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Rice Ordered Release of Detainee Flown on Ghost Air

Remember Khaled el-Masri? We re-told his story here.

Masri, a German citizen of Lebanese descent, says he was taken off a bus in Macedonia in south-central Europe while on holiday on Dec. 31, 2003, then whisked in handcuffs to a motel outside the capital city of Skopje. Three weeks later, on the evening of Jan. 23, 2004, he was brought blindfolded aboard a jet with engines noisily revving, according to his lawyer, Manfred Gnjidic. Masri says he climbed high stairs "like onto a regular passenger airplane" and was chained to clamps on the bare metal floor and wall of the jet.

Masri says he was then flown to Afghanistan, where at a U.S. prison facility he was shackled, repeatedly punched and questioned about extremists at his mosque in Ulm, Germany. Finally released months later, the still-mystified Masri was deposited on a deserted road leading into Macedonia, where he brokenly tried to describe his nightmarish odyssey to a border guard. "The man was laughing at me," Masri told The New York Times, which disclosed his story last month. "He said: 'Don't tell that story to anyone because no one will believe it. Everyone will laugh'."

The New York Times reports today it was Secretary of State Condaleeza Rice who ordered his release five months after his wrongful imprisonment in an Afghan jail. The White House would have us all believe they didn't know much about the detainees. Rice's involvement suggests otherwise.

The disclosure of the decision to free Mr. Masri shed new light on the transfer of suspected Qaeda operatives around the world. Until now, it was believed that the transfers were carried out by the C.I.A. under presidential directives issued after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Ms. Rice's involvement suggests that the White House may have played a more hands-on role than was previously known. The officials who discussed the matter on Friday suggested that she had intervened as needed, but would not describe the extent to which national security officials at the White House were in charge.

Officials say it was a case of mistaken identity.

Authorities believed he was a member of Al Qaeda who had trained at one of Osama bin Laden's camps in Afghanistan. But within several months they concluded he was the victim of mistaken identity, the officials said. His name was similar to a Qaeda suspect on an international watch list of possible terrorist operatives, they said.

According to the Times, Mr. Masri, a German shoe salesman, was released in May, 2004. Maybe they confused him with Muslim Cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri, who coincidentally was arrested in Britain in May, 2004? The cleric was wanted in connection with the Oregon case in which James Ujaama was charged with trying to set up a terrorist training camp in Bly, Oregon. Attendees of al-Masri's London mosque allegedly included Richard Reid, the "shoe-bomber" and Zacarias Moussoui.

Only al-Masri the cleric has one eye and a hook for hands. You would think someone would have noticed the difference between him and Khaled el-Masri before five months went by.

Update: In February, 2005, the German Press reported the German Government was investigating a claim of kidnapping against the U.S with respect to el-Masri. And this Cairo article spells Abu Hamza al-Masri's name as Abu Hamza el-Mazri.

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    Re: Rice Ordered Release of Detainee Flown on Ghos (none / 0) (#1)
    by TomK on Sat Apr 23, 2005 at 12:14:46 PM EST
    Um. I am no great legal mind, but since when is "It was a case of mistaken identity" an excuse for beating people held in american run prisons?

    Re: Rice Ordered Release of Detainee Flown on Ghos (none / 0) (#2)
    by Che's Lounge on Sat Apr 23, 2005 at 12:39:59 PM EST
    He should count his blessings that his name was the same as someone very prominent. Otherwise he'd be dead. Five months? He's lucky to be alive. After all, most of those a rab names all sound the same, eh? They plucked this guy out of nowhere and you think they can't see us here?

    Re: Rice Ordered Release of Detainee Flown on Ghos (none / 0) (#3)
    by dead dancer on Sat Apr 23, 2005 at 12:47:23 PM EST
    And I thought Condaleeza job was to stand around and look pretty!

    Re: Rice Ordered Release of Detainee Flown on Ghos (none / 0) (#4)
    by Sailor on Sat Apr 23, 2005 at 02:20:32 PM EST
    nly al-Masri the cleric has one eye and a hook for hands. The fbi fingerprint lab comes thru again;-)

    Re: Rice Ordered Release of Detainee Flown on Ghos (none / 0) (#5)
    by john horse on Sat Apr 23, 2005 at 02:43:50 PM EST
    We kidnap people, transport them over international lines, take them to a secret prison where we shackle, beat and torture them. We've become international terrorists.

    It's called the preemptive measure. you grab'em before they turn into terrorists.

    Re: Rice Ordered Release of Detainee Flown on Ghos (none / 0) (#7)
    by scarshapedstar on Sat Apr 23, 2005 at 03:00:24 PM EST
    Hmm, and Condi is the hero in all of this? I wondered who ordered him held in the first place?

    Re: Rice Ordered Release of Detainee Flown on Ghos (none / 0) (#8)
    by marty on Sat Apr 23, 2005 at 03:22:24 PM EST
    The White House would have us all believe they didn't know much about the detainees. Rice's involvement suggests otherwise. The White House, unfortunately and to our shame, would "have us believe" a whole lot of things that are lies. It seems this bunch of scumbags feels free to lie about ANYTHING.

    Re: Rice Ordered Release of Detainee Flown on Ghos (none / 0) (#9)
    by john horse on Sat Apr 23, 2005 at 03:31:16 PM EST
    IM, Apparently the information that the Bush administration based their "preemptive measures" on is no more accurate than the Bush doctrine of preemptive invasion. Both are based on the psychic ability to predict future behavior. The Bush administration track record in this regard is no better than Miss Cleos.

    Posted by IM: "It's called the preemptive measure. you grab'em before they turn into terrorists." Otherwise known as RACISM. Or, more precisely, Collective Guilt Theory, which Hitler was VERY fond of. "We have been reproached for making no distinction between the innocent Armenians and the guilty. But that was utterly impossible, in view of the fact that those who are innocent today might be guilty tomorrow." --Turkish genocidist Mehmed Talaat, ~1920. Talaat's ashes were returned to Turkey by Adolph Hitler, where they were given hero's honors. Talaat LOVED to blame his victims: "The Armenians have only themselves to blame." "We should invade their countries, kill their leaders, and foreably convert their peoples to Christianity." --Collective Guilt Racist Ann Coulter, 2001 Good to see you are keeping up the traditions, IM.

    I believe IM was being sarcastic.

    What the "H", Insane.

    Look, even the intel guys can err it's no big deal (for them), comes with the job, They get a list of people to collect and there is no way to double-check for errors. Besides everyone they grab claims to be innocent. And since there's no legal judiciary involved there's no way you could let 'em go until they can prove it. Guilty until proven innocent

    Re: Rice Ordered Release of Detainee Flown on Ghos (none / 0) (#14)
    by Peter on Sat Apr 23, 2005 at 05:19:35 PM EST
    Wouldn't these events and others like them piss off a lot of US citizens of Middle Eastern descent and possibly make them lean towards terrorism more easily where they wouldn't even contemplate it before. I suppose if I said I might be tempted under those conditions would bring a midnight knock on my door so I'm not going to say it and I'm a Canadian of European descent.

    War crimes anyone? Anyone still wondering why Dubya and his gang are breaking ties with the International Court?

    "Posted by Julie: "I believe IM was being sarcastic." Posted by IM: "Guilty until proven innocent" That would be an incorrect surmise, Julie. The abduction of persons and the torture of persons are both intended to INFLAME ME'ers to make Bush's VERY PROFITABLE, VERY UNDEMOCRATIC war on America, er, terror, a permanent affair. When attacked, put up TWO fighter jets, and then miss the planes entirely anyhow. When invading, do no planning for resistance, so that martyrs on both sides can build their hatreds. It's the very opposite of diplomacy, national security, military protection of the nation, or an actual policing of terrorists. Make sure you take LONG vacations whenever the country is being threatened, and to wear a uniform to mock our brave soldiers as often as possible. Don't attend any funerals; don't sign your own condolence letters; don't listen to critics or friends with contrary intel; hide from the public, tear down the laws, destroy American credibility wherever it may cling to the fabric of civilization. And when the looted missiles start bringing down a helicopter or two a week, shrug your shoulders and pretend that it must be someone else's fault, because Bush never made a mistake he could admit to. He has too much on the line in his psyche for that. It would mean crossing back over from insanity to reality, and that is too much work. Keep on swinging, 1M. There are a lot more innocent people to torture and kill, don't worry.

    *sigh* Paul what planet are you living on? I don't approve of people being locked up without any trial and on mere suspicion. I was pointing out that people were kidnapped taken away all their rights, I consider it illegal.. clear enough?

    Sarcasm is hard to read in a situation like this with so many racists and apologists abounding. It is one of the behaviors that we overdo. Since it SAYS what is evil in order to mock it, it still is (unintentionally) giving support to those actions -- especially if the sarcasm is not obvious, or marked (such as, /sarcasm). The most common example of this is the 'it is not true' list, which works like this: "It is not true, when Bush says: 1) Hussein had definite ties to Osama bin Laden. 2) etc." Listing off all of the lies, with a one line disclaimer at the top, which in fact reiterates the lies, since the subconscious simply doesn't understand disclaimers. I consider it both a flaw in English, and a flaw in political action. It may be, however, funny at times. But it is double-edged and backfires plenty. Anyhow, clear enough. I'll try to remember your alias and what side you are really on.

    While all of you over-intellectuals pontificate, isn't it great that Jason Conti of the Oklahoma Redhawks went 4 for 5 and almost hit for the cycle. Go out, grab a beer and enjoy a ballgame. Life is a gift!!

    I really can't say anything without going Nut's, this is an outrage, the guy did nothing, but yet he was beaten and had his human right, sh#T on, "by the government of freedom and laws and god and really good movies." now we no the real myth of a government of Laws. by the way your government just said we will be attacked soon by some nuke. I just wish i could see who set-it-off.

    He's free! The system works! (yes, that was sarcasm)

    Re: Rice Ordered Release of Detainee Flown on Ghos (none / 0) (#22)
    by The Heretik on Sun Apr 24, 2005 at 08:56:07 AM EST
    Your piece here got a cite in the latest installment today of Blessed Is the Prisoner. A strong society may be judged by how it holds the weak within its grasp

    Paul in LA, I agree completely about framing the lies. It really justs gives the lies more legs. It's the "don't think of an elephant" thing. The repubs have become masters are turning every discussion and disagreement into that framework that does their dirty work for them. We/liberals/progressives - pick a label - need to define the discussion based on our values and principles and keep the discussion there. Hence, the liberal discussion should be on health care, education, protecting the environment, building a more cohesive sense of community in this country instead of letting the neocons frame every discussion in terms of tax cuts or faith (theirs, no one else's faith has any currency). We are liberals, progressives. The people who brought you the weekend, who brought you Medicare and Social Security. We are the people who will abide by our treaty obligations. We are the people who will not stoop to torture or extraordinay rendition. We are the people who will not start aggressive wars for profit or political expediency. Condi Rice? She is not a liberal. She is a war criminal to the extent that she has had a hand in the renditions and torture.

    CA, Who HAS started aggressive wars for profit or political expediency?

    Wars for profit? Let me think? War Contract But the thread is about Condi's involvement in war crimes.

    War profits? But the thread is about the WH involvement in the illegal detention of this guy el-Masri, right?

    Afghanistan, too! Of course, Afghanistan offered to turn over Osama if we could show why it should, but where is the profit in that kind of deal? I forget where is Osama now? Can't remember, but glad to know that the WH can scoop up Mr. El-Masri. You got more questions? You want more examples?

    CA, Thanks for the link. Am I to assume that you now consider CNN Money to be the definitive source for the specific reasoning of the President and the Vice-President on all matters, or only those regarding war? Just wondering? And in regards to: But the thread is about the WH involvement in the illegal detention of this guy el-Masri, right? Then why did you bring up the issue of aggressive wars for profit or political expediency?

    You got more questions? You want more examples? Yes please. I'd like one that actually provides solid evidence that the President or the Vice-President started an aggressive war for profit or political expediency, which, to date, you haven't even tried to provide. What you have provided is links showing that companies have profited from the war (when was this ever not the case?) and that certain people may or may not have benefited politically from the war effort. But this hardly shows that anyone started an aggressive war for these purposes. Direct quotes from those accused of such would be helpful, since we can't very well read the truth in their hearts, now can we? Could you please provide a link that shows this to be the case rather than links that merely imply such through innuendo? I'm not saying it's not true, mind you; only that you haven't shown it to be so and therefore probably shouldn't be stating it as a fact. And thanks again.

    Re: Rice Ordered Release of Detainee Flown on Ghos (none / 0) (#30)
    by john horse on Sun Apr 24, 2005 at 04:05:34 PM EST
    Sorry IM. For every sarcastic post there are people who actually resemble those remarks. To avoid confusion on some of my posts I provide an explicit sarcasm alert when I'm being sarcastic.

    justpaul...either the Iraq war was started for profit or it was all just one big mistake. One case would be criminal, the other criminally stupid. You decide!

    Actually, Greg Palast's investigative reporting turned up TWO plans to privatize Iraq's oil in 2001, just after the stolen election and disgusting inauguration, that the Bush admin. spent a lot of time arguing over. Cheney's 'energy meetings' have been outed for what they were. What a DICK! You can find that report either on his website or the BBC (where it broadcast) and elsewhere. Jim's reply was 'of course they have plans' to steal oil from Iraq -- that's just planning. Justpauls' reply will be that taking what is 'ours' is only a crime among liberals.

    Ernesto - You continue your attack on the war. There is, of course, the real reason. The invasion of Iraq was a part of the wider strategy of the war on terror. CA - You keep asking the same question. Let me ask you. Who cares were OBL is? I don't. And I don't think you do. You just bring it up as a way to make a snarky remark. Why? because we both know that it makes no difference. There is a war on. Sooner or later we will win the war, and capture or kill OBL. And you write, "who brought you Medicare and Social Security." So why did you fight the Medicare RX benefit, and why do ytou refuse to discuss the fixing of SC? Look in the mirror, CA. You will not find a liberal staring back at you.

    You are very much mistaken, Jim, I do care where Osama is. We could have had him without a war even if Afghanistan by working through the international justice system, but that judicial approach would not have allowed for the military and corporate sacking of Iraq. A demonstration of commitment to international justice and due process in the wake of the 911 attacks would have maintained the world wide support we had those few years ago. Maybe Mr. El Masri would not have been detained in order to see if he knows where Osama and his group are. I know it must be difficult to believe that anyone else actually has principles and stands on them with your partisan view of politics as bloodsport. You and your type are dangerous to us all. May your eyes be opened one day. May it come in a gentle manner and not as brutal retribution from people mistreated by your enthusiasm for the bloodsport. Have you no shame, sir?

    A couple of simple yes or no questions, Jim: Should Mr. El Masri have been abducted off the street in Macedonia and taken to Afghanistan for interrogation, beatings, etc? Should Rice do more than just order his release back to Macedonia after 5 months? Should Rice and the White House be required to explain this matter? Simple yes or no questions. You never had it so good.

    Come on, Jim they are simple yes or no questions. Justpaul - you care to go yes or no on the same questions?

    CA, You care to provide a single piece of actual evidence for your claims? Or are we supposed to drop that potato now that you have moved on? I never took issue with anyone claiming that El Masri was treated improperly, CA. I only asked you to provide evidence for your claim that an aggressive war was started for the purpose of obtaining profit or for political expediency. I think your unwillingness to even try to do so is evidence that you know full well you can't do it, that all you have is subtle or not-so-subtle innuendo and one-sided media accounts. It seems strange that you would, on the one hand, question me for stating that a politician would act with politics in mind, and, on the other hand, freely espouse a dubious claim for which you have only supposition as support. Could it be that you are quite willing to accept bold claims with no evidence so long as they fit nicely with your personal political agenda, but can't even consider rather obvious generalizations about politicians for whom you have only admiration? Quit trying to change the subject and either admit you have no real evidence to support your claim or provide that evidence, please. It was you that brought this line of thought up, CA. Are you unwilling to support it?

    justpaul...either the Iraq war was started for profit or it was all just one big mistake. One case would be criminal, the other criminally stupid. You decide! Ernesto, I think there may be a few more possible reasons for the war, but even if we accept your either/or choice, is it really your position that the war must have been started for profit rather than out of stupidity? I thought most people here thought Bush was a moron, which, I would think, would make you lean toward stupidity as a reason. Shall we assume that you are one of the few who actually believes Bush is not stupid?

    Dubya has managed to walk away from every business he has worked with a handful of cash. The stockholders have usually not done as well. We all have things we do well I guess.

    Yes or no answers, Jim. They are simple questions. Not what others think, what your position is. Yes or no. Does Jim think Mr. El Masri should have been abducted off the street in Macedonia and taken to Afghanistan for interrogation, beatings, etc? Does Jim think Rice should do more than just order his release back to Macedonia after 5 months? Does Jim think Rice and the White House should be required to explain this matter?