Posted on 08/27/2003 8:36:33 AM PDT by Born Conservative
Ashley-based soldiers face hearing today Supporters of troops accused of beating Iraqis gripe about camp where probe started. By LAUREN ROTH lroth@leader.net
As four Ashley-based military police officers head to a hearing today on charges they assaulted Iraqi prisoners, the soldiers' supporters describe disorder, incompetence and mistakes by commanders at Camp Bucca. "Those that initiated this ridiculous investigation and those that perpetuated the volatile circumstances will feel the burden of responsibility that this series of injustices command," wrote David Girman, brother of one of the reservists, in an eight-page letter to congressmen and media.
From phone calls and e-mails between the soldiers and their families, the allegations against the reservists' supervisors in Iraq include:
A major Iraqi military leader was released after a supervisor misidentified him as a farmer.
Four prisoners escaped, in part because military police said they feared being charged with prisoner abuse if they touched them.
At least one riot, which one accused soldier attributed to missteps by a commanding officer, endangered soldiers and resulted in the shooting of rioting prisoners. Members of the local unit intervened to save the threatened soldiers, and were to be considered for Bronze Stars for their valor. The Army has acknowledged some truth in the statements.
"There certainly was a prisoner that was inadvertently released," said Col. Rick Thomas, Chief of Public Affairs with the Army's Central Command in Georgia. He said Camp Bucca is the only permanent internment facility for enemy prisoners of war in Iraq.
"There was an investigation," which recommended no punishment but concluded "we shouldn't have done it," Thomas said. There was some action taken, however. "We enhanced the accountability process and attempted to recapture the individual," an effort that was not immediately successful. Thomas said he did not recall the name of the prisoner or when the incident occurred.
There were also "some" escapes, Thomas said, but said he wasn't sure if four was the exact number or whether they had escaped from detention or transport.
The hearing before an investigating officer stems from accusations the four reservists mistreated prisoners on May 12.
On that day, 44 prisoners arrived at Camp Bucca on a bus and were escorted to a processing center by members of the Ashley-based 320th Military Police Battalion. Ten soldiers were initially investigated for punching, kicking and breaking the bones of some of those prisoners. Four were charged in the incident - Master Sgt. Lisa Girman, 35, Sgt. 1st Class Scott McKenzie, 38, Sgt. Shawna Edmondson, 24, and Spc. Tim Canjar, 21. McKenzie has told his family in e-mails that the prisoners were resisting and attacked Canjar and Girman.
"Every service member always has the right to self-defense," Thomas responded in an e-mail. "In all of our training at the Military Police School, Military Police men and women are trained continuously on how to work in a myriad of environments and how to temper reactions based on the situation, while preserving the safety of individuals and maintaining the humane treatment of those under their care and supervision."
According to the Rules of Engagement, posted online in the Training and Doctrine Digital Library, "The commander is responsible for security measures that effectively control EPWs (Enemy Prisoners of War) with minimal use of force," and "Commanders balance the physical security of forces with mission accomplishment and ROE (Rules of Engagement)."
Thomas said additional rules may be imposed by commanders, but "we never discuss Rules of Engagement except in very broad perspective." McKenzie told his family the rules about handling prisoners changed frequently and were often unduly restrictive.
As for the description of at least one riot, on Palm Sunday, Thomas said he does not know what caused it. Lisa Girman said through her brother that a supervisor didn't make good on promises to prisoners, including extra food, clothing and expedited hearings.
"There was some kind of disturbance on the 13th of April," said Col. Rick Thomas, but no Bronze Stars are on the way for the participating soldiers. "No individuals were put in just for that incident," he said. The awards have only been requested for exemplary tours of duty, not individual acts, he said.
The reservists' accusations about the conditions at Camp Bucca are expected to surface at the Article 32 hearing, which one Judge Advocate General said could last two weeks. Both the Army and the reservists will have the opportunity to present and cross-examine witnesses.
The soldiers have found much support locally. A rally Saturday in Wilkes-Barre drew 200 people and at least four federal lawmakers have appealed to the Army on their behalf, including Rep. Don Sherwood, R-Tunkhannock, Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Philadelphia, and Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pittsburgh.
Thomas said abuse of prisoners cannot go unchecked, however. "The brutality of the Iraqi regime is well-documented. In our society, enemy prisoners of war are treated with humanity and respect," he wrote. "When allegations to the contrary are raised, a thorough investigation is appropriate and imperative."
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