 
 |
Posted on 03/04/2007 2:53:42 PM PST by RedRover
KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan journalists covering the aftermath of a suicide bomb attack and shooting in eastern Afghanistan Sunday said U.S. troops deleted their photos and video and warned them not to publish or air any images of U.S. troops or a car where three Afghans were shot to death.
Afghan witnesses and gunshot victims said U.S. forces fired on civilians in cars and on foot along at least a six-mile stretch of road in Nangarhar province following a suicide attack against the Marine convoy. The U.S. military said militants also fired on American forces during the attack.
The U.S. military and Afghan officials said eight Afghans died and 34 were wounded in the violence. One Marine was also injured.
A freelance photographer working for The Associated Press and a cameraman working for AP Television News said a U.S. soldier deleted their photos and video showing a four-wheel drive vehicle in which three people were shot to death about 100 yards from the suicide bombing. The AP plans to lodge a protest with the American military.
The photographer, Rahmat Gul, said witnesses at the scene told him the three had been shot to death by U.S. forces fleeing the attack. The two AP freelancers arrived at the site about a half hour after the suicide bombing, Gul said.
"When I went near the four-wheel drive, I saw the Americans taking pictures of the same car, so I started taking pictures," Gul said. "Two soldiers with a translator came and said, 'Why are you taking pictures? You don't have permission.'"
It wasn't clear why the accredited journalists would need permission to take photos of a civilian car on a public highway.
Gul said the U.S. troops took his camera, deleted his photos and returned it to him. The journalists came across another American, showed their identification cards, and he agreed that they could take pictures.
A Western military official who asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to release the information said the troops were Marine Special Operations Forces, the Marine Corps component created in February 2006 of the U.S. Special Operations Command.
"The same soldier who took my camera came again and deleted my photos," Gul said. "The soldier was very angry ... I told him, 'They gave us permission,' but he didn't listen."
Gul's new photos were also deleted, and the American, speaking through a translator, warned him that he did not want to see any AP photos published anywhere. The American also raised his fist in anger as if he were going to hit him, but he did not strike, Gul said.
Lt. Col. David Accetta, a U.S. military spokesman, said he did not have any confirmed reports that coalition forces "have been involved in confiscating cameras or deleting images."
Khanwali Kamran, a reporter for the Afghan channel Ariana Television, was in a small group of journalists working alongside Gul. Kamran said the American soldiers also deleted his footage.
"They warned me that if it is aired ... then, 'You will face problems,'" Kamran said.
Taqiullah Taqi, a reporter for Afghanistan's largest television station, Tolo TV, said Americans were using abusive language.
"According to the translator, they said, 'Delete them, or we will delete you,'" Taqi said.
A freelance cameraman for AP Television News said that about 100 yards from the bomb site, a U.S. officer told him that he could not go any closer to the scene but that he could shoot footage. The cameraman asked not to be named for his own safety.
"Then I started filming the suicide attack site, where there was a body and U.S. soldiers, and farther away, there was a four-wheel drive vehicle in which three people were shot to death," he said.
As he was filming, he said, a U.S. soldier and translator "ordered us not to move." The cameraman said they were very angry and deleted any footage that included the Americans, as well as part of an interview from a demonstration. Hundreds of Afghans had gathered to protest the violence.
Reporters Without Borders condemned the actions of the U.S. forces, saying they dealt with the press poorly.
"Why did the soldiers do it if they don't have anything to hide? The situation is very tense in Afghanistan, and the media should be able to report about it freely and safely," said Jean-Francois Julliard, a spokesman for the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders.
And discussed here on Michele Malkin’s Hot Air.
The AP photographer is nothing but a vulture....he should have an "accident"...
AMIR SHAH, Associated Press Writer
Sorry, but this story has zero credibility as presented, IMO. As I stated previously, it is not surprising at all that the MSM would be quick to jump on such a story if it would in any way make our soldiers look bad. The MSM inherently despises our military, and will always use it as a tool to bash President Bush and/or Republicans/Conservatives if given the opportunity.
"Reporters Without Borders condemned the actions of the U.S. forces, saying they dealt with the press poorly."
Screw 'em!
They dealt with them forthrightly and honestly, which is far better than how the press deals with our military.
Liars want you to "tell" "the" truth, in fact a truth they want to fabricate, they want people to confess, and instead of forgiving, they turn around and use that as accusing material...
Look for who wants to bury whom and what here indeed. The death cults of spoiliation and burying have to be eradicated.
I don't know if I would go that far but clearly, someone needs to manage all phases of this war, starting now. No reporters/photographers in military prisons to start with...
Most images/videos etc can be undeleted from the flash ram.
A simple Google search for your camera model and 'undelete' should get you instructions.
Our soldiers need to be better trained at effectively deleting. Taking the camera is foolproof.
most of the Marines I was stationed with, we would have destroyed the cameras and film, most likely by fire and then I'm pretty sure the man filming our dead Brothers would have been very very upset and sorry for what he had done...... Just like the time that Geraldo, was there putting troop movement onto the news showing the enemy, the only thing I can think to say is treason, and this time a chair wouldn't be the weapon and he would have more than a broken nose.......
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS, ARMY NAVY AIR FORCE MARINES
former Marine and now USAFR
This is a war, a war that cannot be won while the media continues as if it is peacetime. They must expect some control, for the common good.
They must also decide who's side they are on, and take the consquences if the decide they are against America.
Just more leftist Urinalist attempts.
Because you're in a foreign country in the middle of a war and the nice man with the gun says so. That's why you puke.
L
|
Seeing a soldier's rifle pointed at you will change your mind right away about whatever you are doing. Abusive language? Panties on head? Get real.
Beautiful posting devolve!!
Thank you for your service!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
