Britain: Court finds ITN journalist Terry Lloyd murdered by US forces

[IndianaGreen]

Britain: Court finds ITN journalist Terry Lloyd murdered by US forces

By Liz Smith
16 October 2006

On March 22, 2003, Lloyd’s team traveled to Basra to interview civilians on how they felt about the war. The crew was caught up in a firefight between US and Iraqi forces near the Shatt Al Basra Bridge. Lloyd and Osman were killed and Nerac is still missing, presumed dead.

Demoustier, who survived the incident, told the inquest that the team had been driving towards the bridge in “civilian traffic when they saw Iraqi troops coming towards them and turned round.” He said the second convoy vehicle, which Lloyd and Osman were in, was stopped by an Iraqi military vehicle. He then saw an Iraqi military vehicle halt beside him and the soldiers inside then give him a “thumbs-up sign.”

Demoustier explained: “At that same time gunfire started. It came from a distance. Immediately I ducked down under the steering wheel. Then hell broke loose completely. The machine gun’s fire was directly targeting my car. I was absolutely sure I was going to die, I was a hundred percent sure. I stuck my head to the right and I saw my passenger door was open and Terry was not in the car.”

Demoustier told the court that he looked up and saw the car roof was on fire—petrol cans the team had been carrying with them had ignited. Demoustier then hurled himself out just before the car exploded. He described how he lay in the sand and mud for up to 30 minutes before attempting to stand.

He looked behind him to search for his colleagues and saw the second ITN vehicle parked up with the doors open. Their vehicles, which were clearly marked as “Press,” were hit by US tanks:

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2006/oct2006/lloy-o16.shtml

[stillcool]

1. that's quite an article..

what a mess.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

2. So, We Made A Mistake...

As King george might say, Shit Happens.

He would also say...."We're fighting a long war on terra, and there will be many casualties and disturbing events along the way. Some people will probably die. Not me or my friends, but other people. Some soldiers, a whole mess of Iraqi's, and a reporter here and there.

But 9/11 changed everything, and we must NEVER give up on this battle, and we'll fight until we win this struggle. Or until 2009 when I leave office, whichever comes last."

I'm willing to bet a Bridge, that nothing comes of this.