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So here we learn that the U.S. pays up to $2500 to the family of Iraqi civvies killed in a military action.

This is a fortune to most of them.

Throws a whole new light on this case, doesn't it? Purchased testimony can and likely will be half-truths, quarter-truths or no truths at all.

These cases against our fighting men are evidence of the cultish Political Correctness and betrayal emanating from high D.C. politicians. It ends with the sacrificing of our trusting and loyal troops on the altar of these PC lusts.

Leni

Someone in a previous post suggested that maybe the U.S. was bending over backward to prove that we don’t have to belong to the United Nations International Criminal Court, to conduct a war according to the law (which the “insurgents” don’t bother with, but who’s prosecuting them?) and so they are creating cases that don’t have any validity to prove that point. If that is so, then who is behind all this?

From the Investigating Officer's report....

The Iraqi's first statements to NCIS were taken in a group setting, five months after the events occurred and with knowledge that other families in Haditha had received monetary componsation from the United States for events that occurred on 19 November, 2005. The interview that resulted in the witness statements were taken by Special Agent Mannle in a group setting, with each witness adding details and discussing the events in Arabic with one another in front of Special Agent Mannle who does not speak Arabic. Additionally, although $10,000 does not appear to be a large amount of money, testimony from Maj. Hiatt suggested that such a sum of money was equal to 4 times the average annual salary of a typical resident of Haditha. Prior to making these claims, no payments were made to the Ahmed family. The Ahmed familiy was represented by an attorney who represents other families who received compensation for Marines killing their family memmbers. Shortly after making these claims, the Ahmed family was paid $10,000 in Solatio payments.

(Hat tip to Girlene for this excerpt and Red Rover for making the full IO report available here.

So here we learn that the U.S. pays up to $2500 to the family of Iraqi civvies killed in a military action.

The true figure was $10,000. It sounds less significant, less a reason for insurgents to lie, if the reporter arbitrarily divides the total amount by the number of insurgents killed.

Sharratt IO Report

page 11

Purchased testimony can and likely will be half-truths, quarter-truths or no truths at all.

As smoothsailing pointed out in the excerpt from post #16, the families of the four men killed in the house were paid $10,000 shortly after they provided their statements to NCIS. A sum valued at 4 times an annual salary in Haditha. They had nothing to lose, here, except the money. Wonder if the military will be asking for that money back now that Sharratt's charges are recommended for dismissal?

Also from the IO report, the Ahmed family stated to Special Agent Mannle that they would rather forgive the Americans than allow the bodies to be exhumed and examined. Give me a break. I wonder why this wasn't part of the requirements for Solatia payments?

Exactly why has the government allowed this to happen to eight of our finest? If it allows it to happen to them, what will it allow to happen to American civilians? Think about it.

Uh, Mr. President, please exonerate and apologize in every way possible to the Haditha eight. File charges against Murtha and Co. for it’s unpardonable roll in this debacle. Raise the pay to all armed forces personnel. Remove political correctness and rules of engagement from the American vocabulary.