Spain to probe US 'war crime'

[IndianaGreen]

This incident was captured on video when a US tank opened fired on the Palestine Hotel without any provocation. The Pentagon later claimed that the tank was firing at snipers, an obvious lie to all witnesses. As it was discussed in DU at the time, the attack was one of many intended to silence the media, particularly the troublesome foreign media, such as the bombing of Al-Jazeera's bureaus in Kabul and Baghdad.

Spain to probe US 'war crime'
Saturday 18 October 2003, 4:03 Makka Time, 1:03 GMT


US troops killed two journalists
and injured four on 8 April

In an unprecedented war crimes case, a High Court judge in Spain will investigate the death of a Spanish cameraman killed in a US tank attack during the war in Iraq.

Judicial sources said on Friday relatives of Telecinco cameraman Jose Couso asked the court in May to investigate his death and put three US soldiers on trial.

Their lawyer said the attack was a war crime and Spanish law allows for suspected war criminals to be tried in Spain wherever the alleged crime had been committed.

The 37-year-old cameraman was killed on 8 April when a US tank fired at a hotel serving as the main Baghdad base for international journalists covering the war.

A Pentagon report has absolved the US soldiers, who said they thought a spotter was directing enemy fire from the building.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/9BCF7F35-73FF-446C-90ED-B01B7818F770.htm

[moof]

1. A.Just one crime ??!! B. It's about time!

n/t

[PartyPooper]

2. I remember this story well. This is so sad for Jose Couso and his family.

I hope Spain can achieve justice for this crime. And, may the victim rest in peace.

O8)

[Pastiche423]

3. Is Spain able to extradite?

I know zip about international law.

[IndianaGreen]

4. Spain tried very hard to extradite Pinochet and Henry Kissinger

who were in the UK at the time. In the Kissinger case, the US Embassy had to smuggle Kissinger out of the UK so he wouldn't be served with a subpoena. In the Pinochet case, the Blair government contrived to get him flown back to Chile on the pretext that he was too ill to travel to Spain to answer charges.

International law only works when countries abide by it. Neither the US nor the UK have bothered much about international law, particularly when it involves their nationals or their allies.

Do a Google on Judge Baltasar Garson, a Spanish judge that has been giving fits to all sorts of sordid characters that are trying to avoid justice.

[Hieronymus]

5. Kissinger can't

travel outside the US because of war crimes he committed. I predict this whole administration will be in the same shape after they leave the White House.:kick:

[kayell]

6. Who will be the Iraqis Simon Weisenthal?

eom