CREDIBILITY GAP

MARCH 2003 "The BBC's Andrew Harding with UK troops near Basra says he was told of a group of Iraqi soldiers repeatedly trying to surrender but being prevented from doing so by commanders. A white flag of surrender was raised up to four times by the force of around 300 soldiers, he was told, adding to a British belief that Iraqi conscripts want to give themselves up but are being forced to fight." Returning soldiers reveal that a "take no prisoners" culture arose, shedding doubt on the explanation above. As we discovered, torture is systemic, perhaps we also shoot surrendering enemy? The questions need to be asked, and the answers need to be forthcoming, no matter how unpalatable the truth. If we don't pursue justice for all, we have justice for none. http://http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2897117.stm