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."

[SandRat]

Here's hopes and prayers that the investigation will exonerate the Marines and then National Retribution is levied upon Murtha and all the rest that have besmirched our Marines.

[Brilliant]

"No good can come of speculation surrounding a Nov. 19 incident in Haditha, Iraq..."


Which is probably why Rep. Murtha is flying around the country crowing about war crimes to anyone who will listen. He means no good.

[PogySailor]

Here is the IED crater in Haditha that killed Lance Corporal Miguel Terrazas on 11/19/2005. It could have been my son, but he happened to be with another company that week. He took this picture on patrol 11/27/2005.

[jazusamo]

Pace said he doesn't suspect anything, but rather is waiting for the investigation to yield the facts.

Unlike lowlife Jack Murtha, General Pace not only is giving our military the presumption of innocence, but understands the basic principle of American law.

May God bless all our military on this Memorial Day.

[SandRat]

I'd like to draw his Marine Saber from it's scabbard as Mush-Mouth Murtha stood at attention, snap the blade across my knee, hold the two pieces in my left hand spit on them and toss both pieces away. That's the insult I'd like to give Mush-Mouth Murtha.

[PogySailor]

Oh by the way. None of the Marines involved knew there was anything being investigated until several days before they were to go home. Several had already received Purple Hearts for injuries received in the firefight.

[SandRat]

May you continue to be so blessed.

[jazusamo]

Ping for General Pace.

Support Diana Irey for Congress

http://www.irey.com/

[TomasUSMC]

We should make sure no one in Haditha ever dies again. Remove all the inhabitants then Level Haditha ........and Ramadi for good measure.

[SandRat]

Make a repeat on Monte-Casino of it you say????

[Coop]

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.

How about that?

[Coop]

Don't listen to ol' "Nuke Mecca" Tommy.

[Coop]

It's a shame we can't find a few politicians, besides Ms. Irey, to make similar statements.

[Coop]

God bless your son for his service, and your family for your sacrifices. Thank you for the details on this tragedy.

[ktvaughn]

His opinion, Coop, and he is entitled to it. For the record, I HAVE NOT speculated anything-only reported accounts as I have read them for discussion. This is my last reply to you--you certainly have a bee in your bonnet WRT my comments. Here's an idea, don't read them.

[Txsleuth]

Thanks for the picture...and thank you son for his service to our country..

I will pray that he comes home safe to you, soon.

Yours is the first post that I have seen about this that says that the Marines supposedly involved in this didn't even KNOW about it until much later???

A lot of this is not making sense...if you are going to believe Murtha, that is.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

Gen. PETER PACE is THE Greatest.


Transcript: Gen. PETER PACE on *Fox News Sunday*

http://www.Freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1546978/posts

.

[Txsleuth]

John McCain on CNN right now...says this story is "apparently true"...and that he and Sen. Warner are going to hold hearings about it.

Please tell me how these hot-shots can hold hearings before we even know what happened??

[Marine_Uncle]

""because regardless of where this investigation goes, we want to ensure that our troops understand what's expected of them in combat."
Oh. They know fully well what is expected of them. If they didn't, there would be a few hundred thousand Iraqi killed at this point. Need I say more.
Besides. As some of us know. Literally thousands of Iraqi insurgents in the past where allowed to escape, as they mixed with innocent men, women, and children. General Pace and others at every available press conference should shove the facts up the rear ends of the mostly mindless reporters on the facts.