Posted on 06/01/2006 7:06:37 AM PDT by delacoert
WASHINGTON, June 1 (Reuters) - A U.S. military inquiry into whether Marines tried to cover up the killings of Iraqi civilians in Haditha will conclude that some officers gave false reports to their superiors, who then failed to scrutinize the information, according to a newspaper report on Thursday.
The Washington Post, citing an unidentified Army official, said the three-month investigation was also expected to call for changes in how U.S. troops are trained for duty in Iraq.
The investigation is one of two ongoing military probes into the Nov. 19 killings of 24 men, women and children in the town of Haditha, 125 miles (200 km) northwest of Baghdad in an area that has seen much activity by Sunni Arab insurgents.
(Excerpt) Read more at alertnet.org ...
Glad you emphasized that important point.
Kerry is prob getting his suit ready for the firing squad.Murtha will give the order.Press will cheer!
For my take on "unidentified" or "anonymous" sources, see my tagline. Unless someone is willing to come forward with their name and reputation on the line, I'm not willing to take them seriously.
The Washington Post, citing an unidentified Army official, said the three-month investigation was also expected to call for changes in how U.S. troops are trained for duty in Iraq.
The investigation is one of two ongoing military probes into the Nov. 19 killings of 24 men, women and children in the town of Haditha, 125 miles (200 km) northwest of Baghdad in an area that has seen much activity by Sunni Arab insurgents.
The newspaper reported that the Army official said there were multiple failures but declined to say whether he would characterize it as a 'coverup' as alleged by Rep. John Murtha.
The Pennsylvania Democrat, a decorated retired Marine, is a vocal critic of the war in Iraq.
The Post said a final report on the probe, led by Army Maj. General Eldon Bargewell, was expected to be delivered to top commanders by the end of the week.
A new focus on training would begin as early as Thursday when Army Gen. George W. Casey, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, was expected to order all U.S. and allied troops in Iraq receive "core values" training, the newspaper reported.
"Not only will leaders discuss how to treat civilians under the rules of engagement, but small units also will be ordered to go through training scenarios to gauge their understanding of those rules," the report said.
There was no immediate comment from a U.S. Central Command spokesman in Baghdad.
A separate ongoing military inquiry found evidence that the killings in Haditha were unprovoked, contradicting an account of the incident by U.S. Marines, U.S. officials said on Wednesday.
The probe by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, responsible for cases involving Marines, might lead to charges including murder, officials said.
I bet this "official" is very proud of himself/herself!!! Wonder how that "official" voted in the last election?
When somebody goes ON the record, then I'll believe them. So far it's all spin and hearsay. I wish everyone would shut up and let the invistigation go forward and WAIT to make judgements. ARGH!
Why don't they train the Iraqi civilians how NOT TO FLY THROUGH CHECKPOINTS!!!!
Last I checked military investigations until complete are classified so I think either they are lying, their source is lying or they need to both be going to jail.
The use of Murtha's name within an article should instantly nullify it being credible, IMHO.
When somebody goes ON the record, then I'll believe them. So far it's all spin and hearsay. I wish everyone would shut up and let the invistigation go forward and WAIT to make judgements. ARGH!
Worth repeating....
Have you considered the possibility that the Pentagon is intentionally "leaking" this information in order to take some of the steam out of the final report when it is issued?
If there are no repercussions to any of these sources for "leaking," then you can pretty well figure that these stories are dribbling out with the specific authorization of the military.
They're not going to shut up because they have one goal in mind and that is to make this administration and the military look as bad as they can in hopes to sway the '06 congressional elections and get President Bush impeached.
It occurred to me but if that was their reasons then I have much of an issue with the Pentagon than just the leak because of who they're using as their outlets.
AS with the Abu Ghareib thing, in this instance OUR milatary brought this out to the public not the MSM. The MSM is picking up on it as they did with Abu Ghareib and Gitmo.
My hatred for the media grows like wildfire with each passing day.
It's not even that they report this story- it's the absolutely vile way in which they do so. They're GLEEFUL- excited about a story they've turned into a wholesale condemnation of our armed forces.
Why would the Pentagon not use its largest sources? The Washington Post, the New York Times, the LA Times are quoted in smaller daily newspapers via the wire services, which is why the government uses them to the degree it does.
I agree.....they have already tried and convicted these Marines without having heard a word from them.....
Oh...great, the investigation isn't even complete..but they are sending in groups to teach the troops how to "act"???
Personally, I would rather have them "survive"...
This PC crapola is gonna get more killed.
The MSM makes a big deal everyday about how many deaths of troops there are....and some have already started their countdown to 3000...
BUT, they are also seem to expect the troops to frisk the insurgents before they take any action...
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