Families frustrated by delayed releases
BAGHDAD -- Hundreds of Iraqis waited for hours outside a Baghdad prison yesterday in hopes their relatives would be included in a much-publicized release. About 80 men were freed, but US officials said they weren't part of the amnesty, and most Iraqi families left disappointed and angry at America.
"Liars! Liars! They won't let them out!" one woman screamed in dismay before fainting. A coalition spokesman insisted the prisoner release was on track, but would be done quietly for reasons of "security and privacy."
US administrator L. Paul Bremer III announced Wednesday that US occupation forces would free 506 of some 12,800 Iraqi detainees. The first 100 were to be released yesterday from Abu Ghraib prison, Bremer said.
Bremer said the amnesty was a conciliatory gesture as the United States seeks to win goodwill. Other coalition officials said they hoped it would encourage more people to come forward with intelligence tips.
However, the exercise appeared to have the opposite effect.
At first light, hundreds of Iraqis gathered at the prison in hopes of greeting loved ones. As the hours passed, the crowd grew frustrated.
Late in the afternoon, two truckloads of prisoners emerged from the compound, driven a half-mile away and deposited in the middle of the road.
People rushed to their cars in pursuit, and a chaotic scene ensued as prisoners hugged and kissed relatives.
But that was a routine release of about 80 prisoners who were not covered by Bremer's amnesty, said Lieutenant Colonel Roy Shere, a spokesman for the 800th Military Police Brigade, which runs prisons in Iraq. Most of those gathered outside the prison did not find their loved ones.
Those released appeared to include those loyal to Hussein -- as well as people who said they were simply in the wrong place when US troops were attacked. Basel Basel, 25, was arrested in July in the northern city of Mosul on suspicion of "planning attacks against Americans" and seemed to think he was among prisoners granted amnesty.
If amnesties continue, he said, "maybe there will be a reconciliation [because] all these people inside are innocent," said Basel, a former member of the Fedayeen Saddam militia.
As he spoke, he was overwhelmed with questions about prisoners.
Coalition officials insisted the amnesty release program was on track. "[Bremer] said that approximately 100 would be ready to be released today. They are ready," coalition spokesman Dan Senor said. But he said their release was being held up as officials waited for guarantors for their good conduct to step forward.
At the prison, tribal and religious leaders wanted to know to whom they should present themselves as guarantors.
"I don't trust the Americans. They are making more enemies for themselves now by arresting innocent people," said Jassin Rasheed, whose brother Omar was detained two months ago after fighting with a fellow security guard at an oil installation.
US assurances were little comfort to Ahlam Abdel Wahed, who waited more than nine hours for a son arrested at her home a month ago, to no avail. "We heard of the [amnesty] decision, and I came running to here. Why did they do that?" she said, crying.
