http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7491280/




NBC News has learned that a preliminary report from a joint U.S.-Italian investigation has cleared the American soldiers of any wrongdoing and provides new details into the shooting.



Intelligence agent Calipari had just negotiated Sgrena’s release from Iraqi kidnappers on March 4 when the two and a driver headed for the Baghdad airport in a compact rental car.

It was dark when the Italians turned onto a ramp leading to the airport road where the U.S. military had set up a temporary checkpoint.

The investigation found the car was about 130 yards from the checkpoint when the soldiers flashed their lights as a warning to stop. But the car kept coming and, at 90 yards, warning shots were fired. At 65 yards, when the car failed to stop, the soldiers used lethal force — a machine gun burst that killed Calipari and wounded Sgrena and the driver.

Senior U.S. military officials say it took only about four seconds from the first warning to the fatal shots, but insist the soldiers acted properly under the current rules of engagement.

The investigation failed, however, to resolve one critical dispute: The Americans claim the car was racing toward the checkpoint at about 50 miles per hour, the Italians say it was traveling at a much slower speed.




To bad "CBS 60 Minutes Wednesday"', couldn't wait for this report to come out prior to sympathetic story to the America hating Communist reporter.

 

So many parts of Sgrena's story didn't add-up that it was laughable.

-Target accusition
-Time of day
-SOP
-Her testimony to the numeroud shots fired when only a couple bullets hit the car... but yet she still stressed the low-speed approach???
-Communication


The list goes on and on...

I'd go one step higher and give everyone of those men a commendation with "V" device just to **** her and Italy off more.

 

Looks like Italy may prosecute the solider involved.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006..._591_17_06.txt

Since this incident took place I managed to talk to an OIF veteran that knew exactly where this checkpoint was. He said that the possibility of soldiers and Baghdad/area locals not knowing the location of this checkpoint is like a New Yorker not knowing what city the Statue of Liberty is located. Unreal.

 

italy did after all issue warrants for cia officers...

http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/mai.../24/wcia24.xml

doesnt surprise me they are trying to bring the solider to court...

 

I wonder who wrote the report. It sounds like Italy isn't really on board with the findings, if they're trying to sue the parties responsible for the deaths.