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US Training of Death Squads in Iraq? - War Is A Crime .org

US Training of Death Squads in Iraq? - War Is A Crime .org

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Meanwhile, frantic negotiations cont<strong>in</strong>ued to free the men, whose arrest had sent Basra <strong>in</strong>to nearanarchy with<strong>in</strong> the space <strong>of</strong> less than two hours.Images <strong>of</strong> the men <strong>in</strong> captivity were available after television cameramen from Arab satellitebroadcasters <strong>in</strong> the Persian Gulf were allowed <strong>in</strong> to the jail. Seated on the floor <strong>of</strong> what lookedlike a prison cell, their hands tied beh<strong>in</strong>d their backs, the men stared directly <strong>in</strong>to the cameralens.Their clothes - pla<strong>in</strong> T-shirts and ch<strong>in</strong>os - were spattered with blood. One had a bandagewrapped around his head, the other also had a head <strong>in</strong>jury, which had been dressed.The television commentary, <strong>in</strong> Arabic, identified them only as Britons. A prov<strong>in</strong>cial councilspokesman for Basra, Nnadhim al-Jabari, confirmed that they were likely to go before an <strong>Iraq</strong>icourt.Calm then descended on the city. In London, the M<strong>in</strong>istry <strong>of</strong> Defence would give no detailsabout the talks aimed at secur<strong>in</strong>g the men, a spokesman say<strong>in</strong>g only that they were cont<strong>in</strong>u<strong>in</strong>g "tothrash out with <strong>Iraq</strong>i authorities what is happen<strong>in</strong>g and what can be done".Then, just before midday, a solution <strong>of</strong> sorts appeared to have been found. Reports com<strong>in</strong>g out <strong>of</strong>Basra described how up to ten British tanks, possibly Challenger 2 Ma<strong>in</strong> Battle Tanks, possibly<strong>War</strong>rior Infantry Fight<strong>in</strong>g Vehicles, had stormed the jail where the two men were be<strong>in</strong>g held.Witnesses said that they had smashed down a wall to ga<strong>in</strong> entry. The operation was said to bebacked up by helicopters. The witnesses said that up to 150 prisoners took the opportunity toescape through the wall <strong>in</strong> the confusion.The British military action was condemned as "barbaric, savage and irresponsible" byMohammed al-Waili, the governor <strong>of</strong> the prov<strong>in</strong>ce. "A British force <strong>of</strong> more than 10 tanksbacked by helicopters attacked the central jail and destroyed it. This is an irresponsible act," thegovernor said.The M<strong>in</strong>istry <strong>of</strong> Defence <strong>in</strong> London confirmed that the soldiers had been released, but said thathad been achieved by "negotiation". Its explanation is unlikely to assuage the anger on the streets<strong>of</strong> the southern <strong>Iraq</strong>i city, which has so far been relatively calm compared with the daily violencethat has scarred much <strong>of</strong> the rest <strong>of</strong> the country.As an uneasy peace was ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> the city last night, all the <strong>in</strong>dications were that yesterday'sviolence could be repeated today.news.<strong>in</strong>dependent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article313848.ece© 2005 Independent News & Media (UK) Ltd.More Blatant Lies From CNN!Jesse, Editor , TVNewsLIES.<strong>org</strong>211

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