IRAQ WAR: Civilian casualties

Mike Sullivan exonerated the Marines who shot at a car which failed to stop. John Heelan says: "I agree with Mike. If a vehicle is approaching an obvious military checkpoint manned by heavily armed soldiers, it would be remarkably stupid for it not to slow down or stop if ordered. We all seem to be to do this to avoid police speed-traps. Even more so given the heightened sensitivity of the soldiers following the recent suicide bombing at a checkpoint. Such tragedies are regrettable but understandable. The Northern Ireland conflict saw several innocent civilians killed in similar incidents when a vehicle acted suspiciously, in the eyes of the soldiers manning the checkpoint. Some incidents resulted in attempted Army cover-ups and eventual court cases. I believe the British Army learnt to set up staggered checkpoints, with an armed soldier in a protected position 50-100 yards ahead of the main checkpoint to signal the vehicle giving it enough time to stop at the main checkpoint. It would be interesting to know if the Marines had set up a similar system at the checkpoint in question".

Ronald Hilton - 4/3/03