Huh? Read the FIRST sentence again:
COLONEL Tim Collins has been cleared of war crimes in a preliminary report by the army’s special investigations branch.
"Cleared" is another word for "exonerated". And if you are aware of collusion between Col. Collins and "buddies" he has in the special investigations branch, please enlighten us.
If half of what was said about either one of these guys was true, they should both have been kicked out ~ with none of this stuff about being busted in rank, etc., etc. Nobody in the ranks wants them.
Nobody? Apparently there's at least one Marine Major disagrees with you:
Major Coerr in his statement: "This is an absolute travesty. It is obvious to everyone in theatre that it is a vendetta by a weak officer against a hero. I have worked with very few officers of the calibre of Col Collins. He blended tactical knowledge with an abiding concern for the people of Iraq and it was his concern for the children of Rumaila which caused him to confront Major Biastre."
It's in the nature of officers to ALWAYS kow tow to the guy of higher rank. That's why their testimony about each other probably should not be allowed in court.