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Thu 18 May, 2006 12:39 am
Quote:Lawmaker: Marines killed Iraqis 'in cold blood'
Navy conducting war crimes probe into November violence in Haditha
By Jim Miklaszewski and Mike Viqueira
NBC News
Updated: 9:27 p.m. ET May 17, 2006
WASHINGTON - A Pentagon probe into the death of Iraqi civilians last November in the Iraqi city of Haditha will show that U.S. Marines "killed innocent civilians in cold blood," a U.S. lawmaker said Wednesday.
From the beginning, Iraqis in the town of Haditha said U.S. Marines deliberately killed 15 unarmed Iraqi civilians, including seven women and three children.
One young Iraqi girl said the Marines killed six members of her family, including her parents. "The Americans came into the room where my father was praying," she said, "and shot him."
On Wednesday, Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., said the accounts are true.
Military officials told NBC News that the Marine Corps' own evidence appears to show Murtha is right.
. . . .
Military officials say Marine Corp photos taken immediately after the incident show many of the victims were shot at close range, in the head and chest, execution-style. One photo shows a mother and young child bent over on the floor as if in prayer, shot dead, said the officials, who spoke to NBC News on condition of anonymity because the investigation hasn't been completed.
One military official says it appears the civilians were deliberately killed by the Marines, who were outraged at the death of their fellow Marine.
"This one is ugly," one official told NBC News.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12838343
This is very disappointing. Maybe its time we pulled out and left the Iraqis alone.
The Pentagon is sending people who were not meant to be as they signed up as soldiers for justice and peace. The operation in Iraq is just plain theft of Iraqi oil. The three stooges Rumsfeld, Cheney and Bush do not inspire the soldiers as cowards do not lead.