The shaky relationship between occupier and occupied came to the fore in a confrontation Sunday morning in Fallujah, a restive town west of Baghdad that's seen a number of attacks on U.S. troops since the Americans shot and killed 20 protesters during a demonstration in April.
A shouting match broke out when an Iraqi civilian, Jamal Shalal Habib al-Mahemdi, accused a U.S. soldier of stealing $600 from his car.
The soldier tried to wave the man on, but, at the behest of bystanders, his superior officer, Sgt. James A. Phillips, searched his pockets and found the money. Phillips then returned the bills to al-Mahemdi, who waved them above his head and cursed the soldier.
It was not clear if the soldier, whose name was not immediately available, would be disciplined. Maj. Sean Gibson, a U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad, said he had not heard of the incident but was sure it would be investigated.
I think I can answer that question...if this turns out to be true that soldier will be severely disciplined.
This is contrary to the Army Values...and one incident like this can have massive repercussions among a populace whose hearts and minds it is important that we win over.
I'll try to find a follow up on this when it happens. Meanwhile, read the whole thing here
Monday, June 30, 2003
AS IF JUST TO PROVE WE HAVE STUPID ONES ON OUR SIDE TOO.
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