Top Secret UK Eyes Only
'Top Secret UK Eyes Only,' reads the warning on the cover. If everything Downing Street had been asserting for weeks was true, then inside the leaked British intelligence report would be the damning and incontrovertible evidence that Saddam Hussein's regime had links with Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda terrorist network. Instead, on page after page, the connection was shown to be tenuous to say the least. The findings far from the endorsement of military action that the warmongers in Whitehall and the Pentagon wanted. It stated that contacts between al-Qaeda and Iraq 'had foundered due to mistrust and incompatible ideology'. Indeed, bin Laden himself had attested that Iraq's ruling Ba'athist party ran contrary to his own religion and called it an 'apostate regime'. In a nutshell, the report concluded that bin Laden's aims were 'in ideological conflict with present-day Iraq'.
Spinning the Narrative
For the spin doctors, the report posed a major problem. Ever since the immediate aftermath of September 11 right up until the outbreak of war in Iraq, it had been the Holy Grail of US and British political hard-liners to link Saddam with al-Qaeda and join up their war on terrorism with their policy of regime change in Baghdad. In September last year, Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld claimed the CIA had 'bulletproof' evidence of 'linkage', while by February of this year, around the time the British intelligence report was leaked, Tony Blair was still insisting on 'definite links' that 'unquestionably' did exist. Inexplicably though, Blair claimed never to have seen the Ministry of Defence intelligence document rejecting the Iraqi-al-Qaeda connection, saying that it was 'not part of the reports given to me'.
Questions Remain Unanswered
If there is some confusion here, it is hardly surprising: the story of the alleged link between the Iraqi regime and al-Qaeda is one of fabrication and manipulation, on both sides of the Atlantic, and which has led to a profound sense of disquiet among many within the intelligence community who saw the use of 'selective intelligence' contorted and politicized to support the case for war with Iraq. Even in the wake of the Iraq war, a number of questions remain unanswered. For example, how real was the evidence offered up as proof of the dangerous Baghdad-bin Laden alliance? Does it still stand up? Indeed, did it ever? Just who was behind its compilation, and has the obsession with establishing linkage actually resulted in letting al-Qaeda off the hook? And has the strike on Iraq really delivered such a devastating blow in the war against terror that Washington and London said it would?
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi
In mapping out Iraq's links to terrorism before the United Nations Security Council, Powell highlighted the case of al-Qaeda commander Fedel Nazzel Khalayleh, better known as Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. A Palestinian-Jordanian and veteran of the Afghan war against the Soviets, stories about al-Zarqawi had been carefully fed to the media, suggesting his key role as the connection between bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. Most of them have been unsourced. So what is known about his career? According to Jordanian intelligence, he fled Afghanistan in late 2001, first to Iran from where he traveled to Iraq in May 2002, where his wounded leg was amputated and the limb fitted with a prosthesis. He spent two months recovering in Baghdad, at which time, according to Powell, 'nearly two dozen extremists converged on Baghdad and established a base of operations there'. Powell claimed that 'these al-Qaeda affiliates, based in Baghdad, now co-ordinate the movement of people, money, and supplies into and throughout Iraq for his network, and they've now been operating freely in the capital for more than eight months'. Yet during this period, US intelligence officials were adamant there was no evidence that al-Zarqawi was in contact with Saddam's government or indeed that Saddam even knew he was there. This was also the view of British intelligence who, according to the leaked MOD report, knew of al-Zarqawi's medical treatment in Baghdad but had seen no evidence of any 'firmer links'. In the end, Rumsfeld had to admit that the claim about al-Qaeda in Baghdad was only a provisional intelligence finding based on a single source and offered no further details about the nature of the alleged complicity.
Ansar al-Islam
In the last 10 years, Kurdish northern Iraq had sprouted its own largely home-grown radical Islamic movement. Ansar al-Islam, a group of 600 or so Kurdish Islamists, bolstered by around 70, largely Arab, foreigners, had set up a miniature version of the Taliban's Afghanistan complete with bans on televisions, sanctions on 'immodest behavior' by women, and training camps for fighters and suicide bombers. The group may recently have been radicalized by bin Laden's influence and agents, but this does not make it an al-Qaeda group. The simple fact was that Ansar al-Islam was based in territory outside Saddam's control in the northern Kurdish enclave, making it difficult for the Pentagon's accusations to have any real credibility. Baghdad's agents may well have infiltrated Ansar al-Islam with a view to monitoring the developments of the group (indeed it would be odd if they had not) but that appears to be about as far as their involvement with the group goes.
Mohammed Atta
What we know was certainly not true, despite US insistence to the contrary, was that Mohammed Atta met an Iraqi agent several times in Prague before Atta's participation in the September 11 attacks. British intelligence sources who leaked the report also dismissed US claims of the meeting. Czech security chiefs have now concluded they made a mistake in their earlier reports of such a rendezvous. Indeed, President Vaclav Havel said that there was no evidence that Atta had met with an Iraqi intelligence officer in Prague.
The Aftermath
At face value, the extent of any true collaboration between Saddam's Ba'athist regime and Osama's al-Qaeda network seems more a product of fiction than reality. The war in Iraq has produced a marvelous propaganda weapon for al-Qaeda and helped with their message that they must mobilize to fight a holy war. Questions need to be raised about the success or failure of intelligence reports, and if there was manipulation or evidence of disregarding relevant information in favor of a predetermined perspective. The extent of any lies or disinformation about the war in Iraq, based on politicized and selective intelligence, needs further examination.
The Reality of Torture and its Impact on Hotels
The issue of torture is a grave concern that affects not only individuals but also has broader societal implications. While international law strictly prohibits torture and deems it a crime against humanity, instances of torture still occur in various parts of the world. The reality of torture is an ongoing challenge that needs to be addressed, not only from a human rights perspective but also from the perspective of its impact on different aspects of society, including the hotel industry.
Human Rights and Tourism
Torture goes against the principles of human rights, which underpin the values of equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. The tourism industry, including hotels, has a responsibility to uphold these principles and create environments that prioritize the well-being and safety of guests. Instances of torture can create a negative image for a destination, leading to a decline in tourism and potential economic repercussions for the hotel industry.
The Role of Hotels
Hotels play an essential role in the travel experience of individuals. They are not only places to stay but also serve as gateways for exploring different cultures and destinations. Hotels have the opportunity to promote human rights values by implementing policies and procedures that prioritize the safety and well-being of guests and staff. This includes ensuring the prevention of torture and other forms of abuse within their premises.
Ethical Supply Chains
One aspect that hotels can focus on is their supply chains. It is crucial for hotels to ensure that the products and services they source are not associated with any human rights abuses, including torture. By conducting due diligence on suppliers and holding them to ethical standards, hotels can contribute to the prevention of torture at various stages of the supply chain.
Training and Awareness
Hotels can also invest in training programs and awareness campaigns for their staff to recognize signs of potential abuse and respond appropriately. This includes providing education on human rights, the prevention of torture, and how to handle challenging situations in a respectful and non-violent manner.
Collaboration and Advocacy
Hotels can collaborate with local human rights organizations, NGOs, and government agencies to advocate for the prevention of torture and the protection of human rights. This can involve participating in initiatives, supporting campaigns, and using their platforms to raise awareness about human rights abuses.
The Benefits of a Torture-free Environment
Creating a torture-free environment within the hotel industry not only aligns with ethical principles but also has numerous benefits. It enhances the reputation of hotels and destinations, attracting conscious travelers who prioritize human rights values. It also contributes to the overall well-being of guests and staff, creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere.