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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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 Tue May 11, 2004 4:52 pm Video Shows Beheading of American in Iraq |
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| Quote: | Civilian Was in Iraq Looking for Contract Work
By NIKO PRICE, AP
[img]http://cdn.news.aol.com/aolnews_photos/04/00/20040511143609990028[/img]
CNN
The man in the video identified himself as Nick Berg.
BAGHDAD, Iraq (May 11) -- A video posted Tuesday on an Islamic militant Web site showed the beheading of an American civilian in Iraq, and said the execution was carried out by an al-Qaida affiliated group to avenge the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers.
The video showed five men wearing headscarves and black ski masks, standing over a bound man in an orange jumpsuit - similar to a prisoner's uniform - who identified himself as Nick Berg, a U.S. contractor whose body was found on a highway overpass in Baghdad on Saturday.
''My name is Nick Berg, my father's name is Michael, my mother's name is Susan,'' the man said on the video. ''I have a brother and sister, David and Sarah. I live in ... Philadelphia.''
After reading a statement, the men were seen pulling the man to his side and putting a large knife to his neck. A scream sounded as the men cut his head off, shouting ''Allahu Akbar!'' - ''God is great.'' They then held the head out before the camera.
Berg's family said Tuesday they knew their son had been decapitated, but didn't know the details of the killing. When told of the video by an Associated Press reporter, Berg's father, Michael, and his two siblings hugged and cried.
''I knew he was decapitated before. That manner is preferable to a long and torturous death. But I didn't want it to become public,'' Michael Berg said.
On the Web site, one of the executioners read a statement:
''For the mothers and wives of American soldiers, we tell you that we offered the U.S. administration to exchange this hostage with some of the detainees in Abu Ghraib and they refused.''
''So we tell you that the dignity of the Muslim men and women in Abu Ghraib and others is not redeemed except by blood and souls. You will not receive anything from us but coffins after coffins ... slaughtered in this way.''
The video bore the title ''Abu Musab al-Zarqawi shown slaughtering an American.'' It was unclear whether al-Zarqawi - a lieutenant of Osama bin Laden - was shown in the video, or was claiming responsibility for ordering the execution.
The Web site on which the video was posted is known as a clearing house for al-Qaida and Islamic extremist groups' statements and tapes. An audiotape purportedly from bin Laden - which the CIA said was probably authentic - appeared on the same Web site last week.
Western officials say al-Zarqawi, whose real name is Ahmad Fadhil al-Khalayleh, is a lieutenant of bin Laden. The United States has offered $10 million for information leading to the capture or killing of al-Zarqawi, saying he is trying to build a network of foreign militants in Iraq to work for al-Qaida.
In the video, the speaker threatened both President Bush and Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf.
''As for you Bush ... expect severe days. You and your soldiers will regret the day you stepped into the land of Iraq,'' he said. He described Musharraf as ''a traitor agent.''
The slaying recalled the kidnapping and videotaped beheading of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl in 2002 in Pakistan. Four Islamic militants have been convicted of kidnapping Pearl, but seven other suspects - including those who allegedly slit his throat - remain at large.
Suzanne Berg, the mother of the 26-year-old Berg, of West Chester, Pa., said her son was in Iraq as an independent businessman to help rebuild communication antennas. He had been missing since April 9, she said.
''He had this idea that he could help rebuild the infrastructure,'' she said.
The U.S. military Tuesday said an American civilian was found dead in Baghdad, but did not release his identity. State Department spokeswoman Susan Pittman said she couldn't release the name of the dead American, but said she not aware of more than one civilian found dead in recent days.
The military said there were signs of trauma to the body. Suzanne Berg said she was told her son's death was violent but did not want to discuss details.
Berg, who was in Baghdad from late December to Feb. 1, returned to Iraq in March. He didn't find any work and planned again to return home on March 30, but his daily communications home stopped on March 24. He later told his parents he was jailed by Iraqi officials at a checkpoint in Mosul.
''He was arrested and held without due process,'' his father, Michael Berg, told the Daily Local News of West Chester recently. ''By the time he got out the whole area was inflamed with violence.
The FBI on March 31 interviewed Berg's parents in West Chester. Jerri Williams, a spokeswoman for the Philadelphia FBI office, told The Philadelphia Inquirer the agency had been ''asked to interview the parents regarding Mr. Berg's purpose in Iraq.''
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.
The Bergs last heard from their son April 9, when he said he would come home by way of Jordan, Turkey or Kuwait. But by then, hostilities in Iraq had escalated.
Suzanne Berg on Tuesday 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.''
05/11/04 13:58 EDT
Copyright 2004 The Associated Press.
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*beep* THEM.
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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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| Tue May 11, 2004 4:56 pm |
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Absolutly discusting. Now they have no right to be whining about the American abuse.
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Tue May 11, 2004 5:03 pm |
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Horrifying...I would agree, Janeway, but we must keep this in perspective: It is NOT EVEN CLOSE the the majority of Iraqis that do these things. These are just evil, messed up groups of people...
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Tue May 11, 2004 5:14 pm |
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Who cares? It's also not the majority of our soldiers, hell, it's not even the minority. It's the bastards, same on both sides. But at least, and not condoing anything, at least it was prisoners that the Americans messed with, not CIVILIANS.
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Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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harrykims#1fan
Fan Girl Muskateer
Joined: 08 Feb 2002
Posts: 2916
Location: Leicester UK
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| Wed May 12, 2004 3:39 am |
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| Theresa wrote: | | Who cares? It's also not the majority of our soldiers, hell, it's not even the minority. It's the bastards, same on both sides. But at least, and not condoing anything, at least it was prisoners that the Americans messed with, not CIVILIANS. |
I Totally agree i've only just read it in this mornings paper 
what sort of sick people would kill a civillian anyways
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Jeremy
J's Guy
Joined: 03 Oct 2002
Posts: 7823
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
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| Wed May 12, 2004 5:01 am |
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I agree that it's totally sick. The thing (I am NOT saying this is right, but a reason for it maybe) is that if they do attack American solidiers they are likely to be killed or kill the solidiers, so they won't get prisoners. That would maybe be the reason they're attacking civillians. Also in some polls it's believed that about 90% of Iraq prisoners are innocent. If this is true which I don't believe that number, but a smaller % will be, then some of the people bullied etc by the American and British soliders would actually be innocent civillians. Neither of these actions is right and both are totally sick.
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Oliver
Thought Maker
Joined: 28 Feb 2004
Posts: 6096
Location: Antwerp, Belgium
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| Wed May 12, 2004 7:33 am |
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I've just seen the beheading on Belgian TV news about an hour ago... It's just gross... I have no words
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Leo Wyatt
Sweetest Angel
Joined: 25 Feb 2004
Posts: 19045
Location: Investigating A Crime Scene. What did Quark do this time?
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| Wed May 12, 2004 7:34 am |
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Sick indeed. Makes me worry about Charlie when he goes back to Iraq in a few months. But I think he is smart enough not to get captaure, I think he die first. Or die fighting.
I don't know what he wouild do. Hope come back home to me.
All this news is heartbreaking. Makes me angry.
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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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| Wed May 12, 2004 7:38 am |
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| Oliver wrote: | | I've just seen the beheading on Belgian TV news about an hour ago... It's just gross... I have no words |
They aired all of it?
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harrykims#1fan
Fan Girl Muskateer
Joined: 08 Feb 2002
Posts: 2916
Location: Leicester UK
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| Wed May 12, 2004 7:48 am |
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that is real sick it shouldn't be shown on TV 
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Captain Dappet
Forum Revolutionist
Joined: 06 Feb 2002
Posts: 16756
Location: On my supersonic rocket ship.
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| Wed May 12, 2004 11:52 am |
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People do sick things in war. I spoke with a UN-soldier, who fought in Bosnia today, and these things are things a person is capable of after experiencing certain things in war. I should not even mention things they did in Bosnia. Things that he saw with his own eyes.
Don't get me wrong, this action is not forgiveable in any way.
Oh, and another interesting fact: In the First World War, 10% of the people affected severely were civilians. In modern times it is between 90-95%.
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Pah-Wraith
Sheikh
Joined: 30 Nov 2001
Posts: 6012
Location: Londonistan.
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| Wed May 12, 2004 12:43 pm |
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I am not entirely surprised this happened to tell the truth (Note: I don't support the Actions of Islamic Extremism or Militants) Go to any Islamic Website Forum and you'll see the reaction that the Soldiers who comitted the Human Rights Violations. "Satanic degradation" was the termology used by most Muslims and I knew that it would result in a Live Stoning, Flogging or Beheading by an Al-Qaeda affiliated Group. I find this a disgusting matter especially due to the fact that Shariah Law (Islamic Laws of Conduct) clearly forbid the Slaughter of Innocent Civilians and they are supposed to be granted Asylum. However I think whether they are Prisoners or Civilians these days is irrelevant, Human Rights must be observed when it comes to both.
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Oliver
Thought Maker
Joined: 28 Feb 2004
Posts: 6096
Location: Antwerp, Belgium
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| Wed May 12, 2004 1:28 pm |
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| JanewayIsHott wrote: | | Oliver wrote: | | I've just seen the beheading on Belgian TV news about an hour ago... It's just gross... I have no words |
They aired all of it? |
Not all of it, but the 'important' parts. The part where they recite some verses, the beheading and the part where they hold the victims head and recite some more verses...
In Europe, I've noticed, we get to see more, less cencorship. Sex, violence and all that... But don't misunderstand, I grew up with all that and I turned out okay...
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Sonic74205
Rear Admiral
Joined: 01 Feb 2004
Posts: 4081
Location: England
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| Wed May 12, 2004 1:52 pm |
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^
we dont see anything like that in england
they show a few clips on the news but just a few seconds of some of the stuff they was sayin and thats all, it is actually getting really annoying cuz they always say that blah blah blah air in another country last night but we dont see anything
although we do get told the whole story
...
i think it's just appauling, everything thats happening...this is getting out of hand FAST!
and it's obviouse that neither side is going to back down anytime soon.
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Wed May 12, 2004 3:44 pm |
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| Captain Dappet wrote: | People do sick things in war. I spoke with a UN-soldier, who fought in Bosnia today, and these things are things a person is capable of after experiencing certain things in war. I should not even mention things they did in Bosnia. Things that he saw with his own eyes.
Don't get me wrong, this action is not forgiveable in any way.
Oh, and another interesting fact: In the First World War, 10% of the people affected severely were civilians. In modern times it is between 90-95%. |
That's to be expected, I would think that the number would be nearer 100%. But there are things called "Rules of Engagement", or, rules of war. Clearly violated here.
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Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Monkey
Captain
Joined: 05 Feb 2004
Posts: 833
Location: On a quest you probably wouldn't believe.
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| Wed May 12, 2004 5:25 pm |
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Why on earth is there so much hubub over a single life?
Must I remind you ppl of the near 3 million civillians that had thier skin burned off?
Why do you ppl claim that justafiable saying it was in a time of war but that this is unacceptable and disgusting?
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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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| Wed May 12, 2004 5:26 pm |
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| Oliver wrote: | | JanewayIsHott wrote: | | Oliver wrote: | | I've just seen the beheading on Belgian TV news about an hour ago... It's just gross... I have no words |
They aired all of it? |
Not all of it, but the 'important' parts. The part where they recite some verses, the beheading and the part where they hold the victims head and recite some more verses...
In Europe, I've noticed, we get to see more, less cencorship. Sex, violence and all that... But don't misunderstand, I grew up with all that and I turned out okay... |
That seems somewhat perverse that they would air the film in its entirety on live television.
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Wed May 12, 2004 9:38 pm |
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| Monkey wrote: | Why on earth is there so much hubub over a single life?
Must I remind you ppl of the near 3 million civillians that had thier skin burned off?
Why do you ppl claim that justafiable saying it was in a time of war but that this is unacceptable and disgusting? |
Until you learn the value of life, be it one, or 3 million, refrain from posting in WN.
-------signature-------
Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Wed May 12, 2004 9:39 pm |
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Why is there a MUCH larger uproar about the prisoner abuse in the liberal US media?
And why is there little, NOT no, outcry from the Arabs?
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Wed May 12, 2004 9:43 pm |
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Why is the world so quick to blast the US for the actions of a few, but they sit idly buy while this happens?
-------signature-------
Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Jeremy
J's Guy
Joined: 03 Oct 2002
Posts: 7823
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
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| Thu May 13, 2004 6:35 am |
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Actually the Arabs have condemned it. I heard it on the News. It's not been covered very much, but the beheading has been condemned. Also I think one of the reasons that America and Britain is being condemned is because they went into Iraq going to free it from things like that. Since the things that the colalition were stopping has been done by the some of the coalition (albeit by a few people) then there is the outcry. Also a lot of the complaint (at least in Britain) is directed at the ministers because they ignored Amnesty International's and the Red Cross/ Crescent's warning about this happening, when it is such a mojor issue.
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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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| Thu May 13, 2004 7:24 am |
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Well obviously someone was paying attention or this whole story wouldn't have gotten out.
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Oliver
Thought Maker
Joined: 28 Feb 2004
Posts: 6096
Location: Antwerp, Belgium
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| Thu May 13, 2004 9:49 am |
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| JanewayIsHott wrote: | | Oliver wrote: | | JanewayIsHott wrote: | | Oliver wrote: | | I've just seen the beheading on Belgian TV news about an hour ago... It's just gross... I have no words |
They aired all of it? |
Not all of it, but the 'important' parts. The part where they recite some verses, the beheading and the part where they hold the victims head and recite some more verses...
In Europe, I've noticed, we get to see more, less cencorship. Sex, violence and all that... But don't misunderstand, I grew up with all that and I turned out okay... |
That seems somewhat perverse that they would air the film in its entirety on live television. |
I wouldn't call it perverse. Perverse would be showing the video many times on end and laughing or making fun of what was shown. That's not the case. The viewers were warned and it was aired on the late news which meant that most children were sleeping.
I strongly believe that the news has a moral obligation to show what is going on, whether it's gross or not. Facts should not be filtered out or censored.
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Jeremy
J's Guy
Joined: 03 Oct 2002
Posts: 7823
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
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| Thu May 13, 2004 12:06 pm |
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| JanewayIsHott wrote: | | Well obviously someone was paying attention or this whole story wouldn't have gotten out. |
The story about the abuse came out because a paper published photographs that the government now claim are fake.
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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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| Thu May 13, 2004 9:05 pm |
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They claim that SOME are fake.
Also, I heard what his dad had to say, and it horrified me:
"Mr. Bush and Rumsfeld are responsible for my sons death. My son died for the sins of this administration. THE TERRORISTS MIGHT EVEN BE THAT BAD"*
*not exact, but no exageration
That absolutly is the most apalling thing that I have ever heard.
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