Brian Cloughley: What Has Happened to the US Army in Iraq?: the US occupation administrator, L Paul Bremer, [said] that 'we' ought to 'remind ourselves of a range of rights that Iraqis enjoy today because of the coalition's military victory.' Well, here is a description of some of the rights of women and children: 'Col. David Hogg, commander of the 2nd Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division, said tougher methods are being used to gather intelligence. On Wednesday night, he said, his troops picked up the wife and daughter of an Iraqi lieutenant general. They left a note: 'If you want your family released, turn yourself in.' Such tactics are justified, he said.'
Since when were wives and children deemed non-civilians? Are children to be used as bargaining counters? This is totally against the Geneva Conventions and against all human decency. The Nazis did this, dammit. It was one of their preferred tactics in occupied territories. Are the wife and children of Colonel Hogg considered combatants, just because he wears uniform? "
- posted by geoff @ #