The top U.S. general in Iraq on Thursday ordered American commanders to
conduct core values training on moral and ethical standards on the battlefield.
Iraqi security forces celebrate after U.S.
Forward Operating Base (FOB) 'Charlie' which was being used by the 1st
Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, is handed over to them at a ceremony in
Hillah, Iraq Wednesday, May. 31, 2006. The transfer of the base takes
place after many months of training and combined missions and Iraqi
Security Forces' assumption of the operational area last year, according
to the U.S. military. [AP] |
The order from Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, the commander of Multinational Corps
Iraq, came as the U.S. military investigated whether U.S. Marines might have
intentionally killed unarmed civilians in the Iraqi town of Haditha on Nov. 19.
The killings, in which victims included women and children, followed a bomb
attack on a military convoy that killed a Marine.
Chiarelli said in a statement the training would emphasize "professional
military values and the importance of disciplined, professional conduct in
combat" as well as Iraqi cultural expectations.
"As military professionals, it is important that we take time to reflect on
the values that separate us from our enemies," Chiarelli said. "The challenge
for us is to make sure the actions of a few do not tarnish the good work of the
many."
The training will be conducted in units over the next 30 days and was aimed
at reinforcing training service members received prior to their deployment,
according to the statement.
"Of the nearly 150,000 Coalition Forces presently in Iraq, 99.9 percent of
them perform their jobs magnificently every day," Chiarelli said.
Of those troops, about 130,000 are from the United States.
"They do their duty with honor under difficult circumstances. They exhibit
sound judgment, honesty and integrity. They display patience, professionalism
and restraint in the face of a treacherous enemy. And they do the right thing
even when no one is watching," Chiarelli said.
He added, however, that "unfortunately, there are a few individuals who
sometimes choose the wrong path."
The order was issued about a week after the U.S. Marine Commandant, Gen.
Michael W. Hagee, traveled to Iraq and cautioned troops on the danger of
becoming "indifferent to the loss of a human life," following the allegations
that Marines killed civilians in Haditha.
