Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 14, 1991 TAG: 9103140413
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
U.S. military police say that Kuwaiti soldiers are making regular bus and truck runs to the Iraqi border, dropping off hundreds of people arrested since Kuwait was liberated. Palestinians, Jordanians, North Africans and Iraqis have been left at a desolate spot to make their way into Iraq - to what reception is unknown.
Some of these bore the marks of beatings and torture. One was unconscious; his friends said he had been that way for four days, since Kuwaiti soldiers hung him by his feet and tortured him with electric wires.
"There's a special room for beating," said an Algerian describing a government building in Kuwait City. "It's full of hair and blood." Some prisoners were said to have died. Those tortured were said to include men in their 60s and a few women.
To Kuwaitis, Iraqis of course are the enemy. Others of different nationalities who were arrested were foreigners working in Kuwait when Iraq invaded. Evidently they are considered collaborators, a breed seldom treated gently in the aftermath of war.
Kuwaiti authorities have not, however, simply been working off understandable, momentary rage before they revert to more civilized behavior. What they have been doing bears resemblance to actions of the prewar government that the allies have restored to power. It held scores of political prisoners and members of religious minorities, some of whom were tried in secret, some beaten and tortured, some executed.
Syria, our newfound ally in the coalition against Iraq, for years has tortured and killed suspected dissenters. A State Department report last month charged Syria with "torture, arbitrary arrest and detention and denial of freedom of speech, press and association."
Saudi Arabia, which our troops defended, has long been known for its violations of human rights. Amnesty International says torture of political prisoners is common. Prevalent methods: beating on the soles of the feet, suspension by the wrists from the ceiling or a high window, sleep deprivation, electric shocks and beatings over the entire body.
Saudis convicted of lesser offenses - such as repeated theft - have received such punishments as amputation of hands and hundreds of lashes to the body. Death sentences may be carried out by beheading.
Yes, what Iraqis have done in Kuwait (and elsewhere) is much worse. But that shouldn't surprise: Torture is nothing new for Iraq. Saddam Hussein himself is said to specialize in torturing naked children. The American government knew Saddam was a monster years ago, but lent him support anyway in his war against Iran. The administration now warns Iraq not to use chemical weapons against rebels, but vetoed sanctions against Iraq in the 1980s after Saddam gassed Kurdish villages. The just-ended Gulf War was fought to protect governments more than people.
Iraqi atrocities do not, in any case, justify abuses by Kuwait, Saudi Arabia or any U.S. ally. American influence over other nations' internal affairs is limited, and ought to be. Even so, as firmly as possible, U.S. diplomats ought to suggest to our feudal friends that it is important to make accommodations with the late 20th century.
We have liberated a nation from Iraqi torturers, but its people aren't free. We have protected an emir's right to govern. We should defend human rights as well.
by CNB