Posted on 06/21/2006 3:47:38 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
AUSTRALIAN soldiers were involved in the shooting of a personal guard of the Iraqi trade minister in Baghdad, the Australian Defence Force said.
Iraqi Trade Minister Abdel Falah al-Sudani lashed out after Australian soldiers shot dead one of his guards and wounded others as an Australian trade delegation left his offices overnight.
The Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, today confirmed members of Defence's security detachment had been involved in the shooting.
"The security detachment was conducting routine security duties when this incident occurred," a statement from defence said.
Lt Gen Gillespie has expressed deep regret over the incident.
"The ADF deeply regrets the injuries and loss of life that has occurred," the statement said.
The ADF said it would be launching an investigation into the shooting.
I wonder if the Iraqi bodyguards were wearing their ski masks and had their weapons drawn...
Can't blame them if they were given the environment in which they live and nature of the constant threat to their principal, but if so - then the Aussie guards likely reacted with deadly force with equal justification.
Keep us informed. Hope your guys come through any investigation unscathed.
According to reports I have seen, they were in plain clothes, and carrying AK-47s and drove up suddenly behind the Australian guards and their principles.
At least the Australian military and President aren't calling their guys murderers, like they are doing in the U.S. every time an Iraqi alleges that our troops committed 'war crimes'.
The way they're making our brave warriors fight this war is totally insane; maybe it shouldn't even be called a 'war'. Since our men aren't allowed to fight back until they are absolutely certain the people shooting at them are terrorists, or they aren't hiding behind civilians, maybe we should just call it an islamic shooting gallery.
"Don't make threatening movements and/or ignore commands or you could get shot..." You would think they understand that by now.
According to reports I have seen, they were in plain clothes, and carrying AK-47s and drove up suddenly behind the Australian guards and their principles.
Note: Don't do that anymore.
If that statement is true, they earned the Iraqi Darwin award for sure.
Agreed. I am thoroughly disgusted with what is going on here in the US. If there are serious abuses, they should be prosecuted. But all of these supposed cases range from flat out lies and manipulation to totally unprovable.
It's not like we tortured, skinned and beheaded people, as the Muzzies have done. Maybe somebody got in the way of fire, but that's the breaks, they should have evacuated. Instead now our guys are in the brig.
Ya mean like your local SWAT team?
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