Abused by Americans

May 1, 2004

GRUESOME PHOTOS of Iraqi prisoners, hooded and wired, some naked, with American soldiers laughing at their humiliation do not put the United States in the same despicable category as Saddam Hussein. Torture and murder were instruments of state policy under Saddam. President Bush yesterday expressed "deep disgust" over the incidents and a determination to see perpetrators disciplined.

That said, the story is one not only of depravity but also of colossal stupidity. How could these Americans not know that in addition to persecuting the detainees in gross violation of the Geneva Conventions, they would subject the already fragile US occupation of Iraq to global condemnation?

Disciplinary action against those responsible must be carried forward with determination and dispatch. But that is not enough. A thorough investigation is needed to learn:

Who knew about the incidents and why they weren't reported immediately.

Whether there was an attempt at cover-up, either of the actions or the photos, which were taken by a soldier and aired Wednesday night on CBS's "60 Minutes II."

How widespread is the mistreatment of prisoners. The British are investigating eight such allegations against their own troops.

Whether part of the problem may be the use of Army Reserve units rather than better-trained regular Army soldiers as prison guards.

Whether guards are encouraged to "soften up" detainees for interrogation.

Whether nonmilitary advisers had a role.

Because it is unlikely that the Pentagon could carry out such an investigation with credibility, Congress or another independent authority should conduct the probe.

These steps must be taken so a repetition is less likely and in an attempt to regain the credibility of the world community.

Remarks from Arab commentators were hot, and sometimes excessive. Reuters quoted Abdel-Bari Atwan, editor of the newspaper Al Quds Al Arabi, as saying, "The liberators are worse than the dictators."

But even allies, including Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair, were justifiably angry. And a leading Italian newspaper said the photos were proof of "clear, classic, and irrefutable torture." Italians are understandably worried that the Iraqis holding three Italians hostage will not be moved to compassion when they see the pictures.

Of the US soldiers so far implicated, six face criminal charges that could lead to courts-martial, three others are being investigated, and seven officers face noncriminal disciplinary action. In all cases, the persons involved and the circumstances should be made public.

The notorious Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad was a literal dead end for thousands of Iraqis who crossed paths with Saddam. Now a group of joking GIs has tossed bombs along the path of their own occupation.

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