Soldier Said to Witness Prison Beatings

[wicket]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050728/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_suffocation_case

A National Guardsman testifying at a hearing for U.S. soldiers accused of killing an Iraq general said he saw classified U.S. personnel beat prisoners with a sledgehammer handle and mock the general's death, according to a transcript.

The transcript, obtained by The Denver Post, includes an exchange during the hearing that suggests the CIA was involved. Sgt. 1st Class Gerold Pratt of the Utah National Guard said he saw unidentified U.S. personnel use the 15-inch wooden handle to hit prisoners.

"They'd ask you a question, and if they didn't like it, they'd hit you," he said, according to the transcript obtained this week by the Post under a court order. Pratt testified at the hearing in March.

-snip-

Most identifying information in the transcript was redacted, but one exchange suggests CIA involvement. "To your knowledge, SFC Sommer did not accompany any of these CIA folks?" defense attorney Capt. Michael Melito asked Pratt.

[converted_democrat]

1. Damn.......n/t

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. This would either cause

an increase of the "insurgency".... "onsies and twosies mr. dumbsfeld" or it would make people think that they should be greatful for such treatment.... judging by what has happened... the first choice must be correct.

[wicket]

3. kick

:kick: