Spain orders arrest of US troops

So what is the point in this ? Does Spain think that the US will give some of their boys up !

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A Spanish judge has issued an international arrest order for three US soldiers over the shelling of a Baghdad hotel that killed a cameraman.
Judge Santiago Pedraz issued the warrant for Sgt Shawn Gibson, Capt Philip Wolford and Lt Col Philip de Camp, of the US 3rd Infantry Division.

Jose Couso, of Spanish TV network Telecinco, died in April 2003 when a US tank fired on the Palestine Hotel.

Reuters news agency cameraman Taras Protsyuk, a Ukrainian, was also killed.

The National Court agreed to consider filing criminal charges against three members of the tank crew two years ago, acting on a request from Mr Couso's family.

'No co-operation'

Speaking on Wednesday, the judge said he had issued the arrest order because of a lack of judicial co-operation from the US in the case.

The family of Mr Couso said they were delighted at the news, and that they now hoped justice would be done.

US officials say the tank crew believed they were being shot at when they opened fire, although TV footage of the incident did not record any incoming fire.

The incident was witnessed on TV around the world on the day before the fall of the regime of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, as the Palestine was the base for almost all the foreign media crews in Baghdad.

Earlier on the same day, a correspondent for the Arabic TV broadcaster al-Jazeera was killed when US missiles hit the network's office in Baghdad.

Following the incident, then-US Secretary of State Colin Powell said a US review of the incident had found the use of force was justified.

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Originally Posted by ShadesWolf

So what is the point in this? Does Spain think that the US will give some of their boys up !

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Apparently the Spanish judge thinks that might does not make right. He has his own decision to make. If the U.S. does not cooperate, it means the warrant is justified and Americans connected to the case can be arrested on European soil.

Now this is politics at its worse.

So if the tank fired at the window which the servicemember believed that fire came from. Trying to hold the tank crew responsible for the death of a civilian in a war zone is one thing. but Why is the Battalion Commander and the Company commander being charged for the actions of the tank crew?

Politics and the desire to be seen as doing something in the eyes of the anti-United States crowd that is running around in Spain. :dizzy2: I wonder if the Judge is going to run for public office?

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Originally Posted by AdrianII

Apparently the Spanish judge thinks that might does not make right. He has his own decision to make. If the U.S. does not cooperate, it means the warrant is justified and Americans connected to the case can be arrested on European soil.

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Bull shit Adrian, and I suspect that you even know that. Its a political stunt by the Judge in Spain.

Again filing against an NCO - which is most likely the Tank Commander of the Tank might be justified.

Filing against the Battalion Commander and Company commander smacks soley of politics.

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Originally Posted by Redleg

Now this is politics at its worse.

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It seems you have your mind made up without knowing the facts that the Spanish judge knows. So much for your sense of justice. I seriously doubt that you would react in the same vein if the soldiers were Spaniards and the victim were an American.

BTW Spanish judges do not usually run for office.

so now we blame the soldiers instead of the one who gave the comand:dizzy2:

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Originally Posted by AggonyKing

so now we blame the soldiers instead of the one who gave the comand:dizzy2:

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Exactly. The judge seems to have a better notion of responsibility than Redleg. I guess it hurts Americans, who are used to judging defendants from all across the world on American soil for crimes committed against Americans, to even consider one of their own standing trial abroad. They have no solid reasons to oppose the principal, hence the easy use of invective like 'bullshit'. I guess Devastatin Dave will put in his two cents of anti-European ranting before long and another potentially interesting thread will be gone to the dogs.
:dozey:

ordering an arrest is different that issuing a conviction.

countries issue arrest warrants for US military personnel from time to time, usually for crimes of rape or robbery (and the US has always complied). that said, this is an unenforceable order unless the US decided to comply.

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Originally Posted by AdrianII

It seems you have your mind made up without knowing the facts that the Spanish judge knows. So much for your sense of justice. I seriously doubt that you would react in the same vein if the soldiers were Spaniards and the victim were an American.

BTW Spanish judges do not usually run for office.

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Okay smart guy - what United States Tank Crew has an SGT, A Captain, and a Lieutant Colonel all sitting in the Tank Turrent the minute it fires a round. A little common sense well tell you that that doesn't happen. But you wouldn't know that I image since you remain in the safe confines of your office and home in Europe. Miles away from any battlefield where real harm can come at without a momments notice.

And you want to tried insults about responsiblity there Adrian - try again. Notice what was stated verus what you want to be stated.

If the soldiers were Spanish - I would draw the same conclusion find out if the Soldiers responsible acted according to the rules of war. The victim was a reporter in a war zone - not some innocent bystander on the street corner in a civilian sector outside of a war zone. The rules of war is what applies to the soldiers actions - not some desire of a political motivative charge in Spain.

The arrest order on its face smacks of politics not justice.

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Originally Posted by AdrianII

Exactly. The judge seems to have a better notion of responsibility than Redleg. I guess it hurts Americans, who are used to judging defendants from all across the world on American soil for crimes committed against Americans, to even consider one of their own standing trial abroad. They have no solid reasons to oppose the principal, hence the easy use of invective like 'bullshit'. I guess Devastatin Dave will put in his two cents of anti-European ranting before long and another potentially interesting thread will be gone to the dogs.
:dozey:

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Again your statement was bull shit because of what it stated - not what the judge is doing - you actually might want to try to read what is written verus what you believe the statement to say.

Again for your reading pleasure in bold and larger print since you have a problem reading simple english.

Bull shit Adrian, and I suspect that you even know that. Its a political stunt by the Judge in Spain.

Again filing against an NCO - which is most likely the Tank Commander of the Tank might be justified.

Filing against the Battalion Commander and Company commander smacks soley of politics.

Notice what is stated not the crap that you image is being stated. Its really easy to think you know what someone is stating - but it seems you have lack of ability to seperate the political bull shit that you wish to believe from the reality of what the action is.

someone want to restart this thread?