Tuesday, January 06, 2004

US SOLDIERS STRIPPED OF UNIFORM FOR MALTREATMENT OF IRAQI POWS

Just how many of those who beat and raped PFC Lynch do you suppose would have been similarly reprimanded by the former Iraqi government?
The U.S. Army has discharged three soldiers for beating and harassing Iraqi prisoners of war in southern Iraq, a U.S. military spokesman said yesterday...

Brig. Gen. Ennis Whitehead III, acting commander of the 143rd Transportation Command, found the soldiers - Master Sgt. Lisa Girman, 35, Staff Sgt. Scott McKenzie, 38, and Spc. Timothy Canjar, 21 - had maltreated prisoners at Camp Bucca, in southern Iraq, on May 12....

In Atlanta, Lt. Col. Gregory Julian, an Army spokesman, said Girman was found guilty of knocking a prisoner to the ground, repeatedly kicking him in the groin, abdomen and head and encouraging her subordinate soldiers to do the same. She received an "other-than-honorable conditions" discharge, Harris said.

McKenzie and Canjar held a prisoner's legs apart while others kicked him in the groin, Julian said. They also were convicted of making false sworn statements to army investigators. Both were demoted and received "general, under honorable conditions" discharges.

The soldiers said they acted in self-defense.


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