General Wes Clark On Bush Administration's Failure To Protect Our Troops
WesPAC issued the following press release on January 10, 2006, which was picked up by the Democratic National Committee and re-released with a statement by Lt. Gen. Claudia Kennedy (ret.):
General Wes Clark On Bush Administration's Failure To Protect Our Troops
For Immediate Release
1/10/2006 4:40:00 PM
Little Rock, AR - In his remarks to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, President Bush talked the continuing need to ensure the protection of Iraqi civilians. President Bush should be making a similar effort to protect American troops who are fighting to keep us safe.
According to an internal government report obtained by the New York Times, "80 percent of the marines who have been killed in Iraq from wounds to the upper body could have survived if they had had extra body armor." The Times went on to note that, "such armor has been available since 2003," but the Pentagon declined to supply it to the troops despite "calls from the field for additional protection." [New York Times, 1/7/06]
General Wes Clark issued the following statement on the Bush's Administration's failure to properly and adequately equip our troops during wartime:
"This study is but the latest example of the Administration's appalling disregard for the welfare and safety of our troops.President Bush's rhetoric doesn't match the actions of his Administration, and unnecessary combat fatalities are the result. This is a clear case where Congressional investigation is warranted.
When were the needs for additional protection first expressed? Who knew what and when and why weren't necessary steps taken?
The American people deserve no less than full accountability and assurances that going forward our troops will not face unnecessary risks or danger caused by lack of resources, oversight or commitment from Washington."
