Soldier freed from Taliban after 5 year captivity

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**d-usa**

Relapse wrote:
d-usa wrote:
Relapse wrote:
Begininning to sound like secret SEAL claims there, Ronin.

They are pretty common from both sides though...

Tonight, from Ronin especially.

Secret SEAL is an amateur anyway.

Everybody knows the true hero:

**Relapse**

d-usa wrote:
Relapse wrote:
d-usa wrote:
Relapse wrote:
Begininning to sound like secret SEAL claims there, Ronin.

They are pretty common from both sides though...

Tonight, from Ronin especially.

Secret SEAL is an amateur anyway.

Everybody knows the true hero:

The secret's out now!

**44Ronin**

Relapse wrote:

Actually, you're throwing around the big claims about personal interviews with nothing to back them..

It's not like he was at hyde park, sydney on september 8th 2007 to talk to people :sarcasm:

hang on... he actually was...

**Jihadin**

How is ASIO relevant to the subject for me to bother?

Naming ASIO officers is also a big no-no. Good way to get on a "watch list", or end up in court, or worse. No thanks.

As you can see what happens to whistleblowers/ info revealers/whathaveyou, the powers that be go after their throats. Manning, Snowden. Assange ... etc. you get the idea

Really?

DAMNING evidence from an Egyptian intelligence officer that names an Australian official who witnessed the torture of Sydney man Mamdouh Habib in Guantanamo Bay has been revealed as the trigger for a hushed-up government payout to Mr Habib and a high-level investigation.

The explosive 840-word statement, released exclusively to The Sun-Herald, was shown to government solicitors three days before they suddenly paid Mr Habib an undisclosed amount to drop his lawsuit claiming Australia was complicit in his CIA-engineered kidnap in 2001, transfer to Egypt and subsequent torture.

In his statement, which is yet to be tested in court, the intelligence officer says Egyptian guards routinely filmed terrorism suspects in their jails. He says there is footage and photographs of Mr Habib and an Arabic-speaking Australian called George who witnessed his degradation.

''He has rounded face aged 35-40 and bald (no hair) his height is about 170 fat without moustache with beard, hazel eyes big nose, fat neck. George was present during the medical check on Habib who was handcuffed and tied feet. His eyes were closed and he was unable to see.

''He [Habib] was naked of any cloths [sic] even his underwear. He was hysterical, almost crazy, drugged. The hand down of him and his belongings and the medical check was before the Australian official [George]. Habib constantly was fighting with the guards and wanted to escape outside.

''During Habib's presence some of the Australian officials attended many times and some of them were women. The same official who attended the first time, George, used to come with them and Habib was tortured a lot and all the time as the foreign intelligence wanted quick and fast information.''

The statement from the intelligence officer was taken by Mr Habib's Egyptian lawyer, Hisham Mahmoud Ramadan, who told Mr Habib yesterday that the overthrow of the Mubarak regime would make it easier to get more information about his torture.

Mr Habib was arrested in Pakistan in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. He was secretly taken to Egypt where he was tortured for seven months before he was imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay, where he was held until January 2005. He was released without charge. He immediately began legal action against the Australian government, claiming it was complicit in his transfer and torture.

Then foreign minister Alexander Downer attorney-general Philip Ruddock repeatedly denied knowledge of the transfer. So did then ASIO boss Dennis Richardson and federal police chief Mick Keelty.

Mr Habib sued and after a six-year battle, the Gillard government suddenly agreed to pay him an undisclosed sum on December 17 in exchange for him dropping his case. The amount is subject to a strict confidentiality agreement. In a similar case, Canadian-Syrian engineer Maher Arar received $10 million from the Canadian government.

Sydney lawyer Ecevit Demir, who attended the meeting at which the Habib compensation was agreed, confirmed the Egyptian intelligence officer's statement was discussed. Mr Habib said he brought the statement to Julia Gillard's attention at the end of October. Soon after, she ordered an inquiry. He has decided to reveal the details of the statement because, despite the payout, the government is still refusing to give back his passport.

The Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, did not comment when The Sun-Herald asked if his department or ASIO would co-operate with the inquiry or whether ''anyone now wanted to change their stories''.

Mr Habib detailed interrogations by a man he identified only as George in his 2008 book, My Story: The Tale of a Terrorist Who Wasn't. He said George, who he had thought was Egyptian because he spoke Arabic with an Egyptian dialect, questioned him in Egypt and later in Afghanistan on his way to Guantanamo Bay.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed in writing to Mr Habib that there was an official named George working at the Australian embassy in Cairo. However, it maintained that while George did make inquiries about Mr Habib, George never had it ''confirmed'' that Mr Habib was in Egypt.

When The Sun-Herald showed Mr Habib a photograph of George, he recognised him and said he had seen him several times in the Egyptian jail.

Mr Habib told The Sun-Herald he would take the Egyptian agent's statement to the Inspector-General of Intelligence Services, Vivienne Thom, who is heading the inquiry ordered by Ms Gillard.

and I am done

**44Ronin**

Jihadin wrote:

and I am done

sarcasm is beyond some.

**Seaward**

You guys sure you want this much conversation with the next John Walker Lindh on record?

**Thokt**

Wow. So Ronin, are you still submitting that this particular individual - or most American POWs - are treated better by the Taliban than those at GTMO?

That's a hell of a statement there.

I'm not saying that GTMO is a light hearted place, or that awful things don't happen there, but you do know about the Taliban, right?

Go ahead and repeat/summarize your original statement just so I can grasp what the feth you're talking about.

**Relapse**

44Ronin wrote:
Jihadin wrote:

and I am done

sarcasm is beyond some.

Of course you were joking, just like the guys who get exposed as fake SEALs say they were doing it to honor real SEALs.

**44Ronin**

Thokt wrote:
Wow. So Ronin, are you still submitting that this particular individual - or most American POWs - are treated better by the Taliban than those at GTMO?

That's a hell of a statement there.

I'm not saying that GTMO is a light hearted place, or that awful things don't happen there, but you do know about the Taliban, right?

Go ahead and repeat/summarize your original statement just so I can grasp what the feth you're talking about.

As I said many times, I am only reffering to Bergdahl.

We can see he is a special case. There seems to be some issues at play given his stance on the american occupation.

Just because Americans think of the Taliban in a certain way does not exclude the fact that it is a factional force that may have motivations for treating him well. Another factor is the pashtun guest culture it could appear that keeping him alive is a straining task considering many would have wanted him dead.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Relapse wrote:
44Ronin wrote:
Jihadin wrote:

and I am done

sarcasm is beyond some.

Of course you were joking, just like the guys who get exposed as fake SEALs say they were doing it to honor real SEALs.

Comparing my claim that I spoke to someone to those that claim they are special forces is a moronic comparison.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
and here we go:

http://www.smh.com.au/world/us-soldier-bowe-bergdahl-played-badminton-with-captors-20140602-zrukv.html

The tale of Bergdahl is starting to get really interesting.

His father even confirmed that he had trouble speaking english.

**Relapse**

Thokt wrote:
Wow. So Ronin, are you still submitting that this particular individual - or most American POWs - are treated better by the Taliban than those at GTMO?

That's a hell of a statement there.

I'm not saying that GTMO is a light hearted place, or that awful things don't happen there, but you do know about the Taliban, right?

Go ahead and repeat/summarize your original statement just so I can grasp what the feth you're talking about.

He's backpeddling now to say he meant just in the one case.

**Jihadin**

We can see he is a special case. There seems to be some issues at play given his stance on the american occupation.

Before captivity or while in captivity?

**44Ronin**

Relapse wrote:
Thokt wrote:
Wow. So Ronin, are you still submitting that this particular individual - or most American POWs - are treated better by the Taliban than those at GTMO?

That's a hell of a statement there.

I'm not saying that GTMO is a light hearted place, or that awful things don't happen there, but you do know about the Taliban, right?

Go ahead and repeat/summarize your original statement just so I can grasp what the feth you're talking about.

He's backpeddling now to say he meant just in the one case.

Read my first and second post, third one too. How more specific can I be?. I can't help your incorrect comprehension.

I also said if you want to cite executions please do so and we'll talk about it. Which I did. Nothing is there with me saying the Taliban is good to people.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Jihadin wrote:
We can see he is a special case. There seems to be some issues at play given his stance on the american occupation.

Before captivity or while in captivity?

Both.,

now enough with the ad hominem nonsense. Start talking about the topic.

http://www.smh.com.au/world/us-soldier-bowe-bergdahl-played-badminton-with-captors-20140602-zrukv.html

It seems pretty clear he picked pashto given that his father pretty much confirmed it. That would seem pretty impossible if he was put into solitary confinement as is standard practice in gitmo.

**Relapse**

Ronin, Don't PM me.

**44Ronin**

Relapse wrote:
Ronin, Don't PM me.

Don't call me a troll right off the bat. How about that?

**d-usa**

http://www.tulsaworld.com/homepage2/inhofe-president-violated-law-sound-policy-in-soldier-release-deal/article_fb981bf4-fcee-5b5b-aeac-c6db49e1e80a.html

Automatically Appended Next Post:

44Ronin wrote:
Relapse wrote:
Ronin, Don't PM me.

Don't call me a troll right off the bat. How about that?

Then hit the triangle?

**Ahtman**

44Ronin wrote:
Relapse wrote:
Ronin, Don't PM me.

Don't call me a troll right off the bat. How about that?

There are a myriad of ways you could of approached this without being inflammatory, but you seem to want to ignore those. Walk like a duck, quack like a duck and people will think you are a duck.

**Bullockist**

Ahtman, kindly stop being specist towards ducks or I shall have to hit the golden triangle.

What have ducks ever done to you ?

**Ahtman**

Bullockist wrote:
Ahtman, kindly stop being specist towards ducks or I shall have to hit the golden triangle. What have ducks ever done to you ?

One bit me on the nose as a kid. Haven't trusted them since!

**Bullockist**

I'm guessing the game of "duck, duck , goose " as a child became a source of mental anguish as a result. Next time don't taunt the ducks by sticking bread up your nostril!

**Relapse**

Bullockist wrote:
I'm guessing the game of "duck, duck , goose " as a child became a source of mental anguish as a result. Next time don't taunt the ducks by sticking bread up your nostril!

I never knew about that game until I moved out west and saw college kids playing it.

**Jihadin**

Great. Craving Peking Duck now. I hate you all

**Thokt**

44Ronin wrote:
Relapse wrote:
Holy crap, what thoughts must be going through his head?

http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/31/world/meast/afghanistan-bergdahl-aboard-helicopter/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

Treated better than gitmo inmates, probably.

So why would you posit that he was treated better than Gtmo inmates? I mean, it seems you're assuming - as if it should be obvious.

**44Ronin**

Thokt wrote:
44Ronin wrote:
Relapse wrote:
Holy crap, what thoughts must be going through his head?

http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/31/world/meast/afghanistan-bergdahl-aboard-helicopter/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

Treated better than gitmo inmates, probably.

So why would you posit that he was treated better than Gtmo inmates? I mean, it seems you're assuming - as if it should be obvious.

Read the link I posted

**Thokt**

Be direct. That link doesn't explain your reasoning. Am I too assume from that article that he wasn't treated as badly if not worse than a GTMO prisoner?

**Breotan**

So, about that whole "We don't negotiate with terrorists." thing...

Oh, guys? Please stop feeding the troll.

**44Ronin**

Breotan wrote:
So, about that whole "We don't negotiate with terrorists." thing...

The "War on terror" is a fraud, that's what.

You are concerned about a trade when you should be more concerned about the U.S arming terrorists in Syria.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Thokt wrote:
Be direct. That link doesn't explain your reasoning. Am I too assume from that article that he wasn't treated as badly if not worse than a GTMO prisoner?

Expert security analyst says it is typical for the type of high profile prisoner.

The guy can speak Pashto....kinda implies he hasn't been sensory deprived, bound and hooded?

**reds8n**

Back to the topic please.

**Goliath**

44Ronin wrote:Read my first and second post, third one too. How more specific can I be?. I can't help your incorrect comprehension.

44Ronin wrote:sarcasm is beyond some.

44Ronin wrote:I specifically mentioned the suit itself. Reading is not hard for most.

44Ronin wrote:It appears you massively lack basic comprehension.
You talk of strawman when you are the only one doing it.

As for the handwaving off American war crimes, it does not surprise me considering you foam at the mouth.

Now as I said either apologise or don't bother posting in response.

Dude, seriously. Quit it with this whole "I'm the smartest one here, I'm dealing with a bunch of children, oh woe is me why must I deal with these plebians?" schtick. It's not funny, it massively undermines your argument. ("Stop using ad hominem attacks you idiot") and generally makes you come across as an unlikeable arsehole.

**Bromsy**

Goliath wrote:
44Ronin wrote:Read my first and second post, third one too. How more specific can I be?. I can't help your incorrect comprehension.

44Ronin wrote:sarcasm is beyond some.

44Ronin wrote:I specifically mentioned the suit itself. Reading is not hard for most.

44Ronin wrote:It appears you massively lack basic comprehension.
You talk of strawman when you are the only one doing it.

As for the handwaving off American war crimes, it does not surprise me considering you foam at the mouth.

Now as I said either apologise or don't bother posting in response.

Dude, seriously. Quit it with this whole "I'm the smartest one here, I'm dealing with a bunch of children, oh woe is me why must I deal with these plebians?" schtick. It's not funny, it massively undermines your argument. ("Stop using ad hominem attacks you idiot") and generally makes you come across as an unlikeable arsehole.

word.

**44Ronin**

Goliath wrote:
44Ronin wrote:Read my first and second post, third one too. How more specific can I be?. I can't help your incorrect comprehension.

44Ronin wrote:sarcasm is beyond some.

44Ronin wrote:I specifically mentioned the suit itself. Reading is not hard for most.

44Ronin wrote:It appears you massively lack basic comprehension.
You talk of strawman when you are the only one doing it.

As for the handwaving off American war crimes, it does not surprise me considering you foam at the mouth.

Now as I said either apologise or don't bother posting in response.

Dude, seriously. Quit it with this whole "I'm the smartest one here, I'm dealing with a bunch of children, oh woe is me why must I deal with these plebians?" schtick. It's not funny, it massively undermines your argument. ("Stop using ad hominem attacks you idiot") and generally makes you come across as an unlikeable arsehole.

So tell how do you deal with mob who turn a molehill into a mountain?