|
Only 55 percent of U.S.
soldiers would report killing innocent civilian
U.S. Examines Iraq Battlefield Ethics
By PAULINE JELINEK
Associated Press Writer
05/04/07 - -- WASHINGTON (AP)
-- A new Pentagon survey of troops in Iraq found that only
40 percent of Marines and 55 percent of Army soldiers would
report a member of their unit for killing or wounding an
innocent civilian.
In the first internal military study of battlefield ethics in
Iraq, officials said Friday they also found that only a third of
Marines and roughly half of soldiers said they believed that
noncombatants should be treated with dignity.
The study also found that long and repeated deployments were
increasing troop mental health problems. And it showed that more
than 40 percent of Marines and soldiers said torture should be
allowed to save the lives of troops.
The study was the fourth since 2003. Previous studies were more
generally aimed at assessing the mental health and well-being of
forces deployed in the war.
In the latest study, a mental health team visited Iraq last fall
and surveyed troops, health care providers and chaplains.
"The Marine Corps takes this issue of battlefield ethics very
seriously," said Lt. Col. Scott Fazekas, a Corps spokesman. "We
are examining the study and its recommendations and we'll find
ways to improve our approach."
© 2007 The Associated Press
Click here
to comment on this and other articles
Send Page To a Friend
In accordance
with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material
is distributed without profit to those who have
expressed a prior interest in receiving the
included information for research and educational
purposes. Information Clearing House has no
affiliation whatsoever with the originator of
this article nor is Information ClearingHouse
endorsed or sponsored by the originator.)
|
