Iraq War Grief Daily Witness (photo) Day 147

6 Comments

1. 

   RubDMC on October 19, 2005 at 9:07 am

   

   Not for mojo – but to leave a small mark after taking this moment.

   (Thanks to DianeL, borrowing from Caldonia for the candle image.)

2. 

   BrendaStewart on October 19, 2005 at 12:35 pm

   I lite the candle.  This is so very sad, to say the least.  My heart feels for any mother or family member who has lost a member in any conflict of any kind.  Hugs…

   BTW, thank you, again!

3. 

   DuctapeFatwa on October 19, 2005 at 2:15 pm

   Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday outlined a strategy of helping Iraqis clear out insurgents and build durable, national institutions as she sought to reassure jittery members of Congress about the path to peace in Iraq. Rice said the United States will follow a model that was successful in Afghanistan.
   nerdified link

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     Steven D on October 19, 2005 at 2:28 pm

     How fortuante for the Iraqis.

4. 

   Oui on October 19, 2005 at 5:00 pm

   .
   A Spanish journalist killed in US attack on Hotel Palestine in Baghdad, US Justice Department fails to cooperate in investigation. US don’t kill journalists, do they?

   Al Jazeera was bombed in Kabul – live BBC report from same studio – and shelled in Baghdad, Hotel Palestine.

   
   The channel says its guiding
principles are "diversity of view-
points and real-time news coverage"

   Spain seeks arrest of U.S. soldiers

   MADRID, Spain (CNN) Oct. 19, 2005 — A Spanish judge issued an international arrest warrant, charging three U.S. soldiers with murder in the death of a Spanish television cameraman in Baghdad. Jose Couso was killed as U.S. forces advanced to take control of the Iraqi capital in April 2003, a National Court spokeswoman said.

   The warrant names the three soldiers as Sgt. Thomas Gibson, commander of the tank that allegedly fired a projectile at the hotel where Couso was filming; Capt. Philip Wolford, Gibson’s superior; and Lt. Col. Philip D. Camp, the captain’s superior, CNN partner network CNN+ reported.

   The arrest warrant says the United States provided “no judicial cooperation” in the investigation of the cameraman’s death. Couso worked for Spain’s Telecinco national network.

   Couso was shooting images of war-torn Baghdad at the Hotel Palestine on April 8, 2003, at the time of the strike. The hotel — where many international journalists were based — was hit by a tank shell. Telecinco said Couso died during surgery afterward. Taras Protsyuk, a Ukranian cameraman for Reuters, also was killed.

   A Pentagon report said that the American troops had thought that an Iraqi scout was directing fire from the building and that they had not violated any rules of engagement during the incident.

   
   Reuters cameraman Taras
Portsyuk was rushed to hospital

   Report Al Jazeera – read more »»

   ▼ ▼ ▼ MY DIARY

   • 

     jimstaro on October 19, 2005 at 6:40 pm

     And the New Afgan Government Gonna Look Alot Like The Present U.S. Government, Apparently!!!
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     This was on this mornings NPR ‘Morning Edition’:
     [Afgan Report Following This One]
     Visit Site To Listen To Report:
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     Iraq
     Dangers for Journalists in Baghdad’s ‘Green Zone’
      by David Folkenflik

     Morning Edition, October 19, 2005 · If you were a reporter in Baghdad looking to cover the trial of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, you’d need to get into the secured militarized area called “the green zone.” That’s also where you’d find the new Iraqi parliament and briefings by American officials.

     But recently, getting into that Green Zone has been one of the more dangerous assignments facing the hundreds of journalists in the Iraqi capital.

     They drive up in armored cars along a boulevard of restaurants and cigarette stands. The journalists are supposed to stop somewhere, though it’s not been clear precisely where, short of the intersection that leads to Checkpoint Three — and then walk up to it.

     There are a lot of risks for journalists on that walk. They feel exposed to potential snipers or kidnappers. But it’s dangerous for the soldiers securing the checkpoint, too. A nearby police station was bombed several months ago. A suicide bomber detonated a charge at the intersection two weeks ago. These tensions have made the checkpoint more dangerous still.

     Journalists share this passage with Iraqi citizens heading to the Green Zone, where the government agencies are. Private contractors can enter elsewhere more quickly. But the reporters have to walk that stretch with their hands visible and empty, badges prominently displayed, and then enter a winding path of sandbags, concrete barriers and razor wire.

     Iraqi or U.S. soldiers frequently fire “warning shots” above the heads of anyone whom they perceive as a possible threat. ABC and CBS News crews were recently shot at, and a CBS car was hit. Bullets flew at NPR News Producer JJ Sutherland recently — and he found he had company when he wandered into a press conference.

     “The first words out of the spokesman for the embassy was, `Raise your hand if you were shot at today.’ And the consensus was, it is not a matter of if, it is a matter of when a journalist will be killed,” Sutherland said.

     The problems at Checkpoint Three have persisted for many months. But some journalists say it’s become more dangerous in recent weeks as the American military has given Iraqi forces more security responsibilities. Steve Butler, foreign editor of Knight-Ridder newspapers, says one of his reporters was recently confronted by Iraqi troops.

     “Two soldiers were pointing guns at the car,” Butler said. “One was saying stop, the other was saying go. It obviously created a very dangerous situation.”

     News organizations have asked military officers for clear-cut procedures to follow — and suggested they be allowed to enter the Green Zone the way private contractors do.

     “We are looking at ways to try to help alleviate the problems and the security concerns for the media,” said Lt. Col. Steve Boylan, the director of the military’s press center in the green zone. “They are in progress at this time. We can’t weaken our overall force protection level just to accommodate a select group of people.”

     In June, Human Rights Watch came up with proposed reforms after studying civilian deaths at American checkpoints in Iraq. An American military inquiry into the killing of an Italian agent made similar points back in April. Joel Campagna of the Committee to Protect Journalists says needed changes haven’t been made.

     “The failure to implement these very basic safeguards would indicate an indifference to the safety of all civilians, including members of the media,” Campagna said.

     Several journalists in Baghdad say they would follow almost any procedures mandated by the military. NPR producer JJ Sutherland said he’s been confused about where reporters can safely leave their cars when approaching the checkpoint.

     “I received an e-mail from a major who said, `Oh, here’s a safe spot to be dropped off.’ The day after, our correspondent, Anne Garrels, was dropped off at basically that point and warning shots were fired off at her head,” Sutherland said.

     Senator John Warner, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, recently pressed Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to look into the problem. And e-mails between American public affairs officers in Baghdad obtained by NPR suggest the military is seeking solutions. But a few hinted the real question was one of image.

     For instance, Captain Chris Watt wrote, “I suspect it’s only a matter of time before someone bags a reporter and gains unwanted public attention. As you all know, in the media, perception is reality — even if we’re right, we need to find a happy medium for all or find the magic words to answer the press when they ask publicly why we’re shooting at the media.”

     Captain Watt wrote that note to Lt. Col Boylan and Major Jennifer Snyder. Major Snyder spoke to NPR from Baghdad. She said the e-mails do not reflect any lack of concern for the safety of media professionals there.

     And early this morning, just a few hours after the interview with Major Snyder, and just a few short hours before this story was set to be broadcast, there was much activity in front of Checkpoint Three. Workers set up tall concrete barriers to protect a new dropoff point for journalists — and to shield their path better as they walked toward the checkpoint for the Green Zone.
     ***

     New Afganistan Government:
     Again Visit site to listen To Report:

     Middle East
     *Alleged War Criminals Among Possible Afghan Lawmakers

     
      by Rachel Martin

     Morning Edition, October 19, 2005 · Even though the winners of last month’s election in Afghanistan have not yet been released, many of the men who may end up sitting in the nation’s parliament have a reputation for violence and ignoring women’s rights.
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     Fighting Dems
     http://www.airamericaradio.com/fightingdems
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     I Will Add To Signature: ENTIRE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD RESIGN – NOW!!!!!

     James Starowicz
     VFP ‘Declaration Of Impeachment’
     Sign On and Pass Link To Others

     http://www.veteransforpeace.org/impeachment/impeachment.htm
     USN ’67-’71 GMG3 Vietnam In-Country’70-’71 COMNAVFORV
     Member: Veterans For Peace

     “We, having dutifully served our nation, do hereby
     affirm our greater responsibility to serve the cause
     of world peace by applying the concept of engaging
     conflict peacefully, without violence.”
     http://www.veteransforpeace.org/