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U.S. to Release 500 Iraqi Detainees
Aired January 07, 2004 - 06:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Hundreds of Iraqi prisoners are soon to be released. Word came from civilian administrator Paul Bremer just about an hour and a half ago. It's an effort of a little give- and-take.
Live to Baghdad now and Karl Penhaul.
Why do this now -- Karl?
KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, certainly Paul Bremer is pushing forward this message of reconciliation, and he says it's time for Iraqis to make common cause.
In making his announcement, he said the first group of 100 Iraqi detainees would be freed tomorrow, Thursday. Another 400 are expected to be released in the course of the week. And Iraqi Governing Council heads are saying that in the course of the month up to 2,000 could be released.
Nevertheless, the coalition are describing these detainees about to be released as low-level suspects -- people who have not got bloodstained hands. Nevertheless, Paul Bremer is setting a certain number of conditions for their release.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL BREMER, U.S. CIVILIAN ADMINISTRATOR: While there are specific requirements for the release, two are of great importance. First, the person released must renounce violence. And second, the person released must have a guarantor, such as a prominent person in his community or a religious or tribal leader, who will accept responsibility for the good conduct of the individual being set free.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PENHAUL: Just to put it in a little bit of perspective, Carol, one should remember that coalition forces are currently holding an estimated 12,000 detainees. Some of those prisoners of war captured during the invasion phase of the campaign, others detained after the end of major hostilities on May the 1st and suspected of anti- coalition activities.
Many of those are being held without any formal charge, but under Geneva Conventions and humanitarian laws and such, they can be detained more or less indefinitely.
So, still a large number of cases to be resolved -- Carol. COSTELLO: Karl Penhaul reporting live from Baghdad this morning.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired January 7, 2004 - 06:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Hundreds of Iraqi prisoners are soon to be released. Word came from civilian administrator Paul Bremer just about an hour and a half ago. It's an effort of a little give- and-take.
Live to Baghdad now and Karl Penhaul.
Why do this now -- Karl?
KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, certainly Paul Bremer is pushing forward this message of reconciliation, and he says it's time for Iraqis to make common cause.
In making his announcement, he said the first group of 100 Iraqi detainees would be freed tomorrow, Thursday. Another 400 are expected to be released in the course of the week. And Iraqi Governing Council heads are saying that in the course of the month up to 2,000 could be released.
Nevertheless, the coalition are describing these detainees about to be released as low-level suspects -- people who have not got bloodstained hands. Nevertheless, Paul Bremer is setting a certain number of conditions for their release.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL BREMER, U.S. CIVILIAN ADMINISTRATOR: While there are specific requirements for the release, two are of great importance. First, the person released must renounce violence. And second, the person released must have a guarantor, such as a prominent person in his community or a religious or tribal leader, who will accept responsibility for the good conduct of the individual being set free.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PENHAUL: Just to put it in a little bit of perspective, Carol, one should remember that coalition forces are currently holding an estimated 12,000 detainees. Some of those prisoners of war captured during the invasion phase of the campaign, others detained after the end of major hostilities on May the 1st and suspected of anti- coalition activities.
Many of those are being held without any formal charge, but under Geneva Conventions and humanitarian laws and such, they can be detained more or less indefinitely.
So, still a large number of cases to be resolved -- Carol. COSTELLO: Karl Penhaul reporting live from Baghdad this morning.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
