corrente

A nice summing up, from a mainstream source: the Sydney Morning Herald. (Thank God all the newspapers written in English aren't American!) Some of the major discrepancies listed:

In the next scene, Berg is sitting on the floor with five masked figures standing behind him. Among the many curiosities raised on the web about the fanatical five are:

• They are well-fed, fidgety, and reveal glimpses of white skin.


• Their Arabic is heavily accented (Russian, Jordanian, Egyptian).


• An aside in Russian had been translated as "do it quickly".


• One character wears wears bulky white tennis shoes.


• The man on the far left stands in the familiar "at ease" military posture.


• The men's scarves are worn and tied by people who "haven't a clue", says conspiracy theorist Hector Carreon, like actors in Hollywood movies.

(via Sydney Morning Herald)

Interestingly, the SMH cites one Nick Possum's blog. Nick makes this very plausible point:

I believe that footage showing Berg in the white plastic chair, unrestrained and calmly giving his name and family details, was shot as routine investigative documentation by CIA and/or FBI interrogators while Berg was imprisoned -- either at a US run facility or perhaps by the Iraqis, depending on who’s story you believe -- after he was picked up by Iraqi police in Mosul.

The footage looks so routine because it was routine. Berg was arrested, his clothes were taken away, he was given the jumpsuit and then questioned. Quite probably he was asked a series of questions during the three “interviews” we know took place, and his responses were videotaped in much the same way as police interrogations are audio and/or videotaped in most countries.

In fact, Nick Possum has worked out a reasonable alternative scenario for the entire video. Go read. And remember: These guys will do anything.

UPDATE Alert reader Half-caste points out that I consistently type "Sidney" instead of "Sydney," when writing of the Australian city. My apologies to Mr. Greenstreet, too.