Marines Release Little on Attacks in Iraq

[Barrett808]

Marines Release Little on Attacks in Iraq
By ROBERT BURNS, AP Military Writer

WASHINGTON - Citing a need to protect the troops, the Marine Corps operating in Fallujah and elsewhere in the volatile Sunni Triangle of central Iraq is restricting the information it releases about insurgent attacks that kill Marines.

On Friday, for example, a statement from the Marines' base camp outside Fallujah said a Marine had been killed the day before "as a result of enemy action" in Anbar province. In a break from the practice of other U.S. forces in Iraq, the Marines gave no details.

The Army and the Pentagon, in their news releases announcing service members' deaths in Iraq, typically offer a brief characterization of the hostile action, such as mortar fire, roadside bomb or other type of attack. They usually cite the town where it happened; the Marines do not.

"Force protection measures preclude the release of any information that could aid enemy personnel in assessing the effectiveness or lack thereof with regard to their tactics, techniques and procedures," the Marine statement from the Fallujah base camp said. "The release of more details about the incident could place our Marines and sailors at greater risk."

(more)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040402/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_us_military&cid=540&ncid=1480

[Columbia]

1. If it means saving the lives of sailors and Marines

Then good.

[leftchick]

2. uh, yeah....

right... :eyes:

[wuushew]

3. How can sailors be at risk in Fallujah?

I wasn't aware it was a major blue water port

[BrotherBuzz]

5. Back in my days Navy Corpsmen (medics)

treated marines.

[izzie]

6. Corpmen in the marines were navy , Even Navy rates

That was a while ago but I am thinking it is the same.

[diamond14]

10. my cousin was KILLED in Vietnam, HM3 Navy medic, silver star

purple heart, 19 years old DEAD....he was attached to a group of marines, and was saving lives on the battlefield at the time of his KILLING....while bush* drank/drugged his way through ANG in Texas....


just before the Iraq WAR started, rumsfield called my cousinl, and ALL DRAFTEES "useless" and "of no value"....

thanks to symbolman for this flash video, with rumsfield exact insults to OUR troops...these insults from such a high level should have alerted all Americans BEFORE the war, that OUR troops were doomed...
http://www.takebackthemedia.com/pentagoon.html

[BrotherBuzz]

12. I feel your anger

and I have my share as well because I was one of those dumb draftees that added "no value, no advantage, really, to the United States Armed Services..." - Rumsfeld, Jan 08, 2003

[daleo]

4. It's just as likely to cause deaths as prevent them

"War is too important to be left to the generals". Civilian oversight is always necessary, especially in a democracy. This includes a vigorous, free press.

When people with the power of life and death starting hiding the facts from the public, it is not a good thing.

[izzie]

7. Like these Private armies with no oversight from congress.

Congress will wake up and lets hope it will not be to late.Your tax money are paying for them. They are just running the money through corp. but it is DOD tax payers money.All run by ex-Gen.Sort of a take over right? Anyone know how Kerry feels about this?

[mbperrin]

8. At greater risk for what?

The Marines know what's happening. The residents of Fallujah know what's happening. The brass knows what's happening.

The only ones who don't know? Me and you!

They will be at greater risk of withdrawal as soon as most Americans see the flowers they're throwing there, all right!

[The_Casual_Observer]

9. Meanwhile, 4000 Marines are on station a few miles from there

Doing nothing but occupying space, just in case there is a general uprising.

[Amerpie]

11. Public Affairs Fearful

I imagine that the Marines, newly arrived in the area are still trying to figure out a great many things, including how to deal with the press. In the grand tradition of oppressive regimes everywhere, they'll be as secretive as possible until they figure out how pointless it is. Remember, Colin Powell rose to national attention as the press officer who presided over the attempted coverup of the My Lai massacre.

[newyawker99]

13. Hi Amerpie!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: