WASHINGTON
– Sen. Chuck Grassley today sent a letter to the Secretary of the Army requesting answers about the deaths of civilian contractors, including an Iowan, who were driving trucks in a convoy in Iraq.
According to media reports the civilians were shot by insurgents after their vehicles were disabled and their military escort abandoned them. Grassley has asked the Army to let him know who was involved, why this happened and what procedures will be put in place to assure an incident like this does not happen again.
“The United States military is trained to protect Americans and come to their aid when needed and I was appalled to hear that that some soldiers may have abandoned a convoy of private contractor trucks that those soldiers were supposed to be protecting. I have already contacted the Army to get to the bottom of this. The families of the murdered contractors deserve honest answers and the reassurance that others will not face a similar tragedy,” Grassley said.
Here is a copy of the letter Senator Grassley sent the Secretary of the Army.
September 28, 2006
The Honorable Francis J. Harvey
Secretary of the Army
101 Army Pentagon
Washington
, D.C. 20310-0101
Dear Secretary Harvey,
According to recent media reports, civilian contractors driving trucks in a convoy in Iraq, including an Iowan, were shot at point blank range by insurgents after their vehicles were disabled and their military escort abandoned them. I am appalled by the fact that this could happen and I request a thorough investigation into this incident.
Specifically, I want to know which military personnel were involved, what military protocols, if any, were violated, and if so, what disciplinary action was taken against the soldiers involved. In addition, what procedures have been or will be put in place to make sure an incident like this never happens again? The families of the murdered contractors deserve justice and reassurance that other families will not face a similar tragedy.
I ask that you respond to my inquiry by Friday, October 6, 2006. Thank you for your attention to my request.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Grassley
United States Senator