>From _The Sun_, of all places - although since these are direct quotes from a British government official I doubt that the source is all that relevant. Ben Bradshaw of the British Foreign Office said that "The detainees are free to conduct religious services, they have prayer mats and calls to prayers are broadcast over the camp PA system.
They are given as much drinking water as they want, three meals a day and food that complies with their religious practices, if they wish it. The officials [investigating the prison camp] received full cooperation from the camp's commander who said that all of the more lurid accusations of torture and sensory deprivation were completely false. None of the prisoners complained of any ill treatment, none said they had any medical condition requiring treatment, medical facilities are available at the compound. On the basis of the report, I am satisfied these accusations were premature and that the detainees are being treated in line with international humanitarian norms in conditions where security is paramount." Perhaps one of our British members can link to the full 8-page report on the camp? So, two quick points. First, we now know - those few of us who didn't before the report, of course - that the prisoners are being treated fairly and humanely. Will those people who accused the United States of torture retract their statement and apologize? Somehow I doubt it, but I'm always looking forward to cheerful surprises. Second, on (once again) anti-Americanism in Europe. The last few days have seen European newspapers and politicians criticize the US constantly for its supposed mistreatment of these prisoners. This based on absolutely no evidence whatsoever of any such mistreatment - just the assumption that the US _had_ to be at fault, and perhaps a great deal of eagerness for that to be the case. It is now clear, of course, that all of these accusations were nothing more than hysteria, with no basis in fact or justification whatsoever. Yet they were, nonetheless, made, and made eagerly. I think that speaks for itself, actually, without any further need for elaboration on my part. Gautam
