AP: Paper: Dutch troops abused Iraq prisoners

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Friday, November 17, 2006 · Last updated 3:21 a.m. PT

Paper: Dutch troops abused Iraq prisoners

By MIKE CORDER
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- Dutch military interrogators abused dozens of Iraqi
prisoners in 2003, dousing them with water to keep them awake and exposing
them to high-pitched noises and strong lights, a Dutch newspaper reported
Friday.

Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende told the national broadcaster NOS that "if
this is true, it is shocking" and said the allegations must be investigated.

The report by the left-leaning national daily De Volkskrant was published five
days before national elections, which Balkenende's center-right Christian
Democratic Appeal is favored to win.

Responding to the allegations in the report, which cited no sources, Defense
Ministry spokesman Joop Veen was quoted as telling the newspaper that
"things happened that did not go according to instructions."

-snip-

Full article: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1103AP_Netherlands_Iraq_Prisoner_Abuse.html

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