NewsMine — war-on-terror — iraq — 2003-invasion — media — journalists-hit-april-7 — Viewing Item

Us cleared over deaths { August 12 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3145965.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3145965.stm Last Updated: Tuesday, 12 August, 2003, 22:40 GMT 23:40 UK US cleared over Iraq hotel deaths By Justin Webb BBC correspondent in Washington A US military investigation has concluded that American soldiers who fired on a Baghdad hotel used by journalists during the war had strong reason to believe that hostile forces were in the building. Two cameramen, one Spanish and one Ukrainian, were killed in the attack. The report of the military investigation has not been made public, but officials have been briefing journalists about its findings and summaries have been sent to the Spanish and Ukrainian governments. The inquiry appears to have concluded that the crew of the US tank, which fired at the Palestine hotel, acted in self defence and in keeping with the rules of engagement set out for American troops. 'No direct fire' Officials said someone in the area of the hotel had been directing Iraqi fire on the Americans. The tank had targeted the hotel after seeing a person with binoculars on an upper floor acting in a manner consistent with that of a spotter. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, the Americans claimed that they were being fired on from the hotel. However this version of events was disputed by some journalists who were there. It seems that the claim of direct fire from the hotel has now also been dropped. Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/3145965.stm Published: 2003/08/12 22:40:27 GMT © BBC MMIII

Coverup over journalists death Palestine hotel struck journalists injured Palestine hotel { May 27 2003 } Pressure grows over journalists killing Reporters denied troops fired from hotel Reuters journalist killed { April 8 2003 } Search of truth { August 11 2003 } Stopped firing on press base { April 8 2003 } Tanks killer reuters journalist Us attacks kill three journalists Us cleared over deaths { August 12 2003 } Us missile hits aljazeera office { April 8 2003 } Us scolded for clearing forces Warned journalists should not be there Files Listed: 14

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