Pa. family angry with American government over son's brutal death

pennlive ^ | 5/11/2004, 2:34 p.m. ET | By JASON STRAZIUSO

[Petronski]

WEST CHESTER, Pa. (AP) — The family of an American civilian shown beheaded on an Islamic militant Web site huddled in in tears Tuesday after learning of the existence of the graphic videotape.

The video showed Nick Berg, 26, in a staged execution carried out by an al-Qaida affiliated group. The video said the killing was to avenge the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers.

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

Berg's family said U.S. State Department officials on Monday had told them Berg was decapitated. The family, though, had wanted that information to remain private.

When told about news of the Web site Nick Berg's father, brother and sister, collapsed to the ground in a tearful hug in their front yard.

"I knew he was decapitated before," said the father, Michael Berg. "That manner is preferable to a long and torturous death. But I didn't want it to become public."

Michael Berg lashed out at the U.S. military and Bush administration, saying his son might still be alive had he not been detained by U.S. officials in Iraq without being charged and without access to a lawyer.

Nick Berg, a small telecommunications business owner, spoke to his parents on March 24 and told them he would return home on March 30. But Berg was detained by Iraqi police at a checkpoint in Mosul on March 24. He was turned over to U.S. officials and detained for 13 days.

His father, Michael, said his son wasn't allowed to make phone calls or contact a lawyer.

FBI agents visited Berg's parents in West Chester on March 31 and told the family they were trying to confirm their son's identity. On April 5, the Bergs filed suit in federal court in Philadelphia, contending that their son was being held illegally by the U.S. military. The next day Berg was released. He told his parents he hadn't been mistreated.

Michael Berg said he blamed the U.S. government for creating circumstances that led to his son's death. He said if his son hadn't been detained for so long, he might have been able to leave the country before the violence worsened.

"I think a lot of people are fed up with the lack of civil rights this thing has caused," he said. "I don't think this administration is committed to democracy."

The Bergs last heard from their son April 9, when he said he would come home by way of Jordan.

Berg had traveled several times to Third World countries to help spread technology, his family said. He had previously traveled to Kenya and Ghana, where they said he had purchased a $900 brick-making press for a poor village, the family said.

Berg's mother, Suzanne Berg, said her son was in Iraq to help rebuild communication antennas.

"He had this idea that he could help rebuild the infrastructure," she said.

Michael Berg described himself as fervently anti-war, but said his son disagreed with him.

"He was a Bush supporter," Berg said. "He looked at it as bringing democracy to a country that didn't have it."

Suzanne Berg said she was told her son's body would be transported to Kuwait and then to Dover, Del. She said the family had been trying for weeks to learn where their son was but that federal officials had not been helpful.

"I went through this with them for weeks," she said. "I basically ended up doing most of the investigating myself."

[onyx]

Your comments are YOURS
and I AGREE with YOU!

Feel the burn?

[onyx]

Maybe Nightline will air this?
(sarcasm off)

[AmishDude]

It's www.fec.gov. Michael Berg of Pennsylvania does not show up.

[Petronski]

Thanks a lot. :O)

[familyofman]

"He's not 'just a Quaker' who is anti-war. He's active in the work of A.N.S.W.E.R."

Many Quakers were very active in the antiwar movement in the VietNam years - at least at Penn State where I was. A lot of those Quakers were from the Philly area. Being Quaker does not exclude being active in doing what your faith and religion tell you you should do.

[mhking]

His father, Michael, said his son wasn't allowed to make phone calls or contact a lawyer.

Uh, terrorists don't allow phone calls!!!!!

[cwb]

Looking at that website...and seeing the coordination between the anti-war movement and all these various Arab/Muslim organizations, reminds me so much of the Soviet's influence in the USA during the Vietnam War. There isn't a thing organized Muslims/Mosques do in this country without the permission/direction, help and resources of the Motherland.

[RGSpincich]

What is that?

The case filed by the parents against the USA pertaining to Nick's detention in Iraq. They withdrew it when he was released.

[Howlin]

And nobody seems to notice.

[Mycropht]

I don't know for sure and this is the wildest conspiracy theory but consider the facts:

Sometime prior to 20 March 2004 the father signs the ANSWER petition and affixes the company name "Prometheus...etc." (In Greek Mythology, Prometheus was the bringer of Fire to mankind).

On 24 March 2004 the son is traveling in the regionwithout employment, and gave his name and company name to the checkpoint guard.

At this point he was detained. Perhaps it is more than possible that the appearance of his company's name on the petition of a known subversive organization, coupled with his seemingly unneccessary presence in the region led to his detention.

In other words, maybe Michael Berg needs to rethink his own actions.

Please don't misunderstand. I feel terrible for this family and cannot fathom the depths of their grief. Yet I also think there are things you just should think about before you do.

[churchillbuff]

In other words, there is *NO* reason to believe *ANYTHING* this scumbag says.

He's lost his son to this unnecessary war. How many relatives do you have in Iraq right helping the war you support so fervently? Calling this grieving father a scumbag is low.

[onyx]

Don't worry about the aspersions directed at you.
I know your outrage is aimed in the right direction.

[OldFriend]

It seems that most DUmmies think only Americans can be guilty of evil deeds. How sad for them. They side with those who would kill them in a heartbeat.

[Rastus]

What's this about Hackworth? I've disliked the guy since before his rise to fame on the 24-hour news shows, but I haven't heard the latest. He have something to do with the pictures being released?

[Petronski]

They side with those who would kill them in a heartbeat.

That was kinda my point in #35 (look who Mr. Berg supported, and look who killed his son).

[Ann Archy]

The son worked for the father?? I thought the dad was a teacher. Your scenario could be right on, tho.

[Starve The Beast]

"He was a Bush supporter," Berg said.

Yeah. And I'm Spiderman.

[cwb]

"He's lost his son to this unnecessary war."

Hahaha. Not to be disparaging, but I always laugh when I see your screen name followed by some of your comments:)

[Petronski]

His posts are not worthy of his screenname. Chamberlainbuff would be far more appropriate.

[PISANO]

He's lost his son to this unnecessary war

BS....he lost his son to the AL QAEDA. Typical leftist thinking. Mr. Berg was responsible for going to IRAQ, unless he was KIDNAPPED, he made a CHOICE to go to a war zone. Even if this WAR as YOU SAY is UNNECESSARY, it has NOTHING to do with HIS DEATH!! IT WAS HIS CHOICE and it was AL QAEDA'S ACTION that caused his death.