Reuters Cameraman in Haditha-No Mention of Massacre

ABC News Online Australia ^ | November 20, 2005 | Reuters

[SBD1]

US Department of Defense Information October 27, 2005 SECTION: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE U.S. MARINE CORPS NEWS LENGTH: 592 words
HEADLINE: Civil affairs impacts Haditha
BYLINE: Cpl. Adam C. Schnell

TEXT: HADITHA, Iraq (Oct. 28, 2005) ---- Seven members of 6th Civil Affairs Group, Detachment 3, Team 5 spend each day here helping rebuild a war--torn city so people can live normal lives again. As the Marines of 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment continue to clear the city of roadside bombs and any remaining insurgent operations, the Marines and interpreter of civil affairs talk with citizens and work on projects to restore their city. Detachment 3, which is comprised of more than 30 Marines, works throughout the Al Anbar Province helping the Iraqi local governments legitimize themselves and also assist the Iraqi people with civil--military operations. These operations include working with local engineers and contractors to repair the city's infrastructure.

Currently, the members of Team 5 are working with residents in the former insurgent--controlled city repairing water pipes, a hospital and creating employment for the people. With the upcoming elections, the team is also on hand to assist the Iraqi people with security needs during the elections if requested.
"We are supposed to be completely hands off, but available if they want help organizing or providing security for it," said Sgt. Michael T. Lamoureux, a Santa Ana, Calif. native and civil affairs team noncommissioned officer for the detachment. Lamoureux added that after the insurgency in Haditha scared off local tribal, religious and political leaders months ago, the team is attempting to find and bring back the leaders, letting them know that Marines are working in the city.
"We talk with local leaders to find out their needs and concerns," said Lamoureux. "They are really the voice of the people."
Meeting with the leaders and talking with other people in the city also brought up other concerns that the team is trying to address. One such concern is just being able to go to work each day, something that most people around the world take for granted.
"The dam manager let us know his workers couldn't get to work some days, so we arranged buses to bring them to the dam," said Sgt. Ronald R. Roberson Jr., a Greensboro, N.C., native and the team's chief. "We are also helping the dam workers get parts for the dam so they can keep things operating there."
Before arriving to Iraq to provide civil affairs support, the team went through months of training to learn about the religion, culture, history and language of Iraq. The Marines were also put through training that dealt with certain situations they would encounter while in Iraq. Even with extensive training, being able to assist the people here can be a problem due to the language barrier. Alleviating this problem is the team's interpreter, Sam Nseir, who acts as the voice of the team.
"Having an interpreter is a huge asset, without Sam we wouldn't be able to do any of this," commented Roberson. "The people really like him and he lets us know how people feel about us being here."
According to Nseir, most people in the communities here are happy to see the Marines in the city and the insurgents gone. As each day passes, the people become more used to the Marines patrolling the streets and feel they can go on with their daily lives.
"They are still a little uneasy about us," commented Roberson. "So each time we go out, we bring soccer balls, toys and candy to give to the children." Roberson continued, "Spending time talking with the kids is also the most rewarding part of the job out here."
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division Story Identification #: 20051027234723 LOAD--DATE: October 28, 2005

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[concretebob]

Things that make ya go HMMMMM

BUMP

[concretebob]

They were getting things back to normal, and the insurgents couldn't stand it.
Another great find, SBD1.

Simply OUTSTANDING!!!!

SEMPER FI

[freema]

SBD, {{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[freema]

SBD, {{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[PleaDeal]

It is tough enough fighting a war with one hand tied around your back.

And blindfolded and gagged to boot! The news on this thread gives me great hope that the story will indeed blow up in the smug MSM talking-head faces.

[Marine_Uncle]

Continued good relations with the Iraqi people change their hearts. A lot of Freepers may have forgotten those few articles early this year, about the time the so called civil war was supposed to have started, where Iraqi where seeking out US military patrols for their safety, in a few neighborhoods in Baghdad. We saw pictures to that effect.
In short, they knew our guys are honorable and don't do what some goons claim, but quite the opposite. We help them.

[freema]

True. You are so good for me. {{{{{{{{{{{{hugs to you too}}}}}}}}}}}

[Marine_Uncle]

Don't sqeeze the ribs to hard. Been a bit sore of lately. Heheh.

[freema]

'bout like my lil' brain... and heart.

[Marine_Uncle]

"'bout like my lil' brain... and heart."
Hang in there mom. I had to toss about 200lbs of useless grass sod into piles as I sorted the stuff out. Some dope ordered entirely to much sod, the stuff was simmering under the sun and alternate rain outside the HD garden center for a few weeks. People want to buy the stuff. I had to spend a lot of time trying to find some pieces that where barely acceptable for a few customers. Between that and hoofing around heavy barrels of trash barrels, loading bags of rocks and soil etc., into customer carts, got this old body a bit sore of late.
Once my first pay check clears, I am going to head for the beer store, to pick up a medical prescription.

[Ciexyz]

The massacre story still has legs, at least acc. to my two local newspapers. Damn, this is so unfair to our service people. I'm fogging out on ALL news reports lately.

[DocRock]

BTTT and bookmarked

[SBD1]

US Department of Defense Information
October 27, 2005
SECTION: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE U.S. MARINE CORPS NEWS
LENGTH: 493 words
HEADLINE: Iraqi commander visits Marines and Iraqi soldiers in Haditha
BYLINE: Cpl. Adam C. Schnell

TEXT: HADITHA, Iraq (Oct. 28, 2005) US Department of Defense Information
October 27, 2005
SECTION: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE U.S. MARINE CORPS NEWS
LENGTH: 493 words
HEADLINE: Iraqi commander visits Marines and Iraqi soldiers in Haditha

BYLINE: Cpl. Adam C. Schnell

TEXT: HADITHA, Iraq (Oct. 28, 2005) ---- The commander of Iraqi ground forces met with the Iraqi troops and leaders of 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, here Oct. 12 to discuss joint successes during Operation River Gate. Lieutenant General Abdul Qader, the commander of all Iraqi infantry forces, stepped off a helicopter in the city of Haditha with a mission to talk with leaders and spend time with troops in the area. After arriving, he met with Lt. Col. Jeffrey R. Chessani, commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, and other Marine leaders to talk about the recent operation and other issues within the city. Qader's biggest concern was how the people dealt with having the Marines inside the city.

"Even though the city isn't back to normal yet, the Marines always tell them they can come out of their homes and live normal lives," commented Chessani, a Meeker, Colo., native.

The Iraqi commander then learned of the many successes the Iraqi soldiers had had while working with Marines during the recent operation. The commander was briefed on their success in everything from finding weapons caches to detaining suspected insurgent operatives.

"He told us we were doing a great job capturing bad guys and weapons in Haditha," said Lt. Col. Mahdi, a company commander of Iraqi troops in the area. "It was also nice to see him and it showed the troops he cares about them."

Being successful in places like Haditha is not a new thing for many of the Iraqi soldiers stationed here. Most of them fought alongside the Marines of 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines in Fallujah.

"My troops have been all over the country working with Marines," commented Mahdi. "In places like Fallujah, Najaf, and Abu Ghrayb."

While in the area, Chessani and other Marines escorted the Iraqi general to areas in the city where Iraqi troops were stationed alongside Marines. As he visited one company of Iraqi infantrymen, his troops conducted a welcome dance.

"He was coming from South Iraq, so it is tradition that the troops welcome him with singing and dancing," said Mahdi. "It is a traditional song that excites the troops and lets the general know that we are here and ready to fight."

After taking time with troops, the Iraqi commander sat down with leaders of both the Marines and Iraqi troops in Haditha. The meeting consisted of the planning and coordination for the future of the Iraqi troops.

"I let him know the troops here are strong but needed supplies like food, parts for the vehicles and other equipment," commented Mahdi.

Before he left, the troops were given advice by their commander for the upcoming days as they occupy the former insurgency--controlled city.

"He told us to be careful and not trust the streets as they become busier," commented Mahdi. "He also told us that the people here are good people and that we should help them anyway we can."

Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division Story Identification #: 20051027235024


---- The commander of Iraqi ground forces met with the Iraqi troops and leaders of 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, here Oct. 12 to discuss joint successes during Operation River Gate. Lieutenant General Abdul Qader, the commander of all Iraqi infantry forces, stepped off a helicopter in the city of Haditha with a mission to talk with leaders and spend time with troops in the area. After arriving, he met with Lt. Col. Jeffrey R. Chessani, commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, and other Marine leaders to talk about the recent operation and other issues within the city. Qader's biggest concern was how the people dealt with having the Marines inside the city.

"Even though the city isn't back to normal yet, the Marines always tell them they can come out of their homes and live normal lives," commented Chessani, a Meeker, Colo., native.

The Iraqi commander then learned of the many successes the Iraqi soldiers had had while working with Marines during the recent operation. The commander was briefed on their success in everything from finding weapons caches to detaining suspected insurgent operatives.

"He told us we were doing a great job capturing bad guys and weapons in Haditha," said Lt. Col. Mahdi, a company commander of Iraqi troops in the area. "It was also nice to see him and it showed the troops he cares about them."

Being successful in places like Haditha is not a new thing for many of the Iraqi soldiers stationed here. Most of them fought alongside the Marines of 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines in Fallujah.

"My troops have been all over the country working with Marines," commented Mahdi. "In places like Fallujah, Najaf, and Abu Ghrayb."

While in the area, Chessani and other Marines escorted the Iraqi general to areas in the city where Iraqi troops were stationed alongside Marines. As he visited one company of Iraqi infantrymen, his troops conducted a welcome dance.

"He was coming from South Iraq, so it is tradition that the troops welcome him with singing and dancing," said Mahdi. "It is a traditional song that excites the troops and lets the general know that we are here and ready to fight."

After taking time with troops, the Iraqi commander sat down with leaders of both the Marines and Iraqi troops in Haditha. The meeting consisted of the planning and coordination for the future of the Iraqi troops.

"I let him know the troops here are strong but needed supplies like food, parts for the vehicles and other equipment," commented Mahdi.

Before he left, the troops were given advice by their commander for the upcoming days as they occupy the former insurgency--controlled city.

"He told us to be careful and not trust the streets as they become busier," commented Mahdi. "He also told us that the people here are good people and that we should help them anyway we can."

Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division Story Identification #: 20051027235024

SBD

[WOSG]

Good find on Haditha.
In other cases of possible civilian casualties, the reactions have been immediate (eg the stories of a wedding getting hi by an air strike). The lag time and the sourcing definitely calls the story into question.

[kellynla]

BTTT

[Enchante]

"A cameraman working for Reuters in Haditha says bodies had been left lying in the street for hours after the attack."

Great find!!! There is NO possibility that al-Rooters would have let photographic or witness evidence of a 'massacre' of innocent civilians slide out of sight for 8 months, so if their photographer had ANYTHING that weighs against the US Marines we would surely know about it by now. Instead, it sounds like the photographer must have evidence that SUPPORTS at least some key parts of the Marine accounts (not that we know ANY facts, only what the Murtha-lying-MSM has told us). Why is al-Reuters barraging us with photos of the "bodies lying in the streets" from that day??? Because such photos would indicate a major shootout/crossfire and not merely some dastardly slaughter in "cold blood" (the words of al-Murtha) inside houses.

[Enchante]

"Why is al-Reuters barraging us with photos of the "bodies lying in the streets" from that day???"

Ooops, that should read "Why isn't al-Reuters barraging us with photos of the "bodies lying in the streets" from that day???" Nothing like saying the opposite of what you mean to say.........

[bigjoesaddle]

Good 1.

[Shelayne]

Excellent find!

Have I mentioned today how much I loathe the media?