Troops in Shooting Were for Negroponte

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050310/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_italy_hostage&cid=540&ncid=1480

BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. troops who mistakenly killed an Italian intelligence agent last week on the road to Baghdad's international airport were part of extra security provided by the U.S. Army to protect U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte, a U.S. official said Thursday.


Italian intelligence agent Nicola Calipari was killed Friday when U.S. troops opened fire on a car carrying him and Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena, who had just been freed from insurgents.


"The mobile patrol was there to enhance security because Ambassador Negroponte was expected through," U.S. Embassy spokesman Robert Callahan said, confirming reports in Italian media. The newspaper La Repubblica reported Wednesday that the checkpoint had been "set up to protect the passage of Ambassador Negroponte."


It was not known if Negroponte, who was nominated last month by President Bush (news - web sites) to be the new director of national intelligence, had already passed through the checkpoint.

more

[gWbush is Mabus]

1. Negroponte = death squads

now, the CIA = death squads

[crikkett]

9. Could N. have been the target?

:tinfoilhat:

[Blue to the bone]

91. Surely you jest. n/t

[hector459]

72. Put American officials in uniform if they want to "visit" Iraq.

To hell with providing extra security at the risk of more US soldiers getting killed or killing.

[RegexReader]

178. best idea in a long time

that way they get the 'real' situation. Wonder if they would be so brave the first time they got shot at by an AK?

RegexReader
$USA =~ s/Republican/Democrat/ig;

[Ganja Ninja]

2. I guess we can throw out the accident theory. n/t

[Skink]

3. Maybe he'll be the fall guy.

Later he can clean up selling books and hosting a talk show.

[leftchick]

6. "the accident" was only theory on US TV...

the rest of the world knows what thugs we have running Iraq.

[bear425]

71. Hey thanks for the link to tiedyes.com

I've been looking for a good source of peace t-shirts for upcoming protest weekend March 18-19. Thanks!

edit: spelling of course

[leftchick]

74. They are my new favorite source....

http://www.tiedyes.com/peacestickers.html




They have everything from jewelry to banners. So hard to choose...

:)

[ElectroPrincess]

103. Yes, that's an excellent store, took me back to my childhood of the 70s...

Unfortunately those of us in some of the Southern Red States are much healthier, body and soul, to remain undercover PeaceNics. :hippie:

[leftchick]

118. hey I am in NC!!!

I wear my peace stickers, jewelry and flags proudly! :)

[ElectroPrincess]

121. Guess your immediate neighbors don't don "lawn jockeys" at the

ends of their driveways nor have flag poles sporting the ole' confederate stars and bars. Don't even get me started on the bumper stickers and gun racks in their picky up trucks.

Nope, I much prefer deep cover ... it's nice to not be taunted or get one's a** shot at. Word to the wise: Some of these folks are downright scary, be advised and stay healthy friends ;). :crazy:

[Botany]

4. I hope this gets out ......

..... but we will have 25 minutes on M. Jackson tonight.

The MSM is about as useful as tits on a boar hog.

Look at this thread ......

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3250046

stolen elections, lies for war, and murder ........
Karl does it here ..... Rummy does it outside of the country

:bounce:

[anarchy1999]

5. The "Salvadoran Option" is fully operational and functioning semi-well.

"They" just goofed a little this time. They got caught some how.

[ElectroPrincess]

15. Yes, they didn't count on that OPEN cell line to the Italian Embassy ...

After the 15-20 second *burst* of fire. Wow, it bet that was a big freak for the ole' timers who are not used to such handy electronic witnesses. Kind of like a 911 call, aye?

[anarchy1999]

61. Aye! I think it was a big WWhoops! Fubar and all the rest rolled into

one big disaster. With pride and arrogance comes what? Downfall.

Someday, someday these criminals will go down, maybe not in our lifetime, but they will.

Rest assured, they will.

[leftchick]

76. This is just for you anarchy1999....

Empires Fall
This one will too
Heres to the day
When this one is
THROUGH!!!

[anarchy1999]

90. Salud! And Cheers to you, dear leftchick!

See you on the other side. Costa Rica, maybe?

[SpiralHawk]

7. Goons de Negroponte

Now they are not just in Iraq, but here at home in DC and coming to neighborhood near you. Soon.

But this, too, shall pass.

[VegasWolf]

89. Negroponte's Iraq DEATH SQUADS ensuring good ole USA "values"!

[enough]

8. If this were a Robert Stone movie,

everyone would say he made it up.

[jbnow]

11. We are years into the surreal movie

Though the story would go back further it would open with 9/11. The horrific terror shown over and over on TV would be essential to explain the mass delusions that followed...

Even for a novel the most unbelievable part is that we let it all happen.

Well the story isn't over, may the plot take better twists.

[Stand and Fight]

17. Do you mean Oliver Stone? n/t

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

22. Could be this Robert Stone...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093817/

It's kinda relevant.

[enough]

31. Yes

Thank you.

[Julius Civitatus]

10. Surprise, surprise...

So they were the personal bodyguards of a notorious thug with a massive collection of crimes against humanity.

US media: Nothing to see here. Move along...

PS: could you please change the title of this thread to be more specific? Instead of "were for Negroponte" it should read "worked for negroponte." It makes more sense that way. Just my 2 cents.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

14. No.

Instead of "were for Negroponte" it should read "worked for negroponte."

We have no idea whether they were personal bodyguards or just normal troops who got called in to do the job, so you can't necessarily make that assertion. From the article, it sounds like they were regular army, providing additional security as would normally be the case with other officials. They have their own private security details, of course, but it doesn't sound like these troops were part of that.

[Kagemusha]

18. But that's not what the article said.

And it doesn't seem to be what the article means.

If more info comes out invalidating what I'm reading, I will stand most corrected. But people are thinking death squads and personal bodyguards, and that ain't what I'm reading here..

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

20. Here here!

And a hearty RTFA to everyone. :)

[Media_Lies_Daily]

102. It appears that you have not yet qualified in the....

..."Reading Between the Lines in US Media" course.

If Negroponte's name is mentioned, you can bet something fishy was going on. His name has long been associated with death squads...wherever he has been assigned.

[nolabels]

12. Calling Mr Pitt

It's starting to look like orthodoxy time

Bev Harris was a bum wrap, but the Nick Berg story was a sad home run.

Wonder how this one is going to turn out :think:

[Julius Civitatus]

21. I guess we should wait for more light on this twist to the story

[nolabels]

115. Every time we find out more about this story it starts to look more ugly

The newest twist is blame the victim. This columnist in my daily Reich-wing named Michelle Malkin has the title of her piece called "ITALY FEEDS TERROR". Some people are so clueless they probably don't even know what side to butter their bread on.

Then in a piece a few months earlier she gives credence that the jailbirds of the Italian mob have okay credentials and should threaten whoever might be accused of terrorism.

In other words they probably deserved it somehow because it is now too inconvenient for the U.S. and they are only Italians anyway.

http://michellemalkin.com/archives/000994.htm

All the lies they keep on wanting to tell just don't shake out when compared to the others who are wanting to lie also. You think they could they could go in concert at least get all their lies straight :shrug:

[Kagemusha]

13. People, if they were guards for Negroponte,

they sure as hell would be private military contractors.

EXTRA SECURITY doesn't mean THOSE kinds of goons. It may just mean some unrelated US military unit that was never told about no stinkin' hostage or no stinkin' Italians and saw a "hostile vehicle" appear SUDDENLY and WITHOUT WARNING.

Which is a monumental fubar situation. But not an assassination by guards devoted exclusively to Negroponte's protection that could double as a death squad.

[Bridget Burke]

16. So glad that Negroponte is getting that big promotion....

He'll have his special protectors stationed in the USA from now on...

[ElectroPrincess]

24. For Negroponte, oh no no no ... not your average GI Joe can

protect this selected chief of *all* USA Intelligence in the near future. How many of you folks believe that they just "pulled" a few dough-boys from an adjacent Infantry Unit, instead of inserting the creme of the crop of *Select* highly trained and armed for bear = USA Mercenaries? ... oops! I meant USA Contractors (Ex-Special Forces, SEALS or Army Rangers)

Anyone? Anyone? Nope, I didn't think so. <eg>

[Turley]

30. I believe it

but only because I did exactly the same thing for WJC, his wife, the SecDef, the SacEur, and a bunch of other VIPs who I can't recall right now. Got my photo taken with WJC too.

Anytime people like that transit through military zones the Joes get called up to go freeze their a$$es off. That's a no-brainer for anyone who's served.

[tuckessee]

67. In what war-zone did you protect WJC?

Was it a war-zone where thousands of top of the line mercenaries were employed as VIP bodyguards?

[Turley]

70. It was in Eastern Europe

He had about 300 Secret Service with him. Other VIPs also had significant Secret Service details but nothing like the POTUS Army.

We worked with them all the time.

The point is, it's perfectly normal to detail troops to go guard roads when these guys are around. You can't have Secret Service Dudes shivering out in the cold now can you?

[ElectroPrincess]

81. In a War Zone, troops are NOT informed of WHO is traveling through ...

The senior Officers and NCOs may or may not be informed at the unit level. I admire you excellent work in Europe, but in this theater of operations, very little intelligence is shared at the troop level in the interest of Operations Security.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

105. So, what you're saying is that the checkpoint troops are free to kill....

...anyone that approaches a US checkpoint without making any attempt to find out who they are first?

Interesting.

You don't suppose an exception could have been made for the safe passage of an Italian that had been held hostage for a considerable amount of time, do you?

[ElectroPrincess]

107. IMO, you know better than those accusations ... you are now being glib

No, of course not. However, I KNOW for a fact since I had the pleasure of serving in the Intelligence Field that even soldiers at the Company Level may NOT be privy to the EXACT name of the high level official. Calm down. NO, I do NOT know if this unit was MERC or some stray platoon snagged to post at this tragic place.

However, you have no right to claim my suspicions are not potentially viable as the "straggle GI" theory of mistaken identity.

On Edit: Read my previous posts on this topic? Save for the knowledge that the individual troop may not know the exact ID of the high ranking official, you and I share the same suspicions. Hope you can understand that I'm just sharing my past experience with the group. :hi:

[TankLV]

137. Except - THEY HAD ALREADY PASSED ALL CHECKPOINTS!

and WERE MOVING AWAY FROM THE LAST CHECKPOINT TOWARDS THE WAITING PLANE AND ITALIAN TROOPS.

and THEY SHOT 300-400 ROUNDS AT JUST THE BACK OF THE CAR - THE FRONT AND DRIVER HAD NOT BEEN SHOT.

just thought I'd remind everyone.

[ElectroPrincess]

77. Well, I disagree, it's not a no-brainier because I SERVED

in the good ole' US Active Duty Army (80s) and I do NOT believe these were your average troops. These were most likely hired *elite* contractors (ex-military SF, Rangers, Seals, etc.).

Why? Well, you have to ask yourself the following question: "Why, if these were "pulled troops" did JUST this ONE group (hum?) fire for 15-20 of automatic fire without the rest "of the gang" (other units) getting involved in piling on. Plus, when we were pulled for extra duty, we were NOT necessarily told WHAT or FOR WHOM we were being placed as extra security. Why? Simple - Operations Security (OPSEC).

If these troops "Were for Negroponte" I'd be willing to bet money that they compose a highly trained, elite contractor (mercenary?) unit, NOT some average G.I. Joe that, if it were true, would NOT have been briefed as much.

Nope, this does not add up. BTW I'm not being harsh because in the past I've found myself in the same position. It's good to NOT assume the person who you are responding to is NOT a veteran ... even if the poster is a woman. No dig to you because - I've learned in other situations, that when we ass-u-me, often times, we end up with either "egg on our face" or in a "world of hurt." Glad it's always been the former for me also.

Airborne!

[July]

25. OTOH, your "may" underlines how little we know.

We don't know it WAS a targeted hit, nor do we know it wasn't. Why assume the latter, unless you know for a fact that the guards were private contractors -- who didn't know about the Italians -- whose vehicle appeared SUDDENLY and WITHOUT warning. Those last two points have been publicly contradicted by the Italians, and AFAIK, we don't know if the guards were U.S. military or private contractors. I'd say both FUBAR and targeting are still on the table pending further information.

[Kagemusha]

28. Look, what's sudden and without warning to you and me

might look a lot different to a bunch of soldiers protecting a US ambassador. Let's say the permanent checkpoints had warning but no one passed the warning on to reassigned troops no one even knew (for operational security) would be there. This could've been just a monumental tragedy created by poor communications practices. Of course if that is the case the US is working hard to cover it up.

The problem is these conspiracy theorists who think that because Negroponte was involved it's an absolute certainty these were mercs/ death squads. In American uniforms? Apologizing afterwards? Those reports, which come from the Italians chiefly, are consistent with the reassigned unit scenario. And this article didn't SAY otherwise no matter what people want it to say.

Edited out a detail that wasn't confirmed in the media (I don't wanna speculate any more than I have to).

[July]

32. Sure, it could be the way you describe it.

My point is that we don't really know. You are speculating about one possible scenario -- note I say that it is possible. Why call people speculating on another possible -- not proved, but possible -- "conspiracy theorists"? Again, neither you nor I know what happened. Your own language includes "might," "Let's say," "could've." I'm not one of those saying "it's an absolute certainty that these were mercs/death squads," nor is everyone talking about Negroponte doing so in a categorical way. His involvement is an interesting detail that "could" have meaning.

And, as I've posted elsewhere, as long as we're speculating, wouldn't you think that a patrol expecting an ambassador to pass through "might" hold fire on a vehicle in case the ambassador was in THAT CAR?

Whether fuckup or targeting, the US is holding back information that could clarify what really happened. So people here will keep speculating, I think.

[Kagemusha]

34. Um, look this may not apply to you but...

I saw people saying that it was now official that this was a hit job by mercenaries because of the information in this article and people were now 100% sure it was a death squad. That's unjustified.

And I most certainly said in another post that the US is holding back information even if I'm correct.

And no, I would not think that they would hold back because THE CAR WITH THE AMBASSADOR IN IT WOULD HAVE THE **ACTUAL** MERCENARIES MOVING WITH HIM.

And THAT is why I don't think these people at a 'temporary checkpoint' would have been the mercs.

But hey, in all fairness, we'll see.

[ElectroPrincess]

86. OK, I tend to default to questioning the "cover story" ...

Why? Well, where should I begin? Oh yeah, how about the lies that led up to Vietnam, Gulf War I and Gulf War II? How about new information that's being revealed to us every day by foreign and independent news sources that, in particular, the Bush Administration has been the MOST secretive Executive Branch in History of the USA? How about the seemingly reincarnation of the Iran-Contra criminals?

No, you're right in the fact that I may be all too willing to believe that the American People are being misled.

However, my default position has significantly more credibility based on the past history of THIS Executive Branch's track record.

Guilty! But I'm willing to entertain any TRUISM (reputable sources) to the contrary. :-)

On Edit: The car with a high level officer will have trained Body Guards ... Mercenaries - perhaps interchangeable terms. However, a high level officer will also have his troops (mercenaries) posted throughout the checkpoints to ensure the average GI Joes don't f*ck up.

[TankLV]

139. "In all fairness" the bushco criminal administration ALWAYS HAS LIED -

ALWAYS.

They have been caught in Lie after Lie - and what everyone here has always poo-pooed as "wild conspiracy theories" has ALWAYS been proven true.

Based on their track record - it would be a sure bet to bet against anything bushco claims!

That is our main reason for my stance - and so far, all facts trickling out confirm our worst suspicions.

[anarchy1999]

33. How much longer must everyone in Iraq "suffer" from poor communications?

Sorry, your arguement doesn't hold very much water. I'm tired of "poor communications" excuse, myself. How about you?

And by the way, leave off with "conspiracy theorists" crap. Read up on Negroponte, or are you just a troll?

Sorry if I appear to be harsh.

[Kagemusha]

54. Sigh. Look... two things re: this thread.

#1: "Calling Will Pitt." Will's an old friend of mine. I'll not have him read this thread and mistakenly think this article supports the death squad theory for reasons I explained in other posts.

#2: Someone said the topic should be changed to the soldiers working **for** Negroponte, something totally unjustified by the content of the article.

#3: Added security assigned to Negroponte does not make them BODYGUARDS. If that's what the AP said then some reporter doesn't understand VIP protection in a war zone. That's an assumption that's simply too great a leap given the content of the article.

#4: If the troops we are discussing were regular forces, then the ACTUAL BODYGUARDS would have been traveling WITH Negroponte, and I mean the mercs/death squad types. They would have passed by the grunts and probably not even acknowledge their existence; all the guards would've made the ambassador's car very easily distinguishable so no, the 'well they might hit the ambassador' thing isn't gonna fly.

I don't know how you missed my saying that if it is a communications foul-up that that is still horrible, terrible, and being actively covered up for no good reason (and doing horrific damage to the US' relations with Italy). But uh no, just because Negroponte was the person involved does not guarantee this was a hit job. I don't blame you for thinking it, so please, enough with the troll bit!?!!

Edited to add a couple of things because I don't like people not reading my other responses before accusing me of being a bleeping troll.

[anarchy1999]

75. Don't call the "will pitt" card on us. Way out of line.

Calling on Will now. I somehow don't think he'll appreciate your calling him out on this issue on your behalf.

[natrat]

92. mellow out

most of what we hear from the military is a lie, kind of like sadam in a hole. Negaponte's squads would probably be disguised within the military. What gets me is why would they be so obvious given this killers reputation. What are they advertising? or just fucking stupid

[ElectroPrincess]

117. Perhaps a warning to other contrairé foreign Journalists in Iraq ...

This still serves as a "shot across the bow" to foreign Journalists that even when you're released, "your a** is ours" unless we deem otherwise. So perhaps you should watch the accusations within the content of your stories?" I know, I know unbelievable ... sort of like on a smaller (professional) scale Dan Rather was shot down in flames and his reputation trashed ... believe it or not I'd bet that Rove WANTS us all to know it.

Now that the Executive Branch controls the USA government, what is anybody gonna do about Bush Co. breaking the law (National or International)? That's right: Absolutely Nothing. Therefore, the more blatant the criminal act, given that it has the semblance of a legal cover story, the better! That's because these overt threats serve as an example and *strong warning* to OTHER left-wing journalists within Iraq who may be contemplating a story against our Dear Leader's Lieutenants a.k.a. The present Executive Branch of the USA.

[natrat]

128. and what better country to use; Italy's president will cover chimpy

[Media_Lies_Daily]

104. Maybe you should count to ten and then try to read your posts...

...as objectively as possible because you're definitely appearing to most of us as somebody that's defending Negroponte and the events that took place.

IMHO, and WADR, I don't think that's anyone's fault but yours.

[Mist]

59. I'm not inclined, myself, to believe in coincidences in bushworld n/t

[w4rma]

56. plausable deniability

means that Negroponte, or more likely someone for Negroponte acting on what they had determined were his wishes, sent these troops to patrol an area that they knew that the Italians would be traveling on, knowing that they had orders to shoot anything that came near them, and knowing that the Italians would be crossing their patrol path and therefore would come near them.

Plausable deniability. Folks like Negroponte know how to give orders and keep distance from those orders. Unaccountability is what Negroponte likes. Power without consequenses or responsibility.

[Kagemusha]

60. Now here's someone using his head.

Yes, I considered this a possibility too. I've said my reasons why I don't think the actual shooters were privately contracted bodyguards... but why do they have to have been?

And I repeat, even if this wasn't a catastrophic mistake, it's bad enough, and there's no absolute guarantee by any means that it was a mistake at all.

[TankLV]

138. They did not "appear SUDDENLY and WITHOUT warning" - they had already

stopped at and passed ALL the checkpoints.

There were hardly "unexpected".

[anarchy1999]

66. You could be very correct. The perfect set-up, little patsies, waiting

for an ambush, called out "unexpectedly" to guard a place in the sand in the dark. They never knew what they hit or what they were hit by.

I fully expect it to go down that way. Negroponte will fly as he has obviously done so far. Anyone surprised yet? I'm not anymore.

[TankLV]

140. I did hear on NPR that one of the first soldiers to reach the car after

the firing squad had completed it's barrage, had exclaimed something like "oh my god oh my god - what did we do - we're so sorry" when they found out their target.

This is getting curiouser and curiouser.

[chomskysright]

98. So again: why wasn't the driver killed but the person(s) in back seat?

[rooboy]

19. I guess in that case the Italian lady should be grateful...

that she wasn't tied up and dropped from a helicopter into the Euphrates.

[K8-EEE]

23. "Protecting" High-Ranking "Culture Of Life" Official...

GOP = Culture Of Death

[tom_paine]

26. Now it makes sense. They were part of the Imperial Bodyguard

assigned to the Ambassador of Death Squads.

They were there to kill.

[ElectroPrincess]

27. I must claim that 15-20 seconds of fire ... doesn't qualify as a burst

You can do some serious carnage with 15-20 seconds of off and on semi-automatic gunfire. The Journalist is IMHO honestly blessed by a high power to still be alive. Even if the negotiator covered her with his body, the odds were heavily stacked in Death's favor. The Italian Government knows this too, i.e., that she's so damn fortunate to be alive ... that the cell phone connection to the Italian Government was still intact after the shooting.

[Warren Stupidity]

163. have you seen the pictures of the car?

There was no 'hail of fire'. There were a few well placed shots fired into the passenger compartment, and it seems right into the front tire. This was a hit, end of story.

[anarchy1999]

29. What a couple of "puff" pieces of "journalism".

http://start.earthlink.net/article/int?guid=20050310/422fd450_3ca6_15526200503101366204086

snip to the end of above piece.

Though the U.S. and Italian versions of what happened March 4 do not match up, "I'm sure that in a very short time every aspect of this will be clarified," Berlusconi said.

The idea that Calipari was killed by friendly fire is painful to accept, the premier said. But he reassured lawmakers: "The United States has no intention of evading the truth."

Berlusconi is a staunch supporter of President Bush and the U.S.-led campaign and has been struggling to balance his decision to keep 3,000 troops in Iraq against heavy anti-war sentiment in Italy.


And the same report of this incident from the link in this post:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050310/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_italy_hostage&cid=540&ncid=1480

By PATRICK QUINN, Associated Press Writer

Berlusconi told lawmakers Wednesday that Calipari had informed an Italian liaison officer, waiting at the Baghdad airport along with an American officer, that he was heading there with a freed hostage. He said the car was traveling slowly and stopped immediately when a light was flashed at a checkpoint, before U.S. troops fired on the car.

The top U.S. general in Iraq has said he had no indication that Italian officials gave advance notice of the route the Italians' car was taking. In a statement released after the shooting, the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division, which controls Baghdad, said the vehicle was speeding and refused to stop.

The statement also said a U.S. patrol tried to warn a driver with hand and arm signals, by flashing white lights and firing shots in front of the car.

Though the U.S. and Italian versions of what happened March 4 do not match up, "I'm sure that in a very short time every aspect of this will be clarified," Berlusconi said.

The idea that Calipari was killed by friendly fire is painful to accept, the premier said. But he reassured lawmakers: "The United States has no intention of evading the truth."

Berlusconi is a staunch supporter of President Bush and the U.S.-led campaign and has been struggling to balance his decision to keep 3,000 troops in Iraq against heavy anti-war sentiment in Italy.


Who is feeding who information? And what is "the press, the media, etc" truly reporting? That which they are fed and told to report.

This is so sad.

Our "free press", our fourth estate, is dead.

[Edgewater_Joe]

35. AP: Sgrena's Shooters Were Negroponte Bodyguards

BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. troops who mistakenly killed an Italian intelligence agent last week on the road to Baghdad's airport were part of extra security provided by the U.S. Army to protect U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte, a U.S. official said Thursday.

... "The mobile patrol was there to enhance security because Ambassador Negroponte was expected through," U.S. Embassy spokesman Robert Callahan said, confirming reports in Italian media. The newspaper La Repubblica reported Wednesday that the checkpoint had been "set up to protect the passage of Ambassador Negroponte."

It was not known if Negroponte, who was nominated last month by President Bush to be the new director of national intelligence, had already passed through the checkpoint.

The whole story here: http://start.earthlink.net/article/int?guid=20050310/422fd450_3ca6_15526200503101366204086

Curiouser and curiouser, no?

[Name removed]

36. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bloom]

45. Too bad the title of the other one is so vague

you wouldn't know what it was talking about.

[Coventina]

37. Holy crap!

:scared:

This is our intelligence czar at work?

Hello KGB style disappearances on American soil!!!

We REALLY have to start watching out for each other.

[katinmn]

38. Gee, maybe Bush's top diplomat in Iraq is a hitman.

Anything's possible with these evil, demented peoplle.

[Straight Shooter]

39. Oh, Lord. Why am I not surprised.

Job description: "Bodyguard for death squad mastermind."
Job requirement: "Must possess itchy trigger finger."

Are you starting to get really really pi**sed, Sylvio? Shall we stamp "WELCOME" on your back and you can lie down on bush's front porch in Crawford?

[joeybee12]

40. Yeah, and this shows that the Italians are doing the digging, and the

US is covering up--we had to confirm what was reported in the Italian media--something we should have been able to announce right at the start, execpt, of course, when you want to cover up as much as possible.

[Julius Civitatus]

41. Surprise, Surprise, Surprise...

So they were the personal bodyguards of a notorious thug with a massive collection of crimes against humanity.

Nothing to see here. Move along...

[ElectroPrincess]

42. That is a profound discovery ...

Now I know that our corporate media in the USA is neutered, but IF this is given a full analysis in Italy, they just may whip up the people into forcing their troops out of Iraq.

Oh man, fighting myself not to put on the "tin foil hat" but HOT DAMN, this can explain a lot of loose ends. I wonder if this would have played out differently if there were not any *open* cell lines to the Italian government after that 15 second burst of shooting?

What do you think folks?

Time will tell.

[fertilizeonarbusto]

43. Drip, drip, drip

And the administration is screwed now. This is not the lapdog US media doing the investigating now. Wouldn't it be something if our Woodward and Bernstein were foreign?

[bloom]

44. Most Americans won't get the story anyway.... eom

[ElectroPrincess]

119. You know fertilizeonarbusto, this could be the *break* that brings down...

BushCo. or at least shortens this illegal occupation of Iraq. If (let us hope and pray), the Italian people MAKE the PM pull their troops out of Iraq, the so called "coalition" will be in "a world of sh*t" to keep minimal forces on station. This could at least speed up the education of the sheeple.

I sure hope so ... please let justice be served because it's a long time coming ... this criminal Administration is oh so deserving of a genuine dose reality re-orientation. :grr:

[anarchy1999]

123. I'm tired of the drips, and I don't believe this one will go any further

than all the rest. Sorry for the cynicism. I'm just through. The peoples of the US get what they want and it is coming.

[July]

46. If Negroponte "was expected through,"

wouldn't any patrol be HESITANT TO OPEN FIRE -- you know, so as not to hit the ambassador?

Smell test: flunked.

[anarchy1999]

78. Well now, there is a question to be asked? Good job.

Why isn't anyone asking the same question. The excuses aren't flying!

[Stunster]

47. You mean, John "Death Squad" Negroponte--that Negroponte?

Remember, John "Death Squad" Negroponte was complicit with death squad
activity when he was stationed in Central America, as has been well
documented....

Also, anybody think it odd that all these beheaded and bullet-ridden
bodies that are being found in Iraq suddenly jumped in numbers after
Negroponte went there? Like, it couldn't possibly be the case that
Negroponte advised Allawi & Co. to adopt the Central American
'solution' to the insurgency....?

[gratuitous]

49. Bullet-riddled corpses just seem to turn up around him, don't they?

Hard to understand why. Except, of course, for his bloodthirsty nature and willingness to turn a blind eye to atrocities that benefit him personally.

"Do you renounce Satan and all his works?"

"I do renounce them."

[anarchy1999]

69. We've not been surprised at all. When we knew Negroponte was the

new Ambassador, we knew what was coming next.

Tigers don't change their stripes.

These people are a cancer on our nation and if we don't stand up to them soon we are going to lose this country.

Everyone please, go back and read some of your history. Everyone convicted of crimes against this nation during the Iran Contra hearings are now running this administration and this country straight into the ground.

[lyonn]

112. It is called musical chairs

Only difference is these are old has-beens being recycled instead of kids. People that never got to the top until deadbrain G.W. got control of our govt. and annointed them. The Congress is a pitiful, unthinking bunch of has-beens also, perpetuating this disaster, and that includes some of our dems. This truly is like a bad dream. What do we hear all day today on the news? M. Jackson. Unbelievable. People are dying by the bunches in Iraq, the pipelines are bombed daily, and we hear 15 second bleeps occasionally about the deaths when they are atrocious. Sorry for the rant, I feel like a trapped rat and need to vent.

[anarchy1999]

120. I'm sorry you feel the way you do. We've been here a while. Welcome.

Yes, all we hear all day is Michael and Martha, 24/7, it does have a way a getting you down if that is your only input. Thus I give you a welcome to DU. The best place on the net for Latest Breaking News and Editorials. You have to spend some time here to learn who to pay attention to on General Discussion and well what can I say about the "lounge", it is a Free for All. Except there are now some rules.

Don't ever let yourself feel trapped, that is when "they" win.

And who is to say who "they" might be.

I was in downtown Dallas last night giving the grand tour of the Kennedy assasination site. Dealey Plaza. It never ceases to amaze and to awe me, whenever I go there.

"The day the music died"

[AlCzervik]

48. Why am i not surprised by this?

keep repeating the same things over and over again and you get the same results.

[Name removed]

50. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bridget Burke]

51. Yes, bodyguards protect....

Other "security" operations require more pro-active methods.

[ElectroPrincess]

63. Really, give me your source please? I don't think so.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

109. Right. Whatever you say.

[KoKo]

52. Supposedly "Senior Officials" like Negroponte travel by helicopter....

This snip from the article is interesting. And, raises even more questions. The destinction made between Senior Officials and just Officials by the writer. One does wonder why Negroponte would be traveling at night on a road that is so dangerous. :shrug:

Senior U.S. officials such as the ambassador, who is by far seen as the most important American in Iraq (news - web sites), normally travel by helicopter to avoid roadside bombs and insurgent attacks along the airport road, which are frequent. But U.S. officials in Iraq often vary travel routes and methods so as not to be predictable.

[hedda_foil]

53. Look at this!

Berlusconi told lawmakers Wednesday that Calipari had informed an Italian liaison officer, waiting at the Baghdad airport along with an American officer, that he was heading there with a freed hostage.

Wouldn't the point people coordinating communication on this (ie. the Italian liasion officer and the American officer waiting at the airport) be officers of their respective EMBASSIES rather than military officers? If that's the case, as is customary, then the American officer would have given the information to the US embassy to clear the way for the hostage's car. And the US ambassador is .... ???

[anarchy1999]

57. Negroponte? Okay too much tin foil around here, we need to clean it up.

Nice to see you Hedda.

[lyonn]

111. Does anyone over there know what's going on?

It is obvious that the chain of command/communications are pitiful. What kind of an operation are we running over there? The road to the airport is notoriously dangerous but necessary, so, what's with the sorry security in that area? Our administration/pentagon are a miserable failure, period. Otherwise known as lack of leadership and smarts.

[oasis]

80. "Would you believe, we thought it was Osama driving?"Agent Maxwell Smart

:eyes:

[lyonn]

113. Gawd, I had to lighten up on this one

Thank you

[Zerex71]

133. Just in case anyone still has any doubts

400 rounds is a hit, not an accident.

[Barrett808]

55. Read Sgrena's account again and the death-squad theory is plausible

In an interview with Sky Italia, Sgrena described what happened:

We were on our way to the airport, and we thought we were finally safe, because the area where we were was under the control of the United States. We therefore thought we had escaped the gravest area and entered into a more friendly area, although I was still nervous as my hostage takers had warned me to be careful, because it was the Americans who did not want me to be free and returned to Italy alive. I just took that as a last threat from my hostage takers and did not really take it seriously. But then suddenly we found ourselves under an immense amount of bullets, something terrible, without any warning, and we realized that nearby there was an American tank which was shooting at us.

The U.S. military has a different story. They say the car was speeding as it approached a checkpoint. In a statement, the military claims soldiers first tried to warn the driver to stop by "hand and arm signals, flashing white lights and firing warning shots in front of the car."

In an interview with Italian channel La 7, Giuliana Sgrena disputed the military's account, stating that there was no bright light, no signal – and that the car was traveling at regular speed. She also told SKY TG24 that a ransom was paid for her release and it was possible that she was deliberately targeted by U.S. forces. She said: "The fact that the Americans don't want negotiations to free hostages is known. The fact that they do everything to prevent the adoption of this practice to save the lives of people held hostage, everybody knows that. So I don't see why I should rule out that I could have been a target."

(more)

http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/21437/

Sounds like an ambush to me.

[Roland99]

58. That'll show them commies!

[reality based]

62. Curfew

The article reports the shooting occurred 2 hours before the 11PM Baghdad curfew on civilian vehicles. That seems to contradict some posts last weekend blaming the Italians for violating the curfew. Its going to be interesting to see how the sharply divergent accounts are going to be resolved. Berlusconi's government is having to play pretty hard because of public outrage. The Italians seem adamant that their agents behaved properly and professionally. I wonder if they have tapes of the cell phone conversations that may have been taking place at the time of the incident? Will Bush let Berlusconi save face? Or will he care?

[Kagemusha]

64. I don't think that there's any question that this shooting was

either some really trigger happy "protection" or, worst case, that it really was ordered. But, in all fairness... in this world, a lot of bad things happen without having been ordered. The curfew argument's as full of holes as the car they shot up, unfortunately.

It's just not implausible in itself that troops were extra trigger happy because they didn't want to take any chances and be the ones who risked the life of the UN ambassador and soon to be national director of intelligence.

[ElectroPrincess]

68. "Will Bush let Berlusconi save face? Or will he care?"

Those are excellent questions. How 'bout we ask Tony Blair?

Woof! "George Bush is my master." Woof! Woof!



Hey, after the kind and thoughtful ways that * has reciprocated toward the Brit. PM Tony Blair, I'm sure Burlusconi has nothing to worry about. :eyes:

On Edit:

#64 Do you have any idea what "an eternity" that 15-20 seconds of automatic fire can be? If overzealous itchy-fingered protection, there was NO command and control. That's amazing and if so, it's a wonder that there's any survivors.

[goodboy]

65. Were these mercenaries? (nm)

[confludemocrat]

82. They were for the previous viceroy weren't they? n/t

[goodboy]

116. I suppose so...It would make sense that they would let the mercenaries

try to ice this journalist...you know the UCMJ doesn't apply to them.

[bklyncowgirl]

73. I've been resisting the tinfoil but this is making me second guess

The questions I want answered are:

1. Were these ordinary troops on temporary detatchment to Negroponte or are the part of a "special" unit or even "Private Contractors" who work for the Ambassador.

2. Why weren't these troops in the loop about the Italian secret service operation?


The US government has to start answering questions and stop stonewalling.

[NNN0LHI]

85. "The US government has to start answering questions and stop stonewalling"

The US government will do no such thing. What is Silvio going to do if this was not a terrible mistake? He will do nothing. Accept maybe keep his mouth shut. The US has had an occupation force in Italy since WW II. I don't think they are there to keep Soviet tanks from rolling in.

Don

http://www.kelebekler.com/occ/bas_gb.htm

Italy
Aviano Administration Annex Group, Aviano, US Air Force
Aviano Air Base, Roveredo In Piano, US Air Force
Aviano Ammunition Storage Annex, Roveredo In Piano, US Air Force
Aviano Bachelor Hsg Annex No 2, Aviano, US Air Force
Aviano Bachelor Hsg Annex, Aviano, US Air Force
Aviano Family Hsg Annex, Aviano, US Air Force
Aviano Maintenance Annex, Aviano, US Air Force
Aviano Storage Annex, Aviano, US Air Force
Camp Darby, US Army
Camp Ederle, Vicenza, US Army
Coltano Troposcatter Site, US Army
Comiso Family Hsg Site, Comiso, US Air Force
Dal Molin Airfield, Vicenza, US Army
Livorno, US Army
Livorno Supply & Maint Area, 409 US Army
Livorno Training Area, US Army
Longare Comm Site, Vicenza, US Army
Sigonella, Sigonella, US Navy
NAVHOSP Naples, Neapel, US Navy
NAVSUPPACT Maddalena, La Maddalena, US Navy
NAVSUPPACT Naples, Neapel, US Navy
NCTAMS Eurcent Naples, Neapel, US Navy
Pisa Ammo Stor Area, Pisa, US Army
San Vito Dei Normanni Air Station, Brindisi, US Air Force
Vicenza, Vicenza, US Army
Vicenza Basic Load Stor Area, Vicenza, US Army
Vicenza Fam Hsg, Vicenza, US Army
Vigonovo Storage Annex, Vigonovo, US Air Force
23 Installations, no further details

[Jose Diablo]

79. With Negroponte as new 'national intelligence' director

I guess we can expect his 'body guards' to be from places like Chile, El Salvador and Nicaragua.

The death squads are coming here next. Probably be a headquarter in each major city.

Tinfoil hat? I don't think so.

[natrat]

83. all i can say is OMFG OMFG

it's started

[anarchy1999]

94. I wonder if we started saying NWIH as opposed to OMFG

we would get ahead? No Way In Hell! Just wondering?

[natrat]

95. these idiots cant even pull off a killing without screwing it up

unless of course they intended to be caught

[reality based]

84. Has anyone seen a map

depicting where this took place? The Italians say it was on a curve in the road 600 meters from the airport. The road from Baghdad to the airport looks pretty straight until you reach the airport itself. Of course, I don't know where on the ground the airport is considered to begin.

[Nothing Without Hope]

87. OH. MY. GOD. A direct link to Mr Iran-Contra Death Squads himself.

Surely he wouldn't use people so easily connected with him to make the hit? Or would he? He must be feeling that he can get away with absolutely anything and never be held accountable for it. Then again, why not? With the lack of oversight of his secret goons and the backing of all three branches of the US Government and the suppression of the US free press, WHY THE HELL NOT?

If they were working for NEROponte, they were not your average soldiers.

[anarchy1999]

93. Well, let's see haven't they all been gettin away with everything so far?

Let's just call it what it is: BRAZEN ABUSE OF POWER AND CONTROL! Democracy my %s#s. Not anymore, we don't live in one. Just look at what "our" representatives have done for us this week with the "bankruptcy bill".

I just can't wait for the SS Reform coming down the pike.

[natrat]

96. no doubt ---bought and paid for-Harold Ford et al.= swine

[ElectroPrincess]

126. Unfortunately, greed and moral relativism ...

are NOT the exclusive domain of the republican party, i.e., far too many of OUR democratic Representatives *crave* power, money and influence above all else. With a few brave and valued exceptions, I have no recognition of what our Democratic Representatives in D.C. truly stand for? One thing I'm figuring out quickly is that they are NOT standing-up of OUR interests and/or wellbeing (working and middle class Americans). :shrug:

[Julius Civitatus]

108. Bingo. They are that brazen.

They've been able to get away with ANYTHING in Iraq for two years. Why wouldn't they feel brazen enough to get rid of a lefty journalist that was spilling the beans on more than one uncomfortable issue?

[goodhue]

88. figures

Negroponte and death squads fit together like hand and glove.

[daleo]

97. Could it be more obvious that this was a death squad hit?

I know there will still be plenty out there who wouldn't accept a sworn confession by Negroponte and his death squad themselves, though.

[bullimiami]

99. probably just another lie

to toss onto the pile of other lies. all designed to confuse and overwhelm so you cant make out lies from truth or insanity from reality.

[chomskysright]

100. sent to ALJAZEERA & Sgrena's paper:[e-mail]

[fob]

101. That's all I need to know about that particular story.

neCroponte is as neCroponte does

[reality based]

106. Unintended consequences?

From http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/story.jsp?story=618446

Any Italians rash enough to go walkabout in Iraq are now on their own, prime minister Silvio Berlusconi told the Senate yesterday, in his first official pronouncement on the killing of Nicola Calipari last Friday.

"The Italian government is in a position to guarantee the security only of those...who operate in close co-operation and under the protection of our military contingent," he said. "It is not possible to do so for those who venture, even for the most noble and sincere reasons, in other regions of Iraq where the presence of terrorists is still high and where the risk of attacks and abductions is greater."

It was a guarded statement, but it signalled a clear change of policy. Since the abduction of four Italian security guards last year, one of whom was murdered but three of whom were later released unharmed, Italy has pursued the bold and lonely strategy of negotiating with hostages and paying them huge ransoms.

A policy conducted personally by Berlusconi and his close adviser Gianni Letta working directly with military intelligence, it has paid dividends in terms of personal popularity for the prime minister.

[Julius Civitatus]

110. How conveeeeenient!

x(

[daleo]

114. Get the message?

"The Italian government is in a position to guarantee the security only of those...who operate in close co-operation and under the protection of our military contingent," he said.

Clearly, he can't guarantee the safety of Italians even then (if Italy is an ally, then the protection of allied (U.S.) forces should be equivalent to the protection of Italian forces). So, no snooping in Iraq, you nasty free-thinking journalists.

If Negroponte's purpose was to silence journalists, a celebrated misfire like this is as good as a perfect hit. Maybe better - it sends the message that his death squads can operate with total impunity, even if eye witnesses survive.

[nolabels]

122. That seems to be the story

If you are not with us and kowtowing to all of the U.S. war dept wishes then you are in harms way.

If this is not a gangster mentality then what is?

[anarchy1999]

124. I end it all for myself in this thread with just one name, NEGROPONTE!

Learn to love it, look it up on google, see if you can sleep at night,
I know I have a tough time of it. But then occasionially, I take that constitution to heart, you know where it says "we the people".....

Take Negroponte and then google Iran-Contra if you care. The names involved then and convicted of crimes against this country that are now in this administration should move you to do something.

At the very least get very inebriated. It helps the pain to go away.

[ElectroPrincess]

127. Cheers anarchy1999, let's stay strong dear progressives but

be advised we may have to hunker down for a long cold winter.

;) :toast:

[anarchy1999]

131. Yes, we are stocking up for a long cold winter through this summer.

What fun. We're taking a vacation at the end of May to see Mr anarchy's m & d and then we are home for the summer. Stock up everyone, it is going to get tough. Promise.

[0007]

125. kick

:kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick:

[Disturbed]

129. I still dont understand this story.

Correct me if I am incorrect, please. In order for a car to get 700 meters from the airport it would have had to get through other checkpoints, maybe six or seven others, meaning the car was cleared for entry many times. Why would the car be fired on when it has been cleared so many times before?

[natrat]

130. caveman making point-kill singing bird

[0007]

132. Perhaps there were failures along the way, bad timing, too many

witnesses? Then at the last chance for success, the cell phones were taken down and the attempt was made.

Was John Negroponte being well informed of what was going down? I think so!

Who knows..... :shrug:

[DuaneBidoux]

134. What? Italians? Negroponte? What's the state with Michael Jackson's case?

America has moved ON to serious stuff. While we take for granted our bought and bribed Italian allies their poor government is dealing with a windfall of bad press. Might explain latest Italian polls showing 70% of Italians want to pull their troops out of Iraq NOW!

"Who the fuck are the Italians anyway?" (pan to picture of average Republican no-nothing justifying the incoming news on Fox that the Italians are pulling out of Iraq).

[redacted]

135. Mike Malloy says Negroponte ORDERED this hit

Tune in to Air America Radio right now (11 PM ET) for new details and his analysis.

KICK

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

136. Not a checkpoint

Doesn;t that mean the military's first story -- that they were shot at a checkpoint, was false?

[daleo]

141. It wasn't a literal checkpoint.

More of a symbolic checkpoint.
Or a metaphorical checkpoint.
Perhaps metaphysical, located in the realm of the forms and essences.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

142. The military now calls it a "tactical" or "temporary" check point

Which basically means that they could argue that any soldier going anywhere in Iraq can call the immediate area around her/his body a temporary check point.

What I want to know is whether these Special Ops working for Negroponte had ever even manned a checkpoint? Why would Negroponte require a special temporary checkpoint? My gut feeling is that these individuals were not even intended to establish a checkpoint, but instead to patrol the general area along the road. Did they have any communication with regular troops, or only with their own superiors, who are attached to Negroponte? This looks like it could possibly be gross negligence for even having those kinds of troops in the area.

[ElectroPrincess]

143. But unlike before, we now live in post 911 Bush-World where

"gross negligence" is sure to score any loyal senior Executive Branch Appointment The Medal of Freedom at the end of his/her tenure. :crazy:

[magellan]

144. Why the delay with this information??

Why'd it take FOUR DAYS to figure out this so-called "patrol" was part of the security detail for Negroponte? He's only the Director of National Intelligence for crap's sake.

C'mon, BushCo, it's been four long years. Give the "Gee whiz, we didn't know" excuse a rest.

[Moderator]

145. kick to combine

[pnorman]

146. Negroponte's Guards Shot Italian Agent

Negroponte's Guards Shot Italian Agent
The Associated Press

Thursday 10 March 2005

Baghdad - The temporary road checkpoint where American troops mistakenly killed an Italian intelligence agent last week was set up to provide extra security for U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte, a U.S. Embassy official said Thursday.

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, meanwhile, assured his Italian counterpart that the inquiry into the death of Nicola Calipari would clearly determine what happened, Italy's government said.

Calipari died Friday when troops at the checkpoint fired at an approaching car that was carrying Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena, who had just been freed by Iraqi kidnappers.

"The mobile patrol was there to enhance security because Ambassador Negroponte was expected through," embassy spokesman Robert Callahan said, confirming a report that first appeared in the Italian newspaper La Repubblica.
>
>
>
Berlusconi told Italian lawmakers that Calipari had informed an Italian liaison officer, waiting at the Baghdad airport along with an American officer, that he was heading there with a freed hostage.

Berlusconi also said the car was traveling slowly and stopped immediately when a light was flashed at a checkpoint, before U.S. troops fired on the car.
>
>
>
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/031105Z.shtml

[Fridays Child]

147. A little more blood on Negroponte's hands. n/t

[dpbrown]

148. Mr. Deathsquad Strikes Again

How do these misanthropic sociopaths continue to hold on to power?

[Kagemusha]

149. Extra security does not autoamtically mean guards in THAT sense.

The AP's really making life hard with this. ugh.

They're saying TROOPS at the checkpoint, not mercenaries. Please know the difference, though I'm too tired to explain it again today.

Troops as in uniformed armed service members subject to the US code of military justice.

[Warren Stupidity]

151. technically they are 'privateers' not 'mercenaries'.

Unless they are foreigners. If they are us nationals employed by the us government then they are privateers. if they are us nationals employed by the iraqi government then they are mercenaries. Not that it really matters.

I'd like to know exactly who the shooters are. Are they special forces? Regular army, part of the 3ID? Contracted mercenaries? How many shots were fired? Was the car stopped when it was shot? What sort of weapons were used? What was the position of the shooter(s) with respect to the vehicle?

Would all of the folks here and on AAR and elsewhere who have been dissing us 'conspiracy nuts' like to apologize now? Or are you all still in total denial?

[DulceDecorum]

153. Privateers have been active in America from the beginning

http://www.nps.gov/revwar/about_the_revolution/privateers.html
http://www.usmm.org/revolution.html

And the Jolly Roger flag
(skull and crossbones)
still adorns the US and UK conscripts,
ships,
aircraft
and submarines.

http://www.rnsubmus.co.uk/photodp/jrships.htm

[ElectroPrincess]

155. Yeah, technically Bush is calling the shots for the USA too /eom

[0007]

150. Looking at Negroponte's & Rumsfeld's tract record I'd say Italy

would be best to tell junior to shove it and pull the Italians troops out of Iraq and chalk it up to a good learning experience from a nation that's hard up for veracity & authenticity.

[DELUSIONAL]

152. Yes -- what 0007 wrote -- short and right on target.

[bemildred]

154. It was a botched hit on Ms Sgrena.

Where's the car?
And the cell phones?
And the troops/mercenaries involved?
Let's see the evidence.

[Warren Stupidity]

164. or they got the intended target.

[NNN0LHI]

156. I still want to know if this was Negroponte's "personal" security guards?

Or were they just some regular grunts called out to do a job that night? That question never seems to get asked, much less answered.

Don

[Lerkfish]

167. I tend to doubt they were regular army...

but I"m curious why you want that answered?
Is there a point you're going to make either way?

why don't you go ahead and make your point for either eventuality?

[RoeBear]

174. Might as well make the point

everybody is doing it without any proof anyways.

[Pachamama]

157. Looks like Neggroponte is going to make a great Nat'l Intelligence Dir.!

Wow! Off to a good start, eh? Can't even get the intelligence right there and ends up shooting first, asking questions later...kills a foreign intelligence officer of their biggest ally in the war on Irag and starts an international uproar....

Yaeh, I feel safer already knowing he'll be heading up our Nat'l Intelligence... :scared:

Wonder how many others have and will die that way because of Negroponte?

[Name removed]

158. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[newyawker99]

161. Hi RootsMan!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Warren Stupidity]

165. the obvious coverup and manifest bullshit

is simply being ignored.

All the media - including our own 'progressive' AAR has pronounced this an 'unfortunate accident'. They are finished with the story. It is right next to man-whore in the do not touch information freezer.

[Eloriel]

159. This wounds me to the core

On the one hand I'm grateful that we've gotten thru to this much of the truth; on the other, I nearly burst out in tears to just read the headline. My God, what have we become? (I know, after all this time I shouldn't be surprised -- but some days I still am. There are still some things that catch me by surprise. Not to mention: every damn day, another outrage.)

[bloom]

160. This does seem to show a new level of brazenness.

Another article said that Negroponte was already through - getting there around 7:30.

So there was no "reason" for this group to still be there. (If that is what the US is now going to try to claim).

Or maybe the new spin will be they had to keep everyone from the Airport while Negroponte was around. :shrug:


What a mess. What an outrage.

[NYC]

162. Perhaps until Negroponte's meeting with Casey ended.

Perhaps Negroponte was going to travel the same route back. I have no idea. It doesn't really matter. If it sounds plausible, we'll hear it as the excuse.

It's my understanding that Negroponte passed through at 7:30 p.m., and Sgrena & companions were shot around 9 p.m.

[reality based]

172. Does this mean that Negroponte was at the airport

at the time of the shooting? 700 meters away. The same airport where an Italian airplane was awaiting the arrival of Calipari and where American officials had been told that he would be returning with someone without papers. What did Negroponte know and when did he know it?

[NYC]

173. "Near" the airport was what I read.

I have no idea how near. We ought to know. Where and when.

I agree that your question should be answered. What did Negroponte know, and when did he know it?

[reality based]

166. CNN: Negroponte was expected to pass through later

"Earlier Tuesday, a senior U.S. official said the checkpoint where Calipari was killed had been set up for the passage of the U.S. ambassador to Iraq on the road to the Baghdad airport.

"Ambassador John Negroponte had been expected to pass the Baghdad-area checkpoint a short time later, the official said."http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/03/08/italy.sgrena/

Do we have another contradiction? Do you have the cite for the article that said that he had already passed?

[Lerkfish]

168. yes, but WHOSE contradiction is it?

I'll give you 3 guesses, and the first two don't count.

:)

[reality based]

171. Trying to understand

the circumstances of Negroponte's trip to the airport. I've seen references to a meeting with General Casey at the airport that day. I haven't been able to read the article because I'm not a member of the site. Why would he go to the airport for such a meeting when they have offices next to each other downtown?
"Negroponte has had far closer relations with Army Gen. George W. Casey, who is in charge of the 170,000 multinational troops under U.S. command in Iraq, including more than 150,000 U.S. forces. Negroponte and Casey have adjoining offices in the Embassy annex -- formerly Saddam Hussein's palace -- and the two are said to meet or talk frequently during the day." http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05051/459715.stm
I realize there may be a number of reasons, but inquiring minds would like to know.

[bloom]

175. Here are a couple stories - The Turkish one sounds more thorough...

US dinner behind extra Baghdad security that led to Italian agent's death

Published: 3/11/2005

 Latest wire from AFP

BAGHDAD - Temporary checkpoints were set up on Baghdad's airport road the night Italian agent Nicola Calipari was killed because the US ambassador in Iraq was travelling there for dinner, an embassy official said Friday.

"He was going to have dinner with General Casey at Camp Victory at his quarters at 7:30 pm (1630 GMT) and there was a hailstorm," embassy spokesman Bob Callahan told reporters.

The spokesman was referring to an appointment at a US base at the airport between outgoing ambassador John Negroponte and the commander of US ground troops, General George Casey.

"Normally he would go there by helicopter, but the helicopter could not take him there, so he was taken out by a motorcade and got to General Casey's around 8:00 o'clock (1700 GMT) that evening," added Callahan. <more>

http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=38449

...U.S. soldiers killed intelligence agent Nicola Calipari on the road to Baghdad airport on Friday night as he threw his body over freed Italian hostage Giuliana Sgrena to protect her from a hail of bullets. She was wounded.

Callahan said Negroponte usually traveled to the airport by helicopter but a hailstorm forced him to go by motorcade.

"The ambassador traveled past the checkpoint at about 7:30 that night and I believe the shooting took place later," he said....

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=571544

[Blue_Tires]

169. were any mercs involved?? like blackwater?

[lovuian]

170. Theres a Nostradamus prediction concerning NegroPonte

and its not good so you can understand why he has extra security!!!

[Julius Civitatus]

177. And it's very creepy too...

Check it out:

Nostradamus Prophecies:

Quatrain 2.21 and Quatrain 2.3

http://www.newprophecy.net/now3.htm

http://nostradamus.freehomepages.com/CenturyII.htm

They mention him by name, Negroponte, and they specify he's an ambassador.

Creepy.

[Paul Hood]

176. Maybe they mistook her for a nun. eom