Soldier Says He Was Ordered to Push Iraqi Civilians Into River

FORT CARSON, Colo. - [size=-1]One of four soldiers charged with pushing two Iraqi civilians into a river, where one of them drowned, says he was ordered to do so and told what to say to officials looking into the death, an Army investigator testified Wednesday. [/size]

Spc. Terry Bowman said he "was told by his chain of command what version to give" investigators, Sgt. Irene Cintron of the Army's Criminal Investigation Command said during a teleconference from Iraq (news - web sites) as the military convened a hearing to determine whether the soldiers will be court-martialed. Bowman said he had been ordered to push the men into the Tigris River, Cintron said.

It was not disclosed who gave the order. Three of the soldiers' commanders have received nonjudicial punishments for their roles in the incident. None of those punishments include jail time.

Very nice - and the commanders receive no jail time. How lovely. For the entire sick story: http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040728/ap_on_re_us/soldiers_charged_4

 

So what will you do about it? I don't think anyone is arguing the fact that the world has sick people in it, but why keep dragging the stuff out? Like for instance, what's the point of you having something you are so against as a signature pic? Makes no sense.

 

these soldiers that commit these atrosities should be tried for war crimes. bush too

 

I can't believe we had to gall of trying to get out of war crimes a month or two ago. . . I love the culture of our country, the people from everywhere who are loud and outspoken, etc. . . But I really, really can't take our government.

 

There's plenty of room in Africa.

 

Actualy, if they were ordered to, then it should be their commanders charged, not the soldiers. As far as Bush needing to be charged, come off it. He hasn't done anything wrong and you have no proof to say otherwise.

 

Way to contradict your logic with the call to bring people to justice based upon chain of command. At the very least Rumsfeld should be in prison over this situation. There is proof of him approving torture that is against the Geneva Convention. He signed off on it - this isn't conspiracy, this is fact. Maybe not pushing these Iraqis into the river, but he signed off on other torture. Now, thus far there is no proof that ole' Georgie approved of Rumsfelds methods, but it isn't outside the rhealm of possibility.

All I know is that I have seen enough to believe that Rumsfeld should be tried internationally for war crimes. I hope he acted without the Presidents knowledge, but if he did not and George was in on the atrocities as well - then he should be tried too.

 

Dhs, when you get a command from a higher officer, you do it. There is'nt no "mmm... is this reasonable and humane?" bullshit, you have to do it. I don't think these soldiers should be held responsable, it was'nt their choice.

 

read my post - I was arguing for the highest known chain of command to be brought to justice - not the troops. I was talking about the fact that there is proof of Rumsfeld ordering war crimes, yet he's a free man and these troops are the ones who are paying.

 

Yeah ah, I really have no idea why I posted that. So yeah, I agree.

 

What contradictions did I make? Perhaps you misunderstood something I was trying to get across. Please show me my contradiction and explain how you see it as so.

 

No, you don't have to do it. Being ordered to commit a crime is not a defence.

 

Real American...What is the point of her showing that in her sig pic you ask?

It is plain and simple. It shows an American treatng an Iraqi as dog shit. Is is reminder to all the A.D.D Americans like you who are narrowminded and forget that we are NOT DOING WHAT IS RIGHT. Sadly most Americans have forgotten those atrocities, and still believe we are the good guys.

Im glad that she is bringing this information out in the open. Instead of defending a President who has lied compulsively, and is doing major damage to the planet. Stop defending BUSH, he doesnt care a bit about YOU. I think you are an obessed redneck, who is too arrogant to seek out other information besides your PREEEECIOUS NBC.


On a Side Note:
Just got done watching a report on Al Jazeera. A bunch of Iraqi men were killed because they were waiting in line hoping to get jobs working for the US in Iraq. They were told to leave, and it did not work. So they blew them up.

 

This is Horseshit,a Soldier is only obliged to follow order's aslong as they are not unethical, Surely this soldier knew that pushing men into a river was a little off no?...Soldier's and anoyne involved with the decision should be held accountable.

 

Yes - to clarify - soldiers are NOT required to follow orders that violate international law. In fact, it is ILLEGAL for soldiers to follow orders that violate the 'rules of war,' and soldiers are educated on those standards of behavior, so "I was just following orders" is no more an excuse now than it was when Nazi soldiers tried to use it after WWII.

 

I was just going to say exactly what Willow did! (Thanks Willow )

One is, except under extreme duress, always responsible for their actions. War is no excuse for harming people with "A good excuse." The Nazis tried that, they got tried in international court, found guilty of war crimes and sentenced. Even some of the rank and file, whose excuse was "I was only following orders."

 

As far as I see it, the convictions should follow the chain of command to the highest order.

 

Yeah too bad the majority of soldiers would follow any order anyway....

Peace and Love,
Dan