SPIEGEL:

Islamist extremists have brutally beheaded a young American. Is the Iraqi resistance against the United States escalating into a bloody frenzy?

Turki: That is to be feared, even though the killers are members of a small group who have severely damaged their country and their religion. Anyone who possesses even a shred of humanity strictly rejects such horrible acts of violence. At the same time, however, we are discovering that ever since the torture practices in prisons became public, hatred for the Americans and the British is on the rise and is capable of expressing itself in terrible ways.

SPIEGEL: Does this mean that the horrible video could serve as a signal for additional murders?

Turki: No one can rule this out, in principle. Iraq is now completely out of control. Naturally, the terrible images of the degradation of Iraqi citizens can trigger volatile acts.

SPIEGEL: The Americans intend to take decisive action against those who are responsible within their own ranks. Will punishing the perpetrators be enough to appease Iraqi rage?

Turki: If this does not occur, the protests will become a popular revolt that no army in the world will be able to quell, no matter how powerful it is. The Americans have never listened to good advice and, as a result, bear full responsibility for the current situation, including the consequences of the torture scandals.

SPIEGEL: You resigned to protest the abuse.

Turki: I also resigned because the Americans have indiscriminately attacked Iraqi cities with helicopters and aircraft, because they have behaved inhumanly during house searches, because they have stolen and taken away the dignity of human beings. It became clear to me that the Americans were not interested in resolving problems peacefully. Instead, they were truly obsessed with using military force to deal with all kinds of difficulties.

SPIEGEL: You reported the abuses in Abu Ghraib prison to US civilian administrator Paul Bremer early on.

Turki: That's true. In December of last year. And he did intervene and achieve better treatment of female prisoners. Aside from that, the military didn't pay attention to Bremer and just kept on doing what it was doing. I am almost certain that US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld must have been fully informed about everything four months before the torture practices were made public. These photos have injured us so deeply that it no longer matters whether he resigns.

SPIEGEL: In a few weeks, the Americans plan to transfer sovereignty to a provisional Iraqi government. Could this provide a way out of the current chaos?

Turki: One thing certainly should not happen. The governing council appointed by Bremer should not be expanded and then be installed as a provisional government. A provisional government only stands a chance if it includes technocrats, some of the ministers currently in office, and individuals who are not part of the governing council. We also need independent people. Most of all, we must hold elections as quickly as possible.

SPIEGEL: But elections are already on the drawing board...

Turki: ... I am afraid that Project Democracy is already in jeopardy. Ever since Abu Ghraib, trust in the Americans has evaporated, and as violence increases, time is running out for us.