The U.S. military said on Friday it was still processing a request by Reuters for video footage from U.S. helicopters and other materials relating to the killing of two Iraqi staff in Baghdad a year ago.

Reuters photographer Namir Noor-Eldeen, 22, and driver Saeed Chmagh, 40, were killed in a U.S. helicopter air strike in eastern Baghdad on July 12, 2007.

Reuters wants all the materials to be able to study what happened. Access to the video, taken from helicopters involved in the attack, could also help improve Reuters’ safety policies in Iraq, the world’s most dangerous country for journalists.

Noor-Eldeen and Chmagh had gone to eastern Baghdad after hearing of a military raid on a building around dawn that day, and were with a group of men at the time. It is believed two or three of these men may have been carrying weapons, although witnesses said none were assuming a hostile posture.

Video from two U.S. Apache helicopters and photographs taken of the scene were shown to Reuters editors in Baghdad on July 25, 2007 in an off-the-record briefing.

U.S. military officers who presented the materials said Reuters had to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to get copies. This request was made the same day.

Reuters has not received any formal response in nearly a year.

Reuters is still waiting. The Army is still stonewalling.




  1. #30 – Mr Allen

    >>Yet, there are people on this blog who think it is
    >>OK to kill people for not agreeing with the Bush
    >>administration. Can you tell me what has gone wrong
    >>with Americans? When did we quit believing in the
    >>rule of law?

    I’m not sure, Mr. Allen. I think once we allowed Dumbya to take posession of his throne in the Oval Office, we started swirling around the toidy-bowl for the last time.

    And there are actually people who still support that doosh bague.

    I’m with crabby Scott. We’re fucked. Totally fucked.

  2. Paddy-O says:

    #31 “I’m with crabby Scott. We’re fucked. Totally fucked.”

    No, we’re not. Omama will fix all. Remember, hopefully changing hope.

  3. Rick Cain says:

    All journalist vehicles in iraq have PRESS in huge letters on the roof, hood, and even sides, and they usually try to use white cars so they stick out.

    I’m sure the US military in its frustration with losing this war, is targeting the press intentionally. This is a common tactic with any military that is not doing well.

  4. MikeN says:

    Reuters is the company that can’t even say ‘terrorist’. Hoe much reporting could their guys have been doing?

  5. Paddy-O says:

    #33 Rick Cain said stuttered,

    “All journalist vehicles in iraq have PRESS in huge letters on the roof, hood, and even sides, and they usually try to use white cars so they stick out.”

    So, I imagine the terrorists are bit smarter than you Rick. Say 120 points more of IQ than you, so about 125 IQ.

    So, they start using cars with PRESS in huge letters on white cars. Since the 5 IQ press don’t want military escorts, how does the soldier on the ground tell terrorist from press then?

    I’m sure this didn’t occur to you. Which is why you think it is US policy to kill Reuters staff.

    Get an IQ before you post. It will help.

  6. Smartalix says:

    Paddy

    for a troll, you don’t sound as stupid as moist, but your position is equally disingenuous. We will never agree, and I hope those sick fucks in this administration who think like you get thier day in court.

    You and people like you have turned this country into the evil we used to fight. I hope you’re proud.

  7. Paddy-O says:

    #36 “for a troll, you don’t sound as stupid as moist”

    I didn’t know I sounded “moist”. I think you meant I don’t sound as stupid as you. That’s not any great feat so I’ll take it as an insult.

    I’m glad you hope our troops will get prosecuted for defending their lives because they have been thrown into an impossible situation by BushCo.

  8. Smartalix says:

    Ooh, I made a typo, that must mean my argument is invalid.

    At least I’m glad you realize that Bush and his administration are a bunch of fuckwits only interested in lining their pockets with the blood money.

  9. Paddy-O says:

    #38 “At least I’m glad you realize that Bush and his administration are a bunch of fuckwits only interested in lining their pockets with the blood money.”

    I never said otherwise. However, there are those who think that an 18 yr old kid who is under threat of death everyday from terrorists means gov’t officials have put out hit contracts on western media. AND that these same 18 year olds have accepted said orders and are purposely murdering journalists.

    Those that think that are INSANE.

  10. #39 – Patrick

    >>gov’t officials have put out hit contracts
    >>on western media.

    No, just on the ones who don’t toe the gov’t line. Those journalists must die.

    MISSION BEING ACCOMPLISHED!

  11. Paddy-O says:

    #40 Welcome to the club. See #39 above.

  12. #41 – Patrick

    Have you been living under a rock, or what?

    Are you seriously putting forth the proposition that Dumbya’s puppetmasters aren’t capable of doing this?

    Sheesh. No wonder you voted for the fuck.

  13. Smartalix says:

    39,

    You’re right, the soldiers are in an untenable position. That’s why we need to bring them home, and if we can get the Dems to grow some kind of spine, impeach Bush for this insane war.

  14. Mr. Fusion says:

    #37, Paddy

    #36 “for a troll, you don’t sound as stupid as moist”

    I didn’t know I sounded “moist”.

    You do. As with most nuts, when you blather your nonsense, you spray.


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