The Two Faces of Murat Kurnaz

Everyone has followed the case of Murat Kurnaz, the Hamburg-born Turk who was picked up on the battle-field and turned over to American forces in Afghanistan in 2002. His case has been cause for continued polarization for some, continued befuddlement for others.

Many on the left has used this case to batter the policies of the American administration…perhaps, rightfully so. However, it seems to me that there is still so very much we don’t know about this case. I have waited for “follow-up journalism” by those who gleefully wrote about this case being proof of the evil and lawless nature of the Bush Administration. I’ve seen very little follow-up.

Of course, news that the Bush Administration offered to return Kurnaz to Germany (shortly after he arrived in Guantanamo Bay) has not been highlighted by those who openly criticized the Administration. To be honest, I really don’t know what the deal is with Murat Kurnaz, but I do know that the abuses that he alleges are at best…ill defined. I suppose most of his accusations are a matter of he said – she said. Of course physical beatings are one thing, but some of his other claims are not at clear-cut.

Turning off the air conditioners, in my mind, can hardly qualify as “torture.” Does anyone know for sure how many Cubans have air conditioning? Heck, how many of the elderly in France had air conditioning during the heat wave several years ago?

He also claims lack of food. I’m sorry, but look at the before and after photos of him! He doesn’t look malnourished to me.

There seems to be a fair amount of follow up into this story by the German media, primarily with respect to German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s involvement. This should be perhaps extended to former Foreign Minster Joschka Fischer as well. According to an internal German intelligence report, the US showed willingness to release Kurnaz in November 2002 due to lack of evidence, and as a symbol of goodwill towards Germany. The Germans allegedly refused this offer.

But the left-leaning American blogosphere has failed to provide much in the way of follow up to this situation. Many used the assumption that the renegade Bush Administration holding an innocent man out of arrogant reasons. The fact the US government tried to return Murat Kurnaz to Germany almost immediately after his arrival in Guantanamo does little to elicit any sort of re-assessment.