U.S. Marine general says no apology for Iraq attack

Reuters ^ | 5/20/04

[areafiftyone]

FALLUJA, Iraq, May 20 (Reuters) - A U.S. Marine general said on Thursday he had no need to apologise for an attack in the remote Iraqi desert that killed around 40 people who witnesses say included women and children celebrating a wedding.

"How many people go to the middle of the desert 10 miles (16 km) from the Syrian border to hold a wedding 80 miles (130 km) from the nearest civilisation?" Major General James Mattis, commander of the 1st Marine Division, told reporters in Falluja.

"These were more than two dozen military-age males. Let's not be naive."

Asked about witness testimony and footage from Dubai-based Al Arabiya television which showed weeping relatives lowering bodies, one of a child, into graves, he said: "I have not seen the pictures but bad things happen in wars. I don't have to apologise for the conduct of my men."

Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt, deputy director of operations for the U.S. military in Iraq, earlier told Reuters the attack early on Wednesday had targeted "a suspected foreign fighter safe house", 25 km (16 miles) east of the Syrian border.

Witnesses said the attack was on a house where a wedding had been held and killed 41 people.

[Cicero]

According to earlier stories, numerous weapons were found at the site. They forgot to print that, too.

[goldstategop]

No restraint. A concern for non-combatant casualties is unimportant when the attacker happens to be American.

[Mr. Lucky]

That's it. This unreconstructed jarhead needs to be forced to undergo Sensitiiiiiivity Training.

[areafiftyone]

What really stunk was the body of the child with no head. How dumb can the media be about that one.

[oceanview]

Rumsfeld and Myers need to get to a microphone on this one and start blasting the media - that's what Americans want to hear, a majority of people are sick and tired of the media.

[montag813]

How about no apology for Abu Graib?

[kellynla]

apologies = apologizes (I still know how to spell LOL)

[RetiredArmy]

Carried away. Pal let me tell you about carried away!

On my last mission in Vietnam, we were told by higher headquarters that "you cannot shoot at anyone unless you are being shot at. Even if you see someone running away carrying an AK47 or RPG, dressed in NVA uniforms, you are in a non-free fire zone and cannot shoot, UNLESS YOU CHECK THEIR ID FIRST!!!!!!!!!" Well, my platoon sergeant said, F that. He said shoot first, check ID later. If you are in an NVA uniform and carrying an AK47, that is ID enough for him and me.

Thus, that is exactly how I feel about it, then and now. Shoot first. Ask questions later. You may not get to the shoot second part if you try to ask questions or check IDs first! As for the media. I consider ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, CNN, etc. all to be abater's and aiding the enemy attempting to kill my fellow soldiers and Marines. If you don't like my attitude, sorry, tough. Look elsewhere for someone to agree with you because I am not!

[RepublicansForDean]

Notice how the media hasn't reported the latest details of the incident.

But, boy, yesterday they were quick to report what little information they had, since it put the US in a bad light.

[McGavin999]

"How many people go to the middle of the desert 10 miles (16 km) from the Syrian border to hold a wedding 80 miles (130 km) from the nearest civilisation?" Major General James Mattis, commander of the 1st Marine Division, told reporters in Falluja.

This is exactly the kind of response that needs to be given to these reporters. Who holds a wedding at 3 AM on a Wednesday?

[rintense]

I did not know that! Thanks!

[goodnesswins]

Yeah...and this morning on our local station Paul Harvey is reporting we shot up people at a Wedding.....sheesh.

[RetiredArmy]

Time to bring that satellite down.

[A.A. Cunningham]

No better friend, no worse enemy.

Major General James N. Mattis
Commanding General, 1st Marine Division

Major General James N. Mattis is currently serving as the Commanding General, 1st Marine Division. He assumed his current assignment on 2 August 2002.

As a Lieutenant, he served as a rifle and weapons platoon commander in the 3d Marine Division. As a Captain, he commanded a rifle company and a weapons company in the 1st Marine Brigade. As a Major, he commanded RS Portland. As a Lieutenant Colonel, he commanded 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, one of Task Force Ripper's assault battalions in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. As a Colonel, he commanded 7th Marines (Reinforced). As a Brigadier General, he commanded 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade and then Task Force 58, during operations in southern Afghanistan.

He is a graduate of the Amphibious Warfare School, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the National War College.

(Revised Oct 30, 2002)

[RetiredArmy]

Go figure.

[WatchOutForSnakes]

You beat me to it. It won't be long before an apology is issued by someone in the pentagon or the Bush administration itself and this general will be called before a congressional hearing and forced to beg for forgiveness. He is to plain spoken to be allowed to get away with that. Not PC, don't you know.

[LADY J]

Just heard on Boortz radio show - a caller said that Iraqi's only get married on Thursday night. This attack happened on a Wednesday. Anyone have more info on this?

Hope they find more of these 'safe houses' and blow them away.

Way to go Marines!!

[b4its2late]

I believe the Marines.

It's the media I distrust.

[gunnyg]

Old Marines saying...
"You can shock the shit troops,
But you can't shit the shock troops!"
-Author Unknown

[Naspino]

Did you read my post at all?