were victorious. Everyone started talking about cleaning "pockets of resistance" while waiting for the WMDs to appear. Tony Blair was still adamant about their existence way into your time period and beyond.

By the time you arrived on the scene, private companies had already started sending in the civilian engineers to study the projects that were going to be needed. That's when we were giving out contracts right and left to Bechtel and Halliburton.

In other words, it was considered a much safer time period than pre-May 1. One where civilians were supposed to have more freedom of movement. By June, 2003, I wouldn't have expected to hear that a foreign civilian looking for his daughter would AUTOMATICALLY be subjected to your ordeal.

I would think that way now, but not at the time.

Captured in Iraq after May 1st 2003 - implications ?
The Beat,

As ever, you deliver a timely and thoughtful post; the members of this forum don't yet fully know what a 'star' you are elsewhere!

I wish I could be sure that I was heading for my daughter, but all doors seem to be closing now. The US Lawyer has emailed just now to say he cannot take this case on a contingency / pro bono basis. It took me months to find this guy and get him on board and now this body blow.

Anyway, you have mentioned something that I had overlooked. How important do you think it is that I was captured and mistreated after May 1st, ie after George declared major hostilities were over?

Also, I am now without representation in the US - any good ideas? Really I feel pretty *hit right now and can't understand how this guy can put money in front of a little girl who has done nothing wrong.

Yes, feeling low, but not out for the count yet! NO WAY!

MT
Welcome to the land of the almighty dollar. While it may seem strange to you that he would renig, it sounds pretty much status quo here in the U.S. Looking for people to "champion a cause" is becoming scarcer in these here parts.

To be honest, I haven't a clue where to go from here. A few thoughts (random at best):

The Village Voice (a famous underground newspaper in NYC)
Indymedia (not a clue how to contact them)
Whatreallyhappened.com
Informationclearinghouse.info
Human Rights Watch
Amnesty International (I think I've already said this one)

Know that your best interests are ALWAYS being looked after ---- by you!! Go forth with determination and you will arrive at that which you seek. Know that the obstacles are imaginary and temporary and do not impede your progress, even though it may appear that way.

Plus you have the love and prayers of many people throughout the world, how could you POSSIBLY go wrong???

THE BEAT.

Thank you for commenting on the San Francisco Indymedia article and for offering your support. I really do appreciate this!

Have you (or anyone) heard of an alternative / investigative journalist called Paul Krassner? He does a piece for a paper that may be similar to The Village Voice I think.

I am in contact with Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International; today I contacted another UK based human rights organisation for advice and will keep you posted.



That was uplifting - thanks!



(PS - Have been trying to post for three days but I am blocked. Why? Anyone else having difficulties?)

MT

No, no problem.

Good luck!!

Hey, I print a newsletter for my friends. Sice I now consider you a friend, I would like to send you a copy. But only if you want one. If you need a reference, I also send a copy to Raffphi.

THE BEAT.
I'm honoured that you consider me a friend and yes, I would be happy to receive your newsletter and look forward to reading it.

ALL.
I have written something on the DC Indymedia site, officially thanking those soldiers who were reasonable with me in Iraq; hey, not all US soldiers abused me so it's important that the record is set straight. I met some very decent human beings while in custody, even though those who guarded me were under orders to point M16's at me 24/7.

Washington DC Indymedia

JAMES MORRISON.

Thank you James for posting the following article on Indymedia; it's a good acticle (which intelligently casts doubt over my story) and anyone who wants to find the truth should read it!

Washington DC Indymedia

Hi James.
Another excellent post if I may say so; thank you for writing tenaciously on Indymedia.
Ok, straight to the point (no 'theatricals, hyperbole or spin'); tell me what you want James and I will provide it. As a prompt, I hold the following information which any Lawyer I use will be made aware of in this case.

1. Contact details for the Diplomat who dealt with my case in Iraq, who visited me several time in custody, arranged for my release and accomodated me for 6 days at the Embassy in Baghdad.

2. Contact details for one of the Turkish Special Forces; the group I was detained with and whose 'bureau' I was captured outside.

3. Names, rank and other details for soldiers who guarded me.

4. Names of several soldiers involved in my capture on 4th July.

5. Original custody record.

6. 'Zip Ties' (plastic handcuffs) worn my me when first captured. On these zipties is my blood from when I was 'accidentally' cut.

7. Name of US Army officers resonsible for my detention.

8. Names of US Army Generals (1 a Chief of Staff) who knew of my detention and who authorised my final release.

9. Names and contact details of the UK government people in London who dealt with this case.

10. Etc, etc, etc.


So, where do we go from here James?

MT.

Hello Michael
I wanted you to know that I'm still thinking about you and hoping that you're getting somewhere in your quest for justice.

I just read an article in our local Canadian paper about a Canadian civilian who was also falsely imprisoned and tortured in Iraq. In his case, he was fortunate enough that someone was secretly taking pictures of the poor man being tortured by the American soldiers.

Bless you and I hope to God that you find your daughter and recieve some compinsation for what you were put through and what you continue to go through.