VOA标准英语2010-Leaked Video Shows US Attack in Iraq that

Gabe Joselow | Washington 06 April 2010

 
Apache helicopter's gun video showing the Reuters news photographer and his driver, among other men

A classified military video showing a U.S. attack in Baghdad three years ago has been posted on the Web.  The group that released the video - WikiLeaks - says the attack killed a Reuters news photographer and his driver. WikiLeaks.org obtained the video from an unidentified member of the military.  The graphic¹ video has re-ignited the debate over how to protect civilians² and reporters in the thick of war. VOA's Gabe Joselow has more.

Two Apache helicopters circle over a group of men walking in Baghdad in July 2007. They've been called in to assist US ground troops.  A helicopter gunner asks for permission to fire.

"Hotel two-six, Crazy Horse one-eight.  Have five to six individuals with AK 47s.  Request permission to engage."

The U.S. soldiers say the men are carrying weapons. They receive permission and open fire on the group.  

"Let Me know when you've got them."
"Let's Shoot"
"Light em all up"
"Come on fire"

In the incident, 12 people were killed. 

Wikileaks, the  group that posted the video, has identified two of the men as a Reuters news photographer and his driver.  

The U.S. military has confirmed the authenticity³ of the video but not the identity of the two men.   

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, commenting on the video, was vague.

"Obviously it is very graphic in nature, and it's extremely tragic," said Robert Gibbs.

The video has revived a debate over rules of engagement in wartime and how to protect noncombatants.

An earlier U.S. military report said American forces acted appropriately, because they thought the group was a threat. 

The military has also said machine guns and grenades were found near the site. But some officials have said the soldiers mistook a camera for a weapon. 

The incident occurred at the height of the insurgency⁴ during the US military surge.    

Defense⁵ analyst⁶ Michael O'Hanlon is with the Brookings Institution in Washington:

"You had friends and enemies everywhere on the battlefield, and so that, for the most part, meant that if you got into trouble as a westerner you had potential help not too far away," said Michael O'Hanlon. "That was reassuring⁷, but it also meant that if you were unidentified you had potential friendly fire not too far away at a moment's notice."

Iraq's Journalist Syndicate says the incident shows the violence that civilians have suffered during the war.

"This latest crime can be added to the list of crimes committed by U.S. troops against Iraqi journalists and Iraqi civilians," said Muyad al-Lami. "There are U.S. troops who are incredibly crass⁸ and cruel in their treatment of citizens and journalists as well."

Reuter's editor-in-chief called the incident "emblematic⁹" of the extreme danger encountered by journalists when they cover wars. The news agency has pressed the U.S. military to conduct a full investigation¹⁰.
 

1 graphic   

adj.生动的，形象的，绘画的，文字的，图表的

参考例句：

• The book gave a graphic description of the war.这本书生动地描述了战争的情况。
• Distinguish important text items in lists with graphic icons.用图标来区分重要的文本项。

2 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

3 authenticity   

n.真实性

参考例句：

• There has been some debate over the authenticity of his will. 对于他的遗嘱的真实性一直有争论。
• The museum is seeking an expert opinion on the authenticity of the painting. 博物馆在请专家鉴定那幅画的真伪。

4 insurgency   

n.起义；暴动；叛变

参考例句：

• And as in China, unrest and even insurgency are widespread. 而在中国，动乱甚至暴乱都普遍存在。 来自互联网
• Dr Zyphur is part an insurgency against this idea. 塞弗博士是这一观点逆流的一部分。 来自互联网

5 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

6 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

7 reassuring   

a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的

参考例句：

• He gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. 他轻拍了一下她的肩膀让她放心。
• With a reassuring pat on her arm, he left. 他鼓励地拍了拍她的手臂就离开了。

8 crass   

adj.愚钝的，粗糙的；彻底的

参考例句：

• The government has behaved with crass insensitivity.该政府行事愚蠢而且麻木不仁。
• I didn't want any part of this silly reception,It was all so crass.我完全不想参加这个无聊的欢迎会，它实在太糟糕了。

9 emblematic   

adj.象征的，可当标志的；象征性

参考例句：

• The violence is emblematic of what is happening in our inner cities. 这种暴力行为正标示了我们市中心贫民区的状况。
• Whiteness is emblematic of purity. 白色是纯洁的象征。 来自辞典例句

10 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。