Thousands Of Former Iraqi Insurgents May Be Freed

Detainees walk around and others pray at the Camp Cropper detention centre
John Moore/Getty Images (Photo from The Guardian)

Security Deal May Set 5,000 Detainees Free
-- Washington Times

Prisoners must be charged

The U.S. military is rushing to build criminal cases against some 5,000 detainees whom it deems dangerous - including suspected members of al Qaeda in Iraq - because the proposed security pact with Iraq would end its right to hold prisoners without charge.

The agreement, which is to be voted on by Iraqi lawmakers Wednesday, is primarily intended to set a timetable calling for American troops to leave Iraq by the end of 2011. But it also calls for control of security matters to shift to Iraqi authorities.

A woman embraces her husband, who is held at the U.S. detention facility at Camp Cropper in Baghdad, Iraq during a visiting day on Monday, Nov. 10, 2008. The U.S. military is rushing to collect evidence against some 5,000 detainees deemed to be dangerous, including suspected members of al Qaeda in Iraq, in case it loses the right to hold prisoners indefinitely without charge at the end of the year.

If passed, the deal would mean U.S. troops could no longer hold people without charge, as they have since the 2003 invasion that ousted dictator Saddam Hussein. Beginning Jan. 1, all detentions would have to be based on evidence, and the U.S. would have to prosecute prisoners in Iraqi courts or let them go.

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My Comment: I am sure that the Iraqis know how dangerous these men are. Fortunately for the Americans, this long term problem will be an Iraqi issue .... which is what it should be.