Posted on 03/04/2005 3:54:17 PM PST by Ramonan
ROME — A U.S. armored vehicle in Iraq fired on a car carrying a freed Italian hostage on Friday, wounding her and killing an Italian intelligence officer, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said. A spokesman for U.S.-led coalition forces in Baghdad confirmed the shooting, which wounded freed journalist Giuliana Sgrena, and said the car had approached a checkpoint “at a high rate of speed.”
In Baghdad, the military said the car had been traveling fast when it approached the checkpoint.
“At approximately 8:55 p.m. (1755GMT) tonight, coalition forces assigned to the multinational force Iraq fired on a vehicle that was approaching a coalition checkpoint in Baghdad at a high rate of speed,” it said. “The recently freed Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena was an occupant in the vehicle and was apparently injured.”
(Excerpt) Read more at marinecorpstimes.com ...
Italy's been a good ally through the whole Iraq thingy. Even if we didn't screw up and it's a rightious shooting, it still sucks.
Agree with you.
My point is that the soldier on guard didn't have much of an option.
It's horrible that this happened, but why didn't someone make sure the Italian SF guy had a radio with US frequency?
This seems to have been a justified shooting. It is also my understanding that our troops were aiming at the car engine block. That's amazing! We're now asking our troops to aim, at night, at a moving target, at specific spots. What are we going to require next, that they walk on water and jump tall buildings in a single bound? I never would have made it in this war. I have more respect and regard for our guys everytime I hear stuff like this.
Well, then we must make good.
It might've been a good idea to coordinate with the soldiers at the checkpoint, via radio or even cellphone. However, as these things are reported, commonsense planning doesn't seem to even be considered. It's all about the bloodthirsty Americans killing more innocents. We don't even know if the hostage-takers had called ahead with a 'tip' that a suicide bomber was on its way. Bottomline: another freaking 'journalist' ending up getting people killed. Just wait until she gets out of the hospital and back to Italy. We'll hear all about how great and courteous the hostage-takers were as compared to the evil and murderous Americans. If this was a set-up from a 'trusted' local intelligence source, then they got some free publicity and very nearly got the Americans to do their dirty work for them. I only wish SOMEBODY would break this story down and find out why communications and coordination broke down between the Italian negotiators and the U. S. Troops. Again, my guess is because the Americans didn't know a damned thing about it.
Well done job by the US military. They were on their toes and performed as they should.
Can you believe the link text on Fox News's web site to a video segment of this story?
It says :
Reporter Attacked
Whoever is responsible for Fox's web site is a total moron.
"Gee! Let's see? It was dark--a car is barreling down on you--there have been how many suicide bomb carrying cars in the past three weeks? Choice? Do I wait, or do I act?"
Bad news, diplomatically and otherwise. Could be mistakes all around.
Fox reporting right now ... angry Italian Prime Minister ... Pres. Bush has been breifed ... expressed regret ... lady went to the hospital and had shrapnel removed from her arm.
Ok, I agree with you.
Any word on how much the Italians paid for her ransom?
Unfortunate all around. The Italian agent killed was very likely a fine man. It's especially sad that he should have had to give his life for the likes of her.
If the Italians didn't even bother to let the American commander know what they were doing and where, when and how they'd be traveling, then they have no complaint.
"Italy's been a good ally through the whole Iraq thingy. Even if we didn't screw up and it's a rightious shooting, it still sucks."
They have been good allies, and let's hope the Italian people have the maturity to direct their anger at the rat-bastards who kidnapped their journo and put everyone in this god-awful situation to begin with.
Nope.
Why is everyone blaming America. What about the dumb a** driver. He knows the rules. slow down when approaching American checkpoints are get fire upon.
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