Senators show ignorance of military justice system

Reuters:

U.S. senators demanded on Tuesday that the Bush administration swiftly establish what happened in Haditha where U.S. Marines are suspected of killing 24 unarmed Iraqis.

They said only swift action could salvage the image of the military and U.S. international relations.

The Senate Armed Services Committee plans hearings soon on last November's incident in the western Iraqi town and to determine whether the military tried to cover it up.

One senator, from President George W. Bush's own Republican party, insisted Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld should be brought to account.

The senator, Susan Collins from Maine, said the committee must "ask hard questions such as, 'When did Secretary Rumsfeld learn of the allegations?' and 'What action did he take?"'

...

If Bush did what the Senators suggest the case would have to be dismissed because of the principle of "command influence." If it is shown that someone in command, influenced a prosecution, the verdict would be tainted. The senators need to hold their fire and let the military justice system work. They should also consider that the accused have a right to a fair court martial if charges are brought, and their own interference with that right will also create a problem.

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