[Media-watch] FW: Reuters criticises U.S. military investigation into the treatment of journalists in Iraq - US military launches review of detention facilities

[David Miller]

-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Allsopp [mailto:Susan.Allsopp at reuters.com]
Sent: 03 February 2004 19:54
Cc: Simon Walker
Subject: Reuters criticises U.S. military investigation into the
treatment of journalists in Iraq - US military launches review of
detention facilities




Please find attached a press release issued by Reuters - it highlights the
company's concerns over the
findings of a U.S. military investigation into the treatment of journalists
in Iraq. 

If you require any further information, I can be reached on + 44 7990 568404

Kind regards

Susan 

> >  <<safety statement 3 Feb.doc>>
> 
> Susan Allsopp
> PR Manager, Reuters
> Tel:+ 44 207 542 8404
> 
> 
3 February 2004

REUTERS CRITICISES U.S. MILITARY INVESTIGATION INTO THE TREATMENT OF
JOURNALISTS IN IRAQ

New York - Reuters has strongly criticised the US military's investigation
into the detention and treatment of its staff in Iraq, and called for it to
be reopened. The company has also reiterated its demand that statements
suggesting, without evidence, that combatants posing as journalists fired on
U.S. forces be withdrawn.

On 2 January this year, two Reuters journalists and their driver working in
Iraq were arrested and detained for 72 hours by U.S. troops after they
apparently were mistaken for enemy combatants. Reuters lodged a formal
complaint with the U.S. military authorities over their mistreatment in
detention.  

In a letter to the Defense Department, David Schlesinger, Reuters Global
Managing Editor, highlights Reuters concerns regarding the findings of the
U.S. military's investigation into this incident.

"The government's investigation of the allegations of mistreatment made by
Reuters staff was woefully inadequate.  It appears that the investigation
consisted of simply interviewing the accused soldiers, and despite our
offer, no effort was made to interview our staff. The military's conclusion
of its investigation without even interviewing the alleged victims, along
with other inaccuracies and inconsistencies in the report, speaks volumes
about the seriousness with which the U.S. government is taking this issue.

"The Department's report leads us to believe that the military continues to
downplay the significance of our concerns and that the military is not
willing to conduct meaningful and independent investigations of its own
conduct." Mr Schlesinger asks the Defense Department to reopen the
investigation, and ensure it is conducted in a more thorough and objective
manner at senior levels within the Department.

In its letter, Reuters also reiterates it concerns about erroneous public
statements by the U.S. military that 'enemy personnel posing as media' had
fired on its forces, and asks that the U.S. military clarify that there is
no basis for these. Mr Schlesinger said, "The conclusions in the report, as
well as comments made publicly, show that there is no credible evidence to
support the military's earlier statement.  Nonetheless, the military is
apparently unwilling to modify its previously stated public position -
leaving journalists in the field exposed to even further danger."

While denying some of the conduct alleged by the Reuters staff, the
investigation report concedes that the Reuters staff were "purposefully put
under stress", including sleep deprivation, and uncomfortable treatment. The
military has now launched an inspection of all of its temporary detention
facilities in Western Iraq and reinforced standards for handling detainees.

Today's letter follows one sent by Reuters to the Defense Department on 27
January 2004. In this Reuters expressed its growing frustration at the U.S.
military's failure to address its concerns about the safety of journalists
in Iraq, and to answer its requests for more information regarding incidents
which have cost or endangered their lives.




End

Contacts 

Susan Allsopp      tel: +44 (0) 207 542 8404
Corporate Communications
susan.allsopp at reuters.com


Stephen Naru       tel: +1 646 223 7728
Global Head of Media Relations
stephen.naru at reuters.com


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