Abu Ghraib abuse just tip of the iceberg: author

http://www.khaleejtimes.ae/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/focusoniraq/2007/August/focusoniraq_August110.xml§ion=focusoniraq

19 August 2007



WASHINGTON - Those people truly to blame for the degrading treatment of Iraqi prisoners in Baghdad’s infamous Abu Ghraib jail remain in the shadows, while such abuses continue unchecked and unseen.

That’s the view of American author Tara McKelvey, who sought to uncover the truth behind the 2004 scandal in her book “Monstering: Inside America’s Policy of Secret Interrogations and Torture in the Terror War.”

Asked who was really responsible ahead of the trial of the only US military officer charged with tormenting Iraqis at the jail, McKelvey replied: “That’s the million dollar question. That’s what everyone wants to know.”

Lieutenant Colonel Steven Jordan, 51, goes on trial on Monday on charges, which include cruelty and mistreatment of detainees, making false statements, obstruction of justice and disobeying orders.

McKelvey hopes the hearing will provide some answers as to why US soldiers forced their Iraqi prisoners to strip, form naked human pyramids, parade on all fours with leashes chains on their necks, and threatened them with dogs. snip

“People try to blame Bush, they blame Cheney, they blame Rumsfeld. But chasing that chain of command is difficult, partly because so much of these documents and the photographs have been withheld from the public,” said McKelvey.

White House, and it isn't the cheese.