Pace: Ongoing Probes Will Yield Facts About Haditha Incident

American Forces Press Service ^ | John D. Banusiewicz

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, May 29, 2006 – No good can come of speculation surrounding a Nov. 19 incident in Haditha, Iraq, in which 24 Iraqi civilians, including women and children, were killed in the aftermath of a roadside bomb attack, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today. Marine Gen. Peter Pace also stressed that investigations into alleged misconduct by U.S. Marines in the incident are not yet complete.

Appearing on CNN's "American Morning" for what was to have been an interview focusing on the nation's Memorial Day observance today, Pace told Miles O'Brien that two investigations are still in progress: one to find out what happened, and another to find out why senior officials were not aware of the misconduct allegations until February.

"We will find out what happened, and we'll make it public," Pace said. "But to speculate right now wouldn't do anybody any good."

Army Lt. Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, commander of Multinational Corps Iraq, initiated a preliminary investigation Feb. 14 when reporters told U.S. officials about allegations of possible violations of the rules of engagement by Marines. In a March 17 news conference, the general said he had ordered further investigation based on the results of the initial probe.

"I understand it's going to be a couple of more weeks before those investigations are complete, and we should not prejudge the outcome," Pace said today. "But we should, in fact, as leaders, take on the responsibility to get out and talk to our troops and make sure that they understand that what 99.9 percent of them are doing, which is fighting with honor and courage, is exactly what we expect of them."

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Michael W. Hagee is in Iraq doing just that, the chairman said, "because regardless of where this investigation goes, we want to ensure that our troops understand what's expected of them in combat."

Asked if he suspects that a cover-up at lower levels of command caused the delay between the incident and senior officials becoming aware of possible misconduct, Pace said he doesn't suspect anything, but rather is waiting for the investigation to yield the facts.

"If the allegations, as they're being portrayed in the newspaper, turn out to be valid, then of course there will be charges," he said. "But we don't know yet what the outcome will be. It'll take its course. It will be made public, and we'll all be able to make our own judgments."

[txrangerette]

President Bush does NOT control the rules under which the military operates on the field of battle. There are military codes and military lawyers and the like...you must know that.

The decision WAS made at the highest level, no doubt, to work with the Iraqis that we could work with, as soon as we could do so. It was their country, not ours. We ousted Saddam and killed his sons. Yes, a lot of troubling stuff has happened and will. Like the Ayatollah Sistani for instance, Mr. Big of the Shias, does not want us to Kill Sadr. He believes it would go much worse for us to make him a martyr. So we have listened to his advice, as he has actually done MUCH to help us otherwise.

I am one who agrees with the judgement of the President that we should not have tried to lock down that country under the hammerlock of American force and power. Many people disagree with me and blame the President because we did not go in there and virtually destroy the place and what was left run it like a dictatorship. Fine. Disagree.

But Coop is right. The President has ten times the guts he even needs. You are drawing an unsupported conclusion that his judgement and decisions were due to lack of guts. Really, you just disagree with them.

Nobody is gutless in this little dustup here. But it's too easy to say so from your typewriter on the internet, even when so much about this man absolutely proves otherwise.

[DakotaRed]

Unfortunately, if they are found innocent the real outrage and cries of massive cover-up will start, louder than ever.

That is the wrongness of the media trying what they wish to in the public eye as they are doing.

They have condemned the Marines before anyone actually knows for sure what happened.

[Coop]

I had a good friend seriously wounded and was refused permission to return fire.

You leave out many details. Our troops are allowed to defend themselves, especially when fired upon. Your blanket implication is pretty lame.

I'm sorry you feel betrayed from Vietnam, but I thank you for your service.

[Raycpa]

The liberals cry about "tainting the jury pool" when it comes to a dubious accusation of rape. However, when it comes to Marines being accused of murder, there is no such concern. Hypocrits is an understatement.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Brave accusation knowing the general cannot publicly criticize a member of Congress.

Pace Murtha

[Coop]

Thanks for reminding me of their previous tangles. :-)

[Natural Law]

If areas of Iraq were declared a free fire zone or if air-strikes were the response to assaults on our troops we wouldn't have ground pounders being prosicuted for not being JAGs.

I think there is a degree of gutlessness in blaming the Military leadership for insufficient troop levels. When asked about this the president always dumps it off on the generals saying they have all of the troops they have asked for. If the generals asked for double the troop strength what would the response be? Nada, the reserves and National Guard are already stretched to the breaking point and our leadership doesn't have the guts to transfer our troops out of Japan, Germany, Korea, the Balkans, etc.