.S. INVESTIGATES ALLEGATION OF LAW OF WAR VIOLATION (VIDEO)

U.S. Looks Into Videotaped Desecration of Taliban Corpses by Army Unit, By Richard A. Serrano, Times Staff Writer

WASHINGTON — The Army is investigating a group of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan who were caught on videotape desecrating the bodies of two dead Taliban fighters and using the burning corpses in a propaganda effort to dare other militants to "come and fight like men."

The tape, shot this month by an Australian photojournalist traveling with a U.S. Army unit, was aired on Australian television Wednesday and immediately drew concern from Pentagon officials. FULL TEXT

U.S. investigates desecration report, By DANIEL COONEY, Thursday, October 20, 2005 Posted at 11:10 AM EDT, Associated Press

Australia's SBS television network broadcast video that purportedly showed U.S. soldiers burning the bodies of the suspected Taliban fighters in the hills outside the southern village of Gonbaz, near the former Taliban stronghold of Kandahar.

The network said the video was taken by a freelance journalist, Stephen Dupont, who told the Associated Press he was embedded with the Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade earlier this month. Mr. Dupont said the burnings happened Oct. 1.

In the video, which was seen by the AP, two soldiers who spoke with American accents later broadcast taunting messages that the SBS said targeted the village, which was believed to be harbouring Taliban soldiers.

Mr. Dupont said the soldiers responsible for the loudspeaker broadcasts were part of a U.S. Army psychological operations unit FULL TEXT

SOURCE SBS Dateline's John Martinkus and freelance photojournalist Stephen Dupont. And earlier this evening Stephen and George Negus looked at that Taliban burning footage and then talked about it here in the studio.Psych War in Afghanistan transcript, and Stephen Dupont Interview FULL STREAMING VIDEO

U.S. INVESTIGATES ALLEGATION OF LAW OF WAR VIOLATION

SOURCE: HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND, 7115 South Boundary Boulevard, MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101, Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894 October 19, 2005 Release Number: 05-10-72, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/NewsRelease=20051072 Public RElations, Flowers, SPC Claude W. (USA) flowercw@centcom.mil

COMBINED FORCES COMMAND – AFGHANISTAN, COALITION PRESS INFORMATION CENTER, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN, APO AE 09356 Kabul-Presscenter@cfc-a.centcom.mil Mobile : 070-276-545 cfc-a.centcom.mil FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Oct. 20, 2005, Release # 051020-02 Allegation of Law of War Violation

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - The Army Criminal Investigation Division has initiated an investigation into alleged misconduct by U.S. service members, including the burning of dead enemy combatant bodies under inappropriate circumstances.

"This command takes all allegations of misconduct or inappropriate behavior seriously and has directed an investigation into circumstances surrounding this allegation," said Maj. Gen. Jason Kamiya, Combined Joint Task Force-76 Commander. "If the allegation is substantiated, the appropriate course of action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and corrective action will be taken."

Service members are expected to abide by the highest standards of behavior and the law, he said.

"This command does not condone the mistreatment of enemy combatants or the desecration of their religious and cultural beliefs," Kamiya said.

"This alleged action is repugnant to our common values, is contrary to our commands approved tactical operating procedures, and is not sanctioned by this command. Our efforts to thoroughly investigate this allegation are a reflection of our commitment to the Government of Afghanistan and the Afghan people."

UPDATE: ALLEGED MISCONDUCT BY U.S. FORCES

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