Boy praises Guantanamo jailers

Dreamer128 · 02-14-2004, 08:06 PM

An Afghan boy has told the BBC he feels no bitterness about being held in the US Guantanamo camp for terror suspects.

More than a year after being captured by US troops fighting members of the Taleban and al-Qaeda, Naqibullah, 13, is back home in eastern Afghanistan.
He spent much of his time in captivity in Camp Iguana, the children's section of the US detention centre on the tropical island of Cuba.

The teenager said he felt fine and was happy to tell his story.

He had never even been to Kabul, let alone outside Afghanistan, before he was taken prisoner by the Americans.

"I hadn't done anything, but they suspected me because I was standing next to some men who had guns," he said.

"I told them I was innocent. I don't even know how to use a gun."

'Guest treatment'

Unlike most of those in Guantanamo Bay, he was not forced to wear an orange boiler suit, or shackled and hooded.

In fact, apart from the two other boys released with him, he says he saw no other detainees.

He even says he was treated like a guest of the US forces.

"We were not like prisoners there. We were not tortured. They didn't tie our hands. And they gave us education," he said.

There is no bitterness or anger, but the boy learned enough English to make this one demand of the Americans: "I want the Americans to pay me because I was not a criminal. I want them to help me become a doctor."

Life changed

After more than a year in US custody, Naqibullah is now trying to adjust to life back home in his village.

It is hard to exaggerate just what a strange and unsettling experience this has been for him, but this is perhaps not the Guantanamo Bay story you might expect.

At the mosque, Naqibullah's father, Gul Mohammed, leads prayers. His attitude shows the very different culture and mindset here.
You might think he would be angry with the Americans. Actually he thinks they have done Naqibullah a favour.

"He has learnt to speak English. He has come back with an education. He knows about things," Gul Mohammed said.

"He behaves better with his sisters and brothers, he shows me more respect, and he has been to big places like Kabul, and the rest of the world."

But it could be difficult for Naqibullah now. As I leave his village, he says: "I want to go to the city."

[Source: BBC]

Timber Loftis · 02-14-2004, 10:24 PM

Give 'em just a taste of education, experience, and the "big wide world" and they just can't get enough. Most people in most places are that way. This kid'll be back to this hemisphere -- probably on a student visa.

Of course, then some Burkenstock-clad sociology professor will try to convince him to be a suicide bomber.

Ah, the irony.

[ 02-14-2004, 10:25 PM: Message edited by: Timber Loftis ]

Barry the Sprout · 02-15-2004, 04:21 AM

Whilst its encouraging to hear that it does appear that the reasons he doesn't think the camp was too bad are mostly down to the fact that he was treated differently from everyone else. It therefore doesn't say much about the treatment at the camp as a whole, just about the quality of special treatment this kid received.

Davros · 02-15-2004, 08:47 AM

I am glad that he felt he was treated well, but perplexed why it took so lomg to establish his innocence and release him. "We arrested him cos he was standing next to the baddies" is not a bogus reason at all when you are in the heat of a war zone - but "more than 12 months" is a long time for cross questioning etc.

Skunk · 02-16-2004, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Timber Loftis:
Give 'em just a taste of education, experience, and the "big wide world" and they just can't get enough. Most people in most places are that way. This kid'll be back to this hemisphere -- probably on a student visa.

Of course, then some Burkenstock-clad sociology professor will try to convince him to be a suicide bomber. Ah, the irony.

Without money or the means to earn it?

Now there is NOTHING left for him in his own home village - and no compensation for the year that was stolen from him...

Dreamer128 · 02-16-2004, 07:46 AM

Well, the US usually compensates pretty well.

I recall an occasion on which they accidently shot a group of chicken farmers. Two very young kids and their fathers died. Their family recieved 2000 dollar in compensation for the death of the children. As far as I know, no formal investigation was launched about the incident.

ryaldin · 02-16-2004, 08:02 AM

Boy, we know how to make people feel at home. [img]graemlins/1disgust.gif[/img]

02-14-2004, 10:24 PM	#2
Timber Loftis 40th Level Warrior Join Date: July 11, 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 11,916	Give 'em just a taste of education, experience, and the "big wide world" and they just can't get enough. Most people in most places are that way. This kid'll be back to this hemisphere -- probably on a student visa. Of course, then some Burkenstock-clad sociology professor will try to convince him to be a suicide bomber. Ah, the irony. [ 02-14-2004, 10:25 PM: Message edited by: Timber Loftis ] __________________

02-15-2004, 04:21 AM	#3
Barry the Sprout White Dragon Join Date: October 19, 2001 Location: York, UK. Age: 42 Posts: 1,815	Whilst its encouraging to hear that it does appear that the reasons he doesn't think the camp was too bad are mostly down to the fact that he was treated differently from everyone else. It therefore doesn't say much about the treatment at the camp as a whole, just about the quality of special treatment this kid received. __________________ [img]\"http://img1.ranchoweb.com/images/sproutman/certwist.gif\" alt=\" - \" /><br /><br /><i>\"And the angels all pallid and wan,<br />Uprising, unveiling, affirm,<br />That the play is the tragedy, man,<br />And its hero the Conquerer Worm.\"</i><br /> - Edgar Allan Poe

02-15-2004, 08:47 AM	#4
Davros Takhisis Follower Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Mandurah, West Australia Age: 61 Posts: 5,073	I am glad that he felt he was treated well, but perplexed why it took so lomg to establish his innocence and release him. "We arrested him cos he was standing next to the baddies" is not a bogus reason at all when you are in the heat of a war zone - but "more than 12 months" is a long time for cross questioning etc. __________________ Davros was right - just ask JD

02-16-2004, 08:02 AM	#7
ryaldin Elminster Join Date: April 23, 2002 Location: Helena, MT Age: 42 Posts: 458	Boy, we know how to make people feel at home. [img]graemlins/1disgust.gif[/img] __________________ [img]\"http://userpic.livejournal.com/10817323/260901\" alt=\" - \" /><br />\"My style? You could call it the art of fighting without really fighting.\"<br /><br />\"Something vexes thee?\"

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02-14-2004, 08:06 PM	#1
Dreamer128 Dracolisk Join Date: March 21, 2001 Location: Europe Age: 40 Posts: 6,136	An Afghan boy has told the BBC he feels no bitterness about being held in the US Guantanamo camp for terror suspects. More than a year after being captured by US troops fighting members of the Taleban and al-Qaeda, Naqibullah, 13, is back home in eastern Afghanistan. He spent much of his time in captivity in Camp Iguana, the children's section of the US detention centre on the tropical island of Cuba. The teenager said he felt fine and was happy to tell his story. He had never even been to Kabul, let alone outside Afghanistan, before he was taken prisoner by the Americans. "I hadn't done anything, but they suspected me because I was standing next to some men who had guns," he said. "I told them I was innocent. I don't even know how to use a gun." 'Guest treatment' Unlike most of those in Guantanamo Bay, he was not forced to wear an orange boiler suit, or shackled and hooded. In fact, apart from the two other boys released with him, he says he saw no other detainees. He even says he was treated like a guest of the US forces. "We were not like prisoners there. We were not tortured. They didn't tie our hands. And they gave us education," he said. There is no bitterness or anger, but the boy learned enough English to make this one demand of the Americans: "I want the Americans to pay me because I was not a criminal. I want them to help me become a doctor." Life changed After more than a year in US custody, Naqibullah is now trying to adjust to life back home in his village. It is hard to exaggerate just what a strange and unsettling experience this has been for him, but this is perhaps not the Guantanamo Bay story you might expect. At the mosque, Naqibullah's father, Gul Mohammed, leads prayers. His attitude shows the very different culture and mindset here. You might think he would be angry with the Americans. Actually he thinks they have done Naqibullah a favour. "He has learnt to speak English. He has come back with an education. He knows about things," Gul Mohammed said. "He behaves better with his sisters and brothers, he shows me more respect, and he has been to big places like Kabul, and the rest of the world." But it could be difficult for Naqibullah now. As I leave his village, he says: "I want to go to the city." [Source: BBC]

02-16-2004, 07:46 AM	#6
Dreamer128 Dracolisk Join Date: March 21, 2001 Location: Europe Age: 40 Posts: 6,136	Well, the US usually compensates pretty well. I recall an occasion on which they accidently shot a group of chicken farmers. Two very young kids and their fathers died. Their family recieved 2000 dollar in compensation for the death of the children. As far as I know, no formal investigation was launched about the incident.

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