Iraq

Inquiry says British officer didn't abuse POWs

LONDON - British and U.S. military investigators have cleared a British officer of allegations that he mistreated prisoners of war in Iraq, the Ministry of Defense said Monday.

Ministry of Defense police concluded no criminal proceedings should be taken against Col. Tim Collins, who made headlines on the eve of war with a stirring speech to his unit, the 1st battalion of the Irish Guards.

The investigation was prompted by a U.S. soldier who alleged that Collins' treatment of prisoners of war and an Iraqi civic leader might have broken the Geneva Convention.

The Ministry of Defense said U.S. military police were involved in the investigation and had concluded no action should be taken against Collins, who was recently promoted from the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Published reports said a U.S. soldier, Maj. Re Biastre, had accused Collins of punching, kicking and threatening prisoners to get information, and that he hit an Iraqi civilian official with his pistol. Collins denied the accusations.

Collins, 43, who was often photographed in designer sunglasses and smoking a cigar, galvanized his troops in Kuwait on the eve of battle with a speech that urged them to do their duty while treating the enemy with respect.

"Wipe them out if that is what they choose. But if you are ferocious in battle, remember to be magnanimous in victory," he said.

Prince Charles wrote to Collins that he was "profoundly moved" by the "extraordinarily stirring, civilized and humane" speech.

The Ministry of Defense is holding a separate investigation into conditions in the regiment under Collins' command. That inquiry is connected to the death of a soldier who reportedly committed suicide two years ago.

Collins left the regiment after the war and is awaiting a new posting.

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