US and history of war crimes

Mano Ratwatte

US troops were heavily involved in the war in the Korean Peninsula in the 1950s. It was only during President Bill Clinton’s administration, that the US finally admitted over 300 Korean Civilians were massacred by the predominantly White Christian US armed forces at a bridge named No Gun Ri in 1950.

In another incident, in August 1950, and six weeks into the Korean War, a U.S. General and other Army officers ordered the destruction of two strategic bridges as South Korean refugees streamed across, killing hundreds of civilians, according to ex-GIs, Korean eyewitnesses and U.S. military documents (sourced from internet sites).

The US took so long to admit this shameful crime against humanity. Later stories from the Vietnam war abound and follow a similar pattern.

Nebraska Democratic US Senator Bob Kerrey (now retired) admitted killing nearly 25 innocent Vietnamese civilians during an operation he carried out as a NAVY SEAL. He knew he was killing civilians. No war crimes charges have been brought against him though he has admitted to this crime.

In My Lai, Vietnam on March 16th 1968 U.S. soldiers went on a rampage, raping, looting and killing as many as 400 unarmed Vietnamese civilians.

In the above cases and the most notorious case of MyLai, no one was brought to trial for crimes against humanity or human rights violations. A couple of officers were “tried” and given light sentences for the MyLai massacre(Captain Medina and Lt Calley). Only Lt. Calley was given a light sentence which was later pardoned by President Nixon and served only 2 years in prison. Here is an excerpt on it from an analytical essay on it. Quote:

“On March 16, 1968 the southern Vietnamese hamlet My Lai, was invaded by a demoralized platoon of U.S. soldiers, led by Lt. William L. Calley. During the four hours at My Lai, an estimated 347 unarmed civilians were brutally massacred by American GI’s. These civilians included women, babies, children, and old men. Many of these civilians were raped, sodomized, mutilated, tortured, and then shot to death in cold blood. This shameful incident remained unknown to the American public until the autumn of 1969.

That is nearly 18 months that the government and U.S. Army kept it covered up from the public. We may not have ever known of this abhorrent event if not for journalist Seymour Hersh, who tapped Pentagon sources and began publishing syndicated stories about My Lai.

To this date, the US population is split on even acknowledging the immorality of these heinous crimes; most Americans (Liberal or Conservative alike) don’t want to discuss or even offer apologies for these crimes. In fact, the MyLai massacre was covered up at the highest levels and only came to light because of the tireless work of journalists such as Seymour Hersh. However Congressmen or civic leaders who wanted to expose this crime in 1969 were vehemently denounced by a lot of Americans “for being traitors during war”.

There have also been a lot of controversial events in Afghanistan and also Iraq. I wish the US would come clean about the battle at Falluja where more than 70% of the city was razed and it is alleged that chemical weapons were used (including white phosphorous) against civilians because the terrorists, and rebels who were fighting US forces were hiding amongst civilians.

An Italian Documentary film maker provided evidence of the massive use of this illegal weapon. Neither top diplomat Assistant Secretary Robert O’ Blake, nor Ambassador Ms. Butenis would probably comment on these sordid events; they probably wish to remain blissfully (and wilfully) unaware like the majority of Americans when wagging their righteous fingers at other nations.

President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary won’t dare bring war crimes charges against those responsible because it will demoralize the US army. Crazy unpredictable events occur during wars but there is always a different set of rules to judge the rich powerful western nations and another set of moral standards for the children of lesser Gods like Sri Lanka.

Why aren’t Americans willing to look inwards and heal itself first?