this is a sad commentqary on the stae of the U.S. military and their feeling of invulnerabilty when it comes to actions not in keeping with the standards of combat contact. Instead of simple honesty we are faced with yet another coverup. The car sverved toward their position and they overreacted and once again the innocent are the victims. I served during Vietnam and nothing changes. I wish I could believe the story associated with this tragedy but I think I know better...and so do most of us. D. Walker Merced Ca
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Baghdad Burning
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Iraqis say the women were Maha Adnan Younis and Surur Shahid Ahmed, both in their 30s. The Iraqi police called the shooting "unjustifiable" and challenged the U.S. investigators to disclose the photos or show spent casings from any enemy rounds fired at the soldiers. Mohammed Abood said his father's car appeared to have burned but did not appear damaged as it might after an accident or explosion.
Such shootings have happened often during the five years of war, in which troops at risk of car bombs or gunfire have to operate in proximity to civilians. But this case—especially hard to explain because of the location and the nature of the victims—comes as Iraqis and Americans are hashing out the rules troops will operate under in the future and, possibly, how long they will stay in Iraq. The self-imposed deadline for a so-called "Status of Forces Agreement" is July 31, but Iraqi officials are increasingly saying it may be finished late or not at all. In interviews last week, several said the airport shooting raised the political heat against the American presence. A parliamentary committee discussed the case and Maliki was briefing top officials about it.
Like many Shiite Muslims, Hafd Abood was overjoyed when the 2003 American invasion toppled Saddam Hussein, according to another son, Zeaad Abood, 27, who followed his father's advice about education to become a biologist. "Whenever people spoke against the Americans, he would defend them," remembers Zeaad. Whatever happened on the airport access road that morning, Iraqis now find that defense a lot harder to make.
With Yassar Ghani, Salih Mehdi and Hassan Al-Jarrah in Baghdad
© 2008
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