Formerly secret files show coverup of Vietnam atrocities

[Karmadillo]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003180399_1vietnam07.html

<edit>

Now, nearly 40 years later, declassified Army files show that Henry was telling the truth — about the Feb. 8 killings and a series of other atrocities by the men of B Company.

The files are part of a once-secret archive assembled by a Pentagon task force in the early 1970s. It shows that confirmed atrocities by U.S. forces during the war were more extensive than previously was known.

The documents detail 320 alleged incidents substantiated by Army investigators — not including the most notorious U.S. atrocity, the 1968 My Lai massacre.

Although not a complete accounting of Vietnam War crimes, the roughly 9,000-page archive is the largest such collection to surface to date. Investigative files, sworn statements by witnesses and status reports for top military brass are included.

Abuses were not confined to a few rogue units, a Los Angeles Times review of the files found. They were uncovered in every Army division that operated there. Retired Brig. Gen. John Johns, a Vietnam veteran who served on the task force, said he once supported keeping the records secret but now believes they deserve wide attention in light of alleged attacks on civilians and abuse of prisoners in Iraq.

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[Norquist Nemesis]

1. 10 days till Bush declares an oops! and reclassifies. n/t

[Lerkfish]

2. interesting timing

[AngryAmish]

3. I was watching a show about WWII yesterday

They had both American and Japanese soldiers talking about committing war crimes (executing POWs). They said it very matter of factly. Not many Japanese POWs were taken (compared to German but plenty of German prisoners were shot on the battlefield were shot too).

My point: All these fancy words and treaties sound real good when they are made. I suspect that in combat many of these ideals go out the window (especially in regard to combatants. I think most folks lack the capacity to shoot women and children.)

I think we should be more honest at the atrocities of war.

[Disturbed]

4. It makes me wonder how many secrets won't be

uncovered for many years about Iraq & Afghanistan.