“Nothing justifies killing” – Jordanian paper on beheading: An editorial in Jordan Times web site on 13 May deplored the beheading of US captive Nick Berg by Muslim extremists. It said Berg’s killing, which was ostensibly committed in retaliation for the abuse and torture of Iraqi prisoners by US soldiers in Abu-Ghurayb prison, could not avenge their mistreatment. “Taking the life of a man who obviously had nothing to do with the prison conditions in Iraq only trivialises the Iraqis’ ordeal and plasters the repulsive face of the occupation with a mask of acceptance of such gross violence. It is also likely to deflect anger from those responsible for the inhumane treatment of detainees, weakening the case for bringing them to justice,” it said. “Perpetrators of crime have to be brought to justice. Whoever and wherever they are. International conventions and the rule of law must be observed. Humanity cannot be held ransom to barbarity and nothing justifies killing,” it said. (Jordan Times web site, 13 May 04) ”

“Egypt condemns Iraq torture, beheading: Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Mahir on 13 May condemned pictures showing Iraqi prisoners being abused and the decapitation of a US civilian, the Egyptian news agency MENA reported. He described the torture and abuse of Iraqi prisoners as a “despicable crime” and the beheading of US civilian Nick Berg as a “heinous crime” that went against human principles. (MENA news agency, 1352 gmt 13 May 04)”

“Nothing justifies killing” – Jordanian paper on beheading: An editorial in Jordan Times web site on 13 May deplored the beheading of US captive Nick Berg by Muslim extremists. It said Berg’s killing, which was ostensibly committed in retaliation for the abuse and torture of Iraqi prisoners by US soldiers in Abu-Ghurayb prison, could not avenge their mistreatment. “Taking the life of a man who obviously had nothing to do with the prison conditions in Iraq only trivialises the Iraqis’ ordeal and plasters the repulsive face of the occupation with a mask of acceptance of such gross violence. It is also likely to deflect anger from those responsible for the inhumane treatment of detainees, weakening the case for bringing them to justice,” it said. “Perpetrators of crime have to be brought to justice. Whoever and wherever they are. International conventions and the rule of law must be observed. Humanity cannot be held ransom to barbarity and nothing justifies killing,” it said. (Jordan Times web site, 13 May 04) “