Marines "Wantonly" Killed Iraqi Women & Children

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Probe Finds Marines Killed Unarmed Iraqi Civilians

By Tony Perry, Times Staff Writer

May 26, 2006

SAN DIEGO — Marines from Camp Pendleton wantonly killed unarmed Iraqi civilians, including women and children, and then tried to cover up the slayings in the insurgent stronghold of Haditha, military investigations have found.

Officials who have seen the findings of the investigations said the filing of criminal charges, including some murder counts, was expected, which would make the Nov. 19 incident the most serious case of alleged U.S. war crimes in Iraq.

An administrative inquiry overseen by Army Maj. Gen. Eldon Bargewell found that several infantry Marines fatally shot as many as 24 Iraqis and that other Marines either failed to stop them or filed misleading or blatantly false reports.

The report concludes that a dozen Marines acted improperly after a roadside bomb explosion killed a fellow Marine, Lance Cpl. Miguel Terrazas.

Looking for insurgents, the Marines entered several homes and began firing their weapons, according to the report.

In its initial statement to the media, the Marine Corps said the Iraqi civilians were killed either by an insurgent bomb or by crossfire between Marines and insurgents.

But after Time magazine obtained pictures showing dead women and children and quoted Iraqis who said the attack was unprovoked, the Marine Corps backtracked on its explanation and called for an investigation.

The Marines, many of whom were on their third deployment to Iraq, are part of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Regiment of the 1st Marine Division.

The battalion commander and two company commanders were relieved of duty last month because, a spokesman said, Maj. Gen. Richard Natonski, commanding general of the division, had lost confidence in their leadership.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service, which conducted a separate investigation, is expected to call for criminal charges, including murder, negligent homicide, dereliction of duty and filing a false report.

After the roadside bomb killed Terrazas, the Marines conducted a sweep of the area, a common military tactic. But instead of following the Geneva Convention rules about identifying combatants, the Marines killed Iraqis in homes and five sitting in a vehicle, reportedly without provocation, the investigation found.

Bargewell's report is to be given soon to Army Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, the top operational commander in Baghdad. Chiarelli will make recommendations involving leadership, training and filing reports. Compensation has already been paid to families of some of the slain Iraqis.

Marine officials also confirmed Thursday that an investigation had been opened into an April 26 incident in which troops allegedly killed a civilian in the town of Hamandiya, west of Baghdad.

Marine Commandant Gen. Michael Hagee flew to Iraq on Thursday to talk to Marines and remind them of long-standing orders to protect Iraqi civilians and follow the Geneva Convention.

Hagee is emphasizing "the importance of our core values" and reminding troops about the laws of war, a Marine Corps statement said.

The Marine commandant planned to read to officers and enlisted personnel a statement reminding them: "We must regulate force and violence, we only damage property that must be damaged, and we protect the noncombatants we find on the battlefield."

Hagee last week briefed key congressional leaders on the upcoming report. One of those, Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.), a retired Marine colonel, said later that Marines "killed innocent civilians in cold blood."

Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, held a news conference last Friday to plead with reporters, politicians and the public not to judge U.S. troops by the action "of one squad, in one city, on one morning."

The Marines have had more than 700 personnel killed in Iraq.

In his statement, Hagee said that Marines should overcome the tendency "of becoming indifferent to the loss of a human life" in their dealings with Iraqi civilians.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...-home-headlines

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

pcs time to the usdb

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

pcs time to the usdb

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

that looks like a pic of the old usdb. they got a newer one out in the sticks on ft leavenworth.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

that looks like a pic of the old usdb. they got a newer one out in the sticks on ft leavenworth.

It is the old one. Couldn't find a pic of the new one.

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

i'll see if i can find you a pic of the new usdb

one article i found about the usdb

link

[Chuckles 0]

They will pay for their actions, which despite the stress of seeing many of their colleagues killed by people who hide behind civilians, will see justice because this is a particularly hanous crime.

Its a shame that the same doesn't happen to those who kill civilians in a 'holy war'. Despite those who do, and are obviously mentally deranged, they are vilified and looked at as heros by their governments and fellow citizens.

[almaty 19]

what? does that have to do with this arricle...

[Chuckles 0]

They will see justice... That is the point of the article. Their opponents who commit similar crimes will not. That enough for you?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

From todays news:

Bush 'troubled' by Haditha report

The problem here is that if this had been committed by European troops, they would be tried very publicly in an international war crimes court. The US government, in its infinite wisdom decides to deal with the incident in-house. There's transparency for you.

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

now tell them what they've won alex!

behind door number 1 - an all expense paid lengthy trip to fort leavenworth kansas!

behind door number 2 - forfeiture of all pay, allowances, and reduction to lowest grade!

behind door number 3 - a bcd!

[gimygirl 0]

From todays news:

Bush 'troubled' by Haditha report

The problem here is that if this had been committed by European troops, they would be tried very publicly in an international war crimes court. The US government, in its infinite wisdom decides to deal with the incident in-house. There's transparency for you.

just another cover-up, boys ... no big deal, right??

[almaty 19]

From todays news:

Bush 'troubled' by Haditha report

The problem here is that if this had been committed by European troops, they would be tried very publicly in an international war crimes court. The US government, in its infinite wisdom decides to deal with the incident in-house. There's transparency for you.

just another cover-up, boys ... no big deal, right??

another cover-up....is right sister monique....

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

From todays news:

Bush 'troubled' by Haditha report

The problem here is that if this had been committed by European troops, they would be tried very publicly in an international war crimes court. The US government, in its infinite wisdom decides to deal with the incident in-house. There's transparency for you.

just another cover-up, boys ... no big deal, right??

This sort of thing has been a major public relations problem for the armed forces, and by extension the US government.

If true, this will be the first major outright atrocity committed by US troops, far beyond anything that took place at Abu Ghraib. Exactly the reason US should have signed up to the international criminal court.

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

From todays news:

Bush 'troubled' by Haditha report

The problem here is that if this had been committed by European troops, they would be tried very publicly in an international war crimes court. The US government, in its infinite wisdom decides to deal with the incident in-house. There's transparency for you.

hardly the case at all. they'll do no less than 10 years at the usdb. show me an example of any european troops being sentenced to anything longer.