The USA, having set out to "shock and awe" in Iraq,
and succeeding admirably, now seems to be causing
revulsion and disgust among its own lawmakers.

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Last Update: Thursday, May 13, 2004. 9:28am (AEST)

New Iraq abuse photos revolt US senators

By Leigh Sales and Lisa Millar and agencies

US lawmakers have expressed their revulsion after seeing more
unpublished photos and videos of the abuse and torture of prisoners 
in Iraq by US troops during a closed viewing of material held by the
Pentagon.

"I expected that these pictures would be very hard on the stomach
lining and they are significantly worse than anything I had
anticipated," said Ron Wyden, a Democrat senator.

"Take the worst case and multiply it several times over. This means
that it is so urgent that steps are taken to try to repair the
damage," he said.

A special showing of the pictures and videos of the abuse at the Abu
Ghraib prison near Baghdad was held in a secure room at the Senate
building.

Pentagon staff took the photos to Capital Hill and gave Senators three
hours to examine them.

There were strict rules surrounding the viewing. Senate staffers were
not permitted inside and no copies of the material could be taken.

Senator Bill Nelson, a Democrat, said the pictures were "disgusting,
disappointing."

The Bush Administration is still deciding whether it wants to release
the images publicly, according to White House spokesman, Scott
McClellan.

"The Pentagon has to look at factors, such as the on-going criminal
investigations that are under way. That's first and foremost," he
said.

On one hand, the Administration believes more revolting pictures could
further inflame the Arab world and opposition in Iraq.

But on the other hand, if the images continue dripping out, the
scandal could drag on for weeks or months.

There are also suggestions that withholding the photos could lead to
accusations the US Government is trying to cover up the story.

Speaking a day after the release of a video showing an American
beheaded in Iraq, a top Senate committee chairman said the release of
more images could encourage more attacks on Americans.

Lawmakers viewed the images as two additional US military police
guards were charged in the case, bringing to nine the number of
soldiers now facing courts-martial over the scandal.

US army Sergeant Javal Davis and US army Staff Sergeant Ivan Frederick
both face general courts-martial, each on five charges that include
maltreatment of prisoners and assault.

Officials have said that army Specialist Jeremy Sivits will be the
first to face trial next month on charges of photographing "nude
detainees forced into a human pyramid position" and "escorting the
detainees to be positioned in a pile on the floor to be assaulted by
other soldiers".

Meanwhile the female army private seen in initial photos of abuse says
she was acting on instructions from her superiors.

Lynndie England is facing charges of assaulting prisoners, and
conspiring to mistreat them.

The 21-year-old woman is seen smiling in some of the photos, standing
next to naked prisoners.

In another, Ms England holds a leash tied around a prisoner's neck,
but she says she was only following orders.

"I was told to stand there, point, give a thumbs up, smile, look at
the camera, take the picture," she said.

She says superior officers looked at the photos and told them the
tactics were working.

She says she and other soldiers sometimes felt weird posing for the
photographs but believed they were doing their jobs.

Asked if worse things went on at the prison she replied yes, but
refused to give any details.

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Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation ...
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1107225.htm

Cheers, Steve...

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