3 soldiers died Friday, but their deaths weren't announced until Tuesday?

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGB8EWENVDE.html

Iraq, Britain Step Up Feud Over Basra, Eight Killed in Baghdad Fighting

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - About 500 civilians and policemen rallied Wednesday in the southern city of Basra and denounced "British aggression" following London's decision to use force to free two of its soldiers being held by Iraqi police.

Attacks by insurgents continued in and around Baghdad, with a roadside bomb wounding two U.S. soldiers. The blast came a day after the death toll for U.S. forces in Iraq rose to more than 1,900.

The demonstrators in Basra, which included police and civilians waving pistols and AK47s, shouted "No to occupation!" and carried banners condemning "British aggression and demanding the freed soldiers be tried in an Iraqi court as "terrorists."

Some of the protesters met with the Basra police chief, Gen. Hassan Sawadi, to demand a British apology, said police spokesman Col. Karim al-Zaidi. Heavily armed soldiers and police watched the protest but didn't intervene.

Three soldiers died Friday, but their deaths weren't announced until Tuesday.

Why would they hold back the news of 3 US soldiers dying the better part of a week?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. because the admin "manages" news, it does not release it.

besides, who would DARE interfere with a national oratorical effort from the top guy with such bad news?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. Because they were waiting to see if Bush would get a slight bounce

from his Katrina speech

[wakeme2008]

3. IMHO you are going to see a lot of this as

we get to 2,000 deaths. :( :( :( :cry:

[eglide]

4. Probably to notify families.

My son has been in Iraq since Jan. I dread a visit from soldiers in a govt. car but sure would hate to see news about him on the TV first. Just sayin. He's OK, we email regularly, ain't the internets grand.

[karlrschneider]

5. Welcome to DU and thanks to your son. We'll keep sending him good

vibes for a safe return!
:D

[alcibiades_mystery]

6. They have been announcing deaths next day

And holding off on specific identifying information until the family has been notified. That's been the practice for quite a while now. So, your explanation doesn't wash.

[MADem]

10. It could be the unit size or location

If it is a smaller unit, word spreads fast. Also, if the bulk of the family members are on installation housing, it can be horrific waiting for word, and they don't want to risk the neighbors knowing before the surviving family members do. Rumors fly like crazy. Also, if a PNOK is not home, away for the weekend, it can be problematic as well.

And, not to be disgusting, it could also be that they had to sort out whose leg that was, whose arm, and do the formal identification. Even though you have Sgt. So and So telling you that it was Private Joe Blow and Sad Sack who took the hits, they have to verify.

[NNN0LHI]

7. Don't think so

They can report deaths without giving names to give time to notify the families. Just like they had been doing for several years up until now. This is political BS.

Don

[MADem]

9. That is my take as well

Especially if it is a unit where there is some phone or internet communication. If an announcement is made that someone from that unit or even region is killed, there is a huge spike in family concern, the Red Cross gets overwhelmed with welfare calls, as does the duty desk at the Pentagon.

It could be that one or more of the primary Next of Kin (PNOK) were away for the weekend....

[nonconformist]

8. They're trying to turn Iraq into the "forgotten war"

Like they have Afghanistan.

[global1]

11. * Admin Waiting For A Bigger News Event To Come About To.....

bury it. "We don't want people knowing that we're screwing up there too."