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US prison camp in Iraqi desert closes US prison camp in Iraqi desert closes
(30 minutes later)
Camp Bucca is the size of a small town, with rows of huts and watchtowers Camp Bucca is the size of a small town, with rows of huts and watchtowers (Photo: Hugh Sykes)
Closing the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay is not America's only detainee dilemma. They still have thousands of prisoners at two large detention centres in Iraq.Closing the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay is not America's only detainee dilemma. They still have thousands of prisoners at two large detention centres in Iraq.
Until this week, there were three. But now, Camp Bucca - once by far the largest American internment camp in Iraq - has closed. The BBC's Hugh Sykes visited Bucca on its last day.Until this week, there were three. But now, Camp Bucca - once by far the largest American internment camp in Iraq - has closed. The BBC's Hugh Sykes visited Bucca on its last day.
Since the invasion in 2003, US forces have detained more than 100,000 people, most of them at Camp Bucca, far out in the desert near the Iraqi border with Kuwait.Since the invasion in 2003, US forces have detained more than 100,000 people, most of them at Camp Bucca, far out in the desert near the Iraqi border with Kuwait.
It was officially known as a "Tif" - Theater Internment Facility. It was named after a New York fire marshall, Ron Bucca, who died in the 11 September attack on the World Trade Center in 2001.It was officially known as a "Tif" - Theater Internment Facility. It was named after a New York fire marshall, Ron Bucca, who died in the 11 September attack on the World Trade Center in 2001.
When it was established, it consisted of just a few tents surrounded by three layers of razor wire fencing.When it was established, it consisted of just a few tents surrounded by three layers of razor wire fencing.
But Bucca grew and grew, and at the height of the insurgency, 22,000 prisoners were held here.But Bucca grew and grew, and at the height of the insurgency, 22,000 prisoners were held here.
Arriving at Bucca in a US helicopter, the size of the camp is surprising. It looks like a small town, with grid-pattern streets.Arriving at Bucca in a US helicopter, the size of the camp is surprising. It looks like a small town, with grid-pattern streets.
But as the helicopter gets closer, you can make out rows and rows of huts, compounds and watchtowers.But as the helicopter gets closer, you can make out rows and rows of huts, compounds and watchtowers.
Escape attemptsEscape attempts
In the early days, before Bucca was so elaborate, there were successful escape attempts.In the early days, before Bucca was so elaborate, there were successful escape attempts.
We were at war. There are many short memories out there... The insurgency was killing our soldiers and Iraqi civilians by the dozen US Brig Gen David QuantockWe were at war. There are many short memories out there... The insurgency was killing our soldiers and Iraqi civilians by the dozen US Brig Gen David Quantock
For example, the camp register records: "Detainee escaped through an undetected weakness in the wire", and "Detainees crawled under fence when visibility was low due to fog."For example, the camp register records: "Detainee escaped through an undetected weakness in the wire", and "Detainees crawled under fence when visibility was low due to fog."
Another entry reads: "Contributing factors were inexperience, lapses in accountability, complacency, lack of leadership and inadequate number of guards." The entry in the register continued: "Contributing factors were inexperience, lapses in accountability, complacency, lack of leadership and inadequate number of guards."
Another time an escape plan was foiled - a tunnel built by prisoners collapsed when a lorry drove over it.Another time an escape plan was foiled - a tunnel built by prisoners collapsed when a lorry drove over it.
The tunnel was about 300ft (91m) long, and wide enough for men to crawl through. The entrance was hidden under a piece of wood.The tunnel was about 300ft (91m) long, and wide enough for men to crawl through. The entrance was hidden under a piece of wood.
Before they were transferred to other camps, the last 180 Bucca detainees were held in Compound 16 - 10 men to each air-conditioned hut, alongside a fenced exercise area.Before they were transferred to other camps, the last 180 Bucca detainees were held in Compound 16 - 10 men to each air-conditioned hut, alongside a fenced exercise area.
From a watchtower, I looked down at small groups of men wearing yellow tunics and baggy yellow trousers walking relentlessly round and round - some silently, others chatting to each other.From a watchtower, I looked down at small groups of men wearing yellow tunics and baggy yellow trousers walking relentlessly round and round - some silently, others chatting to each other.
Some of them had been at Camp Bucca for three years.Some of them had been at Camp Bucca for three years.
They looked fit and healthy as they walked in the fierce desert sun. The temperature in the shade was 48C (118F). There was no shade in the exercise pen.They looked fit and healthy as they walked in the fierce desert sun. The temperature in the shade was 48C (118F). There was no shade in the exercise pen.
'Wicked insurgency''Wicked insurgency'
The men here are classified as "red" - the most dangerous in Iraq according to US Brig Gen David Quantock, who is in charge of detainees in US custody in Iraq.The men here are classified as "red" - the most dangerous in Iraq according to US Brig Gen David Quantock, who is in charge of detainees in US custody in Iraq.
"We know for a fact, for a fact," he says, jabbing a finger in the air, "that they're very dangerous individuals.""We know for a fact, for a fact," he says, jabbing a finger in the air, "that they're very dangerous individuals."
They must have a fair trial. That's their right Shatha al AbousiIraqi MPThey must have a fair trial. That's their right Shatha al AbousiIraqi MP
I suggest that, if he is so certain, the men should be prosecuted and the evidence presented in court.I suggest that, if he is so certain, the men should be prosecuted and the evidence presented in court.
"Sometimes, you cannot release the intelligence because it compromises the source of the intelligence," he replies."Sometimes, you cannot release the intelligence because it compromises the source of the intelligence," he replies.
General Quantock insists it was right to intern these men.General Quantock insists it was right to intern these men.
"We were at war. There are many short memories out there," he says. "The insurgency was wicked. It was killing many of our soldiers, and killing innocent Iraqi civilians by the dozen. And all of a sudden we're concerned?""We were at war. There are many short memories out there," he says. "The insurgency was wicked. It was killing many of our soldiers, and killing innocent Iraqi civilians by the dozen. And all of a sudden we're concerned?"
An Iraqi MP and deputy chair of the parliamentary human rights commission, Shatha al Abousi, says detention without trial is not acceptable.An Iraqi MP and deputy chair of the parliamentary human rights commission, Shatha al Abousi, says detention without trial is not acceptable.
"They must have a fair trial. That's their right," she says."They must have a fair trial. That's their right," she says.
Prisoner abusePrisoner abuse
Several detainees were being held indefinitely without charge Several detainees were being held indefinitely without charge (Photo: Hugh Sykes)
And there are long memories here of prisoner abuse by US forces.And there are long memories here of prisoner abuse by US forces.
A former Bucca detainee, Katheer Majid, says that even if Bucca was not Abu Ghraib, it was still abuse to keep him there for three years without trial.A former Bucca detainee, Katheer Majid, says that even if Bucca was not Abu Ghraib, it was still abuse to keep him there for three years without trial.
He was accused of carrying out sectarian killings for the Mehdi army militia. He says there was no evidence, that he never killed anyone. Eventually he was released without charge.He was accused of carrying out sectarian killings for the Mehdi army militia. He says there was no evidence, that he never killed anyone. Eventually he was released without charge.
Now, the Americans are trying to do everything by the book - working with the Central Criminal Court of Iraq to assemble actionable intelligence against the remaining detainees, or release them.Now, the Americans are trying to do everything by the book - working with the Central Criminal Court of Iraq to assemble actionable intelligence against the remaining detainees, or release them.
Under the security agreement that came into force on 1 January 2009, indefinite detention without charge is not permitted.Under the security agreement that came into force on 1 January 2009, indefinite detention without charge is not permitted.
The two remaining US detention camps - Cropper and Taji near Baghdad - are due to be handed over to Iraqi control in 2010. This is part of the long, slow process of handing every aspect of sovereignty here back to Iraq.The two remaining US detention camps - Cropper and Taji near Baghdad - are due to be handed over to Iraqi control in 2010. This is part of the long, slow process of handing every aspect of sovereignty here back to Iraq.
But it is not going to be easy. There are still more than 8,000 detainees at Camps Cropper and Taji.But it is not going to be easy. There are still more than 8,000 detainees at Camps Cropper and Taji.
At Guantanamo, there are only 245.At Guantanamo, there are only 245.