U.S. Marines returned fire during attack on protesters, says Marine major

[UpInArms]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/030804dninthaiti.2bec1.html

(free registration required - try www.bugmenot.com )

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Three U.S. Marines returned fire during Sunday's attack on protesters in the Haitian capital, a Marine major said. It was the first known armed action by U.S. forces sent to stabilize the country.

The Marines reacted when gunmen shot at thousands of unarmed demonstrators who were demanding that ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide be tried for alleged corruption and killings by his armed militants.

At least four demonstrators and a foreign journalist were killed in the attack, and 30 people were injured.

...more...

[renegade000]

1. wait...

it sounds like we were trying to protect the crowd...

but ended up killing five members of the group we were trying to protect, including a journalist...

:wtf:

[NV1962]

2. Not according to the Beeb...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3540937.stm

<...>

Witnesses criticised US-led troops for failing to prevent the violence. "The peacekeepers were nowhere near where the shooting was," an injured man told the Associated Press news agency. One man speaking over a truck loudspeaker told US marines: "People are dying every day in this country. You have to do something about it."

The 2,500 French and US peacekeepers - who have arrived in Haiti in recent days - had restored order in central Port-au-Prince but have avoided outlying slums where Mr Aristide has many supporters. Earlier, the pro-Aristide camp postponed a planned demonstration on Sunday, saying it had been offered no protection.

One supporter told AP: "The Americans are only there to protect those who helped oust Aristide."

<...>

[bemildred]

3. Who else thinks 2500 troops is not near enough? nt

[Rebellious Republican]

4. I agree, maybe shrub can arm the boy scouts, what else is left.

:hi: