UQ Wire: Iraq Whistleblower Threatened By Feds

Continuing the Cover-Up?
By Brian Ross and Alexandra Salomon
ABC News
Friday 21 May 2004

Military Takes Action Against Key Witness in Abu Ghraib Abuse Scandal.

A witness who told ABCNEWS he believed the military was covering up the extent of abuse at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison was today stripped of his security clearance and told he may face prosecution because his comments were "not in the national interest."

Sgt. Samuel Provance said in addition to his revoked security clearance, he was transferred to a different platoon, and his record was officially "flagged," meaning he cannot be promoted or given any awards or honors.

Provance said he was told he will face administrative action for failing to report what he knew at the time and for failing to take steps to stop the abuse.

"I see it as an effort to intimidate Sgt. Provance and any other soldier whose conscience is bothering him, and who wants to come forward and tell what really happened at Abu Ghraib," said his attorney Scott Horton.

For Full Story See…

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/WNT/Investigation/abu_ghraib_cover_up_040521-1.html

or

http://truthout.org/docs_04/052304A.shtml

and earlier

Scoop Link: ABC News - 'Definitely a Cover-Up'
http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00198.htm
Meanwhile….

Prison Visits By General Reported In Hearing
By Scott Higham, Joe Stephens and Josh White
The Washington Post
Sunday 23 May 2004

Alleged Presence of Sanchez Cited by Lawyer.

A military lawyer for a soldier charged in the Abu Ghraib abuse case stated that a captain at the prison said the highest-ranking U.S. military officer in Iraq was present during some "interrogations and/or allegations of the prisoner abuse," according to a recording of a military hearing obtained by The Washington Post.

The lawyer, Capt. Robert Shuck, said he was told that Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez and other senior military officers were aware of what was taking place on Tier 1A of Abu Ghraib. Shuck is assigned to defend Staff Sgt. Ivan L. "Chip" Frederick II of the 372nd Military Police Company. During an April 2 hearing that was open to the public, Shuck said the company commander, Capt. Donald J. Reese, was prepared to testify in exchange for immunity. The military prosecutor questioned Shuck about what Reese would say under oath.

"Are you saying that Captain Reese is going to testify that General Sanchez was there and saw this going on?" asked Capt. John McCabe, the military prosecutor.

"That's what he told me," Shuck said. "I am an officer of the court, sir, and I would not lie. I have got two children at home. I'm not going to risk my career."

Shuck also said a sergeant at the prison, First Sgt. Brian G. Lipinski, was prepared to testify that intelligence officers told him the abuse of detainees on the cellblock was "the right thing to do." Earlier this month, Lipinski declined to comment on the case.

For full story see…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48229-2004May22.html

Or

http://truthout.org/docs_04/052404B.shtml

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