Accountability???
The US are just not accountable for anything are they!!
Italy agent death was 'accident' The US military has confirmed that it will not discipline soldiers who shot dead an Italian agent in Iraq as he escorted a freed hostage to safety.
Who will police them!!
Edit:
Part 1.
You are probably aware of the famous "censored" PDF format report that was released by the US regards the killing of the Italian agent in Iraq during a rescue mission.
You can get more information about it here and also download the actual censored PDF and see for yourself how easy it is to view the censored content.
I have to say that after reading the uncensored version I mostly take back what I said above about the US being accountable.
My brief summary and interpretation of the document is as follows:
1. The majority of accountablility was the Italian driver who did not slow down. He was driving far too fast, with many distractions and did not realise he was arriving at a US blocking point. He passed the "warning line" still at high speed.
2. The minority of the accountablility rests with the US military for the following reasons:
a. less than adequate signs.
b. less than adequate procedures.
c. less than adequate communication.
d. longer than necessary blocking position was required to be maintained for this particular incident.
e. lack of education of locals and foreigners as to US military procedures within Iraq.
f. less than adequate vehicle slow down devices at blocking points.
3. Also the minority of accountablility rests with the lack of co-ordination between Italian and US officials and US military.
4. The censored areas of the document were there to protect US military personnel, procedures and local knowledge. It did not hide any critical information pertaining to responsibility or accountablility.
It was a sad, tragic event that should never have happened.
You still must wonder though - how the hell could they release such a leaky "censored" document?
Part 2.
Then there is the Italians version and I don't think we will get a convenient "censored" PDF with "copy and paste" capabilities.
According to them the reponsibility lies with the inexperience of the US military.
Here's a partial quote one article of the net that can be found here
An Italian report released on Monday blamed the killing of Nicola Calipari, while he was escorting a freed Italian hostage, on the "inexperience" of US troops acting under stress and without proper rules of engagement.
Also looks like Italy's big boy does not want to upset the yanks!! The same article as above in Part 2.
So, conclusion at this stage.
If you look at any argument between 2 parties then there is there is always 2 conflicting stories and the truth somewhere within.
I don't normally go with the US but this time I lean their way and think the major reponsibility lies with a speeding Italian driver with numerous distractions aided somewhat by US troops without adequate training, procedures, etc.
