U.S. Begins Freeing Thousands of Captives in Iraq

[Hissyspit]

Source: Wall Street Journal

U.S. Begins Freeing Thousands of Captives in Iraq
By Yochi J. Dreazen

WASHINGTON -- U.S. commanders in Iraq have begun releasing thousands of detainees and expect to free more than half of the 23,000 held by American forces, according to senior military commanders.

The moves are part of a broad effort to reshape the military's controversial detention policies, in part because the large number of Iraqis in U.S. custody is a source of public anger there. U.S. officials also believe freeing the primarily Sunni detainees will help persuade the embattled minority to participate more in Iraq's Shiite-heavy political process.

Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120848406669625219.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

[L. Coyote]

1. How about if we call them "people" instead of captives or detainees?

[no_hypocrisy]

2. So "we're" going to release captives in Iraq but continue to hold detainees

in Guantanamo indefinitely even if they are acquitted by our Kangaroo Military Courts.

[babydollhead]

3. FREE the troops! Bring them HOME!!!

[underpants]

4. In reading "Fiasco" it is clear that everyone knew how bad the detention centers were -Abu Gharab

and the other ones. Several commanders set up their own detention center/system because they knew that they were both completely eroding their support in the communities as well as losing possible intelligence in the dumping ground that the DoD had so horrendously underplanned and mismanaged.

This shows how slow things change in that kind of environment.

[alstephenson]

5. Wow. Winning the hearts and minds of Iraqis.

[saigon68]

6. Yes and it starts here with this little display

[maddezmom]

7. US to release 12,000 prisoners in Iraq

US to release 12,000 prisoners in Iraq
By Damien McElroy, Foreign Affairs Correspondent
Last Updated: 7:03pm BST 18/04/2008



America plans to halve the number of detainees it is holding in Iraq by releasing more than 12,000 under a scheme designed to promote reconciliation with communities formerly sympathetic to the insurgency.

Uncertain World: The threats that face our globe
US officers in Iraq told the Wall Street Journal yesterday that more than 50 prisoners per day would gain their freedom through the end of 2008.


Over 12,000 prisoners are to be released from Iraqi prisons
The vast majority of those in American custody are Sunni Muslims, including a hardcore of al-Qa'eda followers.

However, officials estimate as few as 2,500 represent a long-term threat to America. "When they aren't a security risk, it's our obligation to release them," said Brigadier General Mike Nevin. "The trick is: how do you know when they're no longer a threat?"

Hours later America issued a rare alert that al-Qa'eda had advanced plans to carry out suicide attacks in Baghdad, claiming "credible intelligence" indicated a suicide attack squad had entered the capital and was planning to detonate devices using vehicles or pedestrians wearing explosive vests.


more:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/04/18/wiraq218.xml

[thecrow]

8. Why? Are we running out of Iraqis?

[ohio2007]

9. After collecting their DNA and signed waivers not to attack the majority in power, these Sunni

voters will return to their peaceful tribal ways