georgephillip
Diamond Member
"In the history of human rights, the worst atrocities are always committed by somebody else, never us," according to James Peck, international affairs scholar. Contrast the US Marine assault on Fallujah in November of 2004 with Bosnian Serb commander, Ratko Mladic's, crimes in Srebrenica
"Another major crime with very serious persisting effects is the Marine assault on the Iraqi city of Fallujah in November 2004.
"Women and children were permitted to escape if they could. After several weeks of bombing, the attack opened with a carefully planned war crime: invasion of the Fallujah General Hospital, where patients and staff were ordered to the floor, their hands tied. Soon the bonds were loosened; the compound was secure.
"The official justification was that the hospital was reporting civilian casualties, and therefore was considered a propaganda weapon.
"Much of the city was left in 'smoking ruins,' the press reported while the Marines sought out insurgents in their 'warrens.' The invaders barred entry to the Red Crescent relief organization. Absent an official inquiry, the scale of the crimes is unknown.
"If the Fallujah events are reminiscent of the events that took place in the Bosnian enclave of Srebrenica, now again in the news with the genocide trial of Bosnian Serb military commander Ratko Mladic, there's a good reason.
"An honest comparison would be instructive, but there's no fear of that: One is an atrocity, the other not, by definition."
Somebody Else's Atrocities
"Another major crime with very serious persisting effects is the Marine assault on the Iraqi city of Fallujah in November 2004.
"Women and children were permitted to escape if they could. After several weeks of bombing, the attack opened with a carefully planned war crime: invasion of the Fallujah General Hospital, where patients and staff were ordered to the floor, their hands tied. Soon the bonds were loosened; the compound was secure.
"The official justification was that the hospital was reporting civilian casualties, and therefore was considered a propaganda weapon.
"Much of the city was left in 'smoking ruins,' the press reported while the Marines sought out insurgents in their 'warrens.' The invaders barred entry to the Red Crescent relief organization. Absent an official inquiry, the scale of the crimes is unknown.
"If the Fallujah events are reminiscent of the events that took place in the Bosnian enclave of Srebrenica, now again in the news with the genocide trial of Bosnian Serb military commander Ratko Mladic, there's a good reason.
"An honest comparison would be instructive, but there's no fear of that: One is an atrocity, the other not, by definition."
Somebody Else's Atrocities