Time for truth about detention in Afghanistan
Lt Col Asad Khan, featured in "Taliban Country", a film which alleges abusive detention techniques by US Marines in remote Uruzgan province, in central Afghanistan, has retired from the US Military.
The Pakistani-American marine Lt Col was mysteriously relieved of command in September 2004, only a month after the airing of the documentary on Australian television. Footage shows him working closely with warlord Jan Mohammed, who jokes about sexually and physically abusing his subjects, and whose militia colleagues joke about opium production in the region. In "Taliban Country" villagers in Uruzgan allege independently that Khan's battalion humiliated and abused them while in detention.
Lt Col Khan was reassigned to administrative duties shortly after the return of his battalion from Afghanistan, where he was known by troops as "Ghengis Khan." His "relief of command" was not open to appeal, nor were the reasons for his controversial reassignment made public.
In early 2005 he reported to a Marine blog that he has taken a position in a security consulting firm in the Middle East.
The question remains: did the US Marines blame Lt Col Khan for abuses which were ordered from higher up the chain of command?
Two military inquiries resulted from "Taliban Country," the results of which have not been made public. Additionally the long awaited US Military "Jacoby Report" into detention in Afghanistan, set to be released in June 2004, has still not been released. The public deserves to know what our military is doing in remote regions in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, older reports claim that at least 500 people are being held in detention by the US Military in Afghanistan, but current information is not available. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, "New York-based Human Rights First says secrecy about the prisoners is also increasing, citing the refusal of military officials to discuss the number of prisoners in Afghanistan since January."
Labels: abuse, afghanistan, command responsibility
posted by JG @ 6:17 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
I have been in touch with many people in high places regarding this incident and when I can, I'll tell the full story. What I can tell you now is that I was with 22nd MEU before and during the time Carmella Baranowska (Taliban Country) was there. I can tell you her claims are a bit exagerrated. I also have video evidence that directly contridicts the assumptions put forth in this slanted piece of journalism.
Dave Tate
dtate38@cox.net
Once again the truth is twisted and used to meet journalists ends, sensationalism. The "abuse" shown in Taliban Country is skewed. The claims that the Marines fondled prisoners was actually free medical exams for the locals. Just like the Marines dug wells for people who spent half a day traveling for water. The relief of command was political. The regimental Col. didnt get enough credit for what 1/6 did and there was complaint about how Khan treated his officers, one of which was a Generals son. So remember what you see on TV and read on the internet always has more to it and just use your brain. People that volunteer to risk there lives for others cant all be bad. yet they cant be perfect either, just lke all those who chose to stay home and enjoy what other volunteer to protect. Noone chooses to be a Marine, of all branches, because they hate people.
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