Video on Islamic militant Web site appears to show beheading of American

Msnbc Website ^ | 5/11/04 | MSNBC

[Dog Gone]

CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - A video posted Tuesday on an Islamic militant website appeared to show a group affiliated with al-Qaida beheading an American contractor in Iraq, saying the death was revenge for the prisoner-abuse scandal.

The video showed five men wearing headscarves and black ski masks, standing over a bound man in an orange jumpsuit - similar to a prisoner's uniform - who identified himself as Nick Berg, a U.S. contractor whose body was found near a highway overpass in Baghdad on Saturday.

"My name is Nick Berg, my father's name is Michael, my mother's name is Susan," the man said on the video. "I have a brother and sister, David and Sarah. I live in . . . Philadelphia."

After reading a statement, the men were seen pulling the man to his side and putting a large knife to his neck. A scream sounded as the men cut his head off, shouting "Allahu Akbar!" - "God is great!" They then held the head out before the camera.

"For the mothers and wives of American soldiers, we tell you that we offered the U.S. administration to exchange this hostage with some of the detainees in Abu Ghraib and they refused," one of the men read from a statement.

"So we tell you that the dignity of the Muslim men and women in Abu Ghraib and others is not redeemed except by blood and souls. You will not receive anything from us but coffins after coffins . . . slaughtered in this way."

The video bore the title "Abu Musab al-Zarqawi shown slaughtering an American." It was unclear whether al-Zarqawi - a lieutenant of Osama bin Laden - was shown in the video, or was claiming responsibility for ordering the execution.

The website on which the video was posted is known as a clearing house for al-Qaida and Islamic extremist groups' statements and tapes.

[YourAdHere]

Religion of peace, my a$$

[Rutles4Ever]

Looks like Hamill got away just in time. Rather, et al. were warned this would compromise the safety of Americans, yet they showed it anyhow. I wonder where Dan will send the flowers...

[BushisTheMan]

See post 59

[Arkinsaw]

They are saying it is Nick Berg of Philadelphia. They say he is a private contractor. They say he is owner of Prometheus Methods Tower Services.

If you look on this post you will find that Prometheus Tower Services was a sponsor of the "Global Day of Action". In other words, anti-war activist.

Global Day of Action Thread

[Christian4Bush]

"You are too kind....just give them the K+"

I agree with you, but since this is about being humane to those in our custody, they must receive a humane departure.

Please forgive my ignorance...what is "K+"?

[areafiftyone]

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) Relatives and U.S. officials said Tuesday a body found on a Baghdad highway overpass was that of an American civilian contract worker missing since April 9 the same day insurgents attacked a U.S. convoy west of the capital.

Also Tuesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said one Russian energy company worker was confirmed dead and two others abducted Monday when gunmen fired on their car south of Baghdad. An Iraqi serving as a bodyguard and translator was wounded, said Yevgeny Loginov, spokesman for the Interenergoservis energy company.

Gunmen attacked a U.S.-run civilian convoy operated by workers hired by a subcontractor of Kellogg Brown & Root in the western desert about 230 miles west of Baghdad, and a motorist said he saw six burned vehicles, including one Iraqi civilian car caught in the crossfire.

Although initial reports said some of the workers were missing and possibly abducted, Halliburton Corp. spokeswoman Wendy Hall said ''to our knowledge, all drivers have been accounted for.'' She said the workers had been hired by a subcontractor for Kellogg Brown & Root, a subsidiary of Halliburton.

The body found on the overpass was identified as Nick Berg, 26, of West Chester, Pa., a self-employed civilian contractor. Berg's body, with signs of trauma, was found Saturday, the military said.

The family was informed Monday of his death.

[P-Marlowe]

"The executioners said the man was killed in revenge for the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers."

I wrote to CBS and told them that the blood of Americans will be on their hands for releasing those photos. It has begun.

The only question is whether CBS will show this video. I doubt it. It would not serve their purpose of undermining the US Government.

Traitorous Ba$tard$!

[gilliam]

Wasn't it Hackworth who leaked the prison photos to the press? I don't know how he thinks he has the right to do that, but that is what I heard. I think he is still protesting the Vietnam war, with Kerry.

[dead]

You will not receive anything from us but coffins after coffins . . . slaughtered in this way.

Way to strengthen the will of the American people to finish this job.

This jackass won’t see December.

[Christian4Bush]

"Guess we can expect several apologies and hearings soon about this."

Yeah...WHFO...and the devil learns to ice skate...

[Glenn]

Southeast PA Man Missing In Iraq

May 7, 2004 5:27 pm US/Eastern PHILADELPHIA (KYW 1060) Among those missing in Iraq is a West Chester, Pa. man who went there on his own in March to inspect damaged radio towers.

Now, his parents, who haven't heard from him in a month are worried, and aren't getting a lot of help in their quest to track him down.

26-year-old Nick Berg didn't sign a privacy waiver when he went over there.

And even though the State Department is using its one person in Iraq to help track him down, they can't tell anyone, including Berg's parents what's going on.

And that frustrates his mother Susanne.

"I'm just really scared, because we haven't heard from him for a month, and truthfully, nobody can even tell us whether he's dead or alive."

The local congressional delegation hasn't gotten any answers, either.

Nick last checked in April 9th, saying he was trying to find a safe way home following two weeks of FBI interrogation, after an arrest in Mosul.

He was released after his identity and intentions were confirmed.

[SkyPilot]

Video Seems to Show Beheading of American

CAIRO, Egypt - A video posted Tuesday on an Islamic militant Web site appeared to show a group affiliated with al-Qaida beheading an American in Iraq (news - web sites), saying the death was revenge for the prisoner-abuse scandal.

The video showed five men wearing headscarves and black ski masks, standing over a bound man in an orange jumpsuit who identified himself as an American from Philadelphia.

After reading a statement, the men were seen pulling the man to his side and cutting off his head with a large knife. They then held the head out before the camera.

"We in the media are so proud!"

[texasflower]

The soldiers involved in this should be forced to watch this also.

[Billthedrill]

MSNBC's Take

Nice people.

[Frank_Discussion]

Perhaps he plumped his report to hurt Rummy, et al? MAybe, but the story posted reads with a lot of innuendo. I'm not saying you're wrong, but I'm not convinced he's anything other than a professional. Professionals can submerge there "embitterment" to do their duty.

[EGPWS]

Or we'll give them the "comfy chair" and the "soft pillows"

It would NEVER get to that extreme!

Why I don't see it ever getting past a simple anti-administration senate hearing to find out who is to blame for making these fine upstanding terrorist hate us so much.

[hattend]

Quick, get that video to Kennedy, Clinton and McCain! This is what real torture looks like.

Just heard the guy was identified on the tape as Nick Berg (sp...heard it just now on the news).

[Quilla]

Sometimes we need to step back and consider the source - the article you posted was a recap of another that appeared in The New York Times - not necessarily a beacon of truth.

[Rutles4Ever]

What an odd story. He went there to inspect radio towers on his own? And then he got interrogated by the FBI?