Do you want to know why the world didn’t jump to protest Iran’s treatment of British prisoners? Here’s a clue:
German prosecutors said Thursday they will make a new attempt to bring 13 CIA workers to justice for the abduction of a German-Lebanese citizen mistakenly suspected of terrorism.
“We will submit an application for temporary custody in the United States,” Chief Prosecutor August Stern said in Munich, two months after a court in the city issued arrest warrants for the 13.
The suspects are believed to be the crew and passengers of an aircraft that flew Lebanese-born Khaled el-Masri from Macedonia to Afghanistan in 2003. Masri alleges he was secretly detained for five months in Kabul then dumped by his captors in Albania.
Here’s another clue:
The CIA and FBI agents have been interrogating hundreds of detainees at secret prisons in Ethiopia. Many of the prisoners were recently transferred there secretly and illegally from Kenya and Somalia. They are being held without charge or access to counsel. One of those held is 24 year-old U.S. citizen, Amir Mohamed Meshal.
Of course, there is a longer history, but the current administration has pretty much destroyed America’s reputation for promoting human rights.
Gitmo – wheres that orange suit when you need it!!!
As I said over at Orange, I was waiting for the hypocritical comment to come out of this administration.
Too bad that there is no basis or standing for the comments.
Even worse for the US reputation because of these sadistic dolts.
here is another– given the fact that the world today is a 24/7 connected entity, the actions af this administration (thus percieved country) are visually present everywhere. If cheney says A and the pentagon say the opposite; when NON-WHITE AMERICANS are being killed or jailed in such enormous percentages; when more than 40 million citizens have no health coverage.
I know– that is more than 1. Sorry.
billjpa
Madeline Albright (on Olbermann tonight) was more forthright than she has been in her criticism of Bush, and support of Pelosi. But four or more years ago she described Bush/Cheney/Rice as “treaty-phobic.” She explained that they were so focused on their rights as the dominant power in the world that they rejected any and all agreements that might limit those rights.
Most people don’t realize that our rejection of Kyoto (not even sitting in on the negotiations) and the treaty which regulated the behavior of military with tribunals were the first insults to Europe–and the root cause of our failure to engage them in meaningful discussions of potential support for Iraq reconstruction. The next blow, of course, was our insistence that only those who helped us would profit from the reconstruction contracts.
My own perspective wouldn’t cause me to rank Senator Clinton first in a primary election, but there is one strong point in her favor. She clearly “gets it” in terms of how bad our world standing is; asked about Bill, she has indicated that she would ask him to be an informal ambassador to begin the long process of restoring our credibility overseas. I know of no one who could do the job better, and that is a very strong recommendation for her candidacy.
That is debatable. I don’t think I will be wrong to argue that this country has mainly promoted human rights violation, at least as long as I have been alive. It is also true that some administrations have promoted human rights, as Carter and Clinton, and then it was here and there. It is also true that some republicans have promoted human rights, as long as it was in the case of our adversaries, (like in Cuba and the USSR).
But if we look at Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, it is a very bleak picture.
As for the world not reacting against Iran, well, it would help to free the Iranian hostages that this country kidnapped from the Iranian embassy in Iraq.
Since we’re getting down to the nitty-gritty, I’ll point out that the question, as posed, makes no sense. You’re talking about treatment of British prisoners by Iran. The U.S. and its current abysmal reputation have little to do with that.
Another odd item is the diametrically opposed viewpoints – even in Britain – about the conduct of the British captives. Many Americans are incensed they were taken alive. Their protocol did not include resistance that was futile and an open assault/resistance to local authority in Peacetime, i.e. an international incident with British loss of life. The Israelis hailed British strategy as well done, but I expect Haaretz to be putting that in archives shortly if they haven’t done so already.
The head of the British navy had no problem with the conduct of his people.
And the sympathies of the world ? Even the kids have had it.
http://baghdadtreasure.blogspot.com/
All these talking heads weren’t saying the same when the three Americans were captured in Kosovo. I didn’t hear anyone say that they should have fought till death with a superior force. Actually everyone was very happy to see them go free.