GENERAL ALLEN SAYS SPECULATION IN BALES CASE SERVES NO PURPOSE

The following excerpt is from a Department of Defense American Forces Press Service e-mail:

Allen: Speculation About Bales Case 'Serves No Purpose'

By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 26, 2012 - Criminal and administrative investigations continue following charges announced March 23 against Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, the NATO International Security Assistance Force commander said here today.

Bales, who is being held at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., is charged with killing 17 Afghan civilians and trying to kill six others March 11.

U.S. officials have paid compensation to the victims' families, Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen confirmed to reporters during a Pentagon news conference, noting that such payments are according to Afghan cultural norms.

"I extend once again my sincere condolences to the loved ones, family members and friends of those who were killed and injured in that senseless act of violence," Allen said. "I also extend my deepest sympathies to the Bales family, who are going through a great deal right now. They, too, deserve our support as they come to grips with the inevitable and drastic changes ... in their lives."

Allen said because investigations continue and jurisdiction rests with officials at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., he could not to go into more detail about the case. He added that investigators "have and will retain my full support to let the facts take them where they may."

Investigative and judicial processes will proceed according to military regulations, Allen said.

"Speculation in the media and through anonymous commentary serves no one's purpose in our interest and in our earnest desire to see justice done here," he added.

The special court-martial convening authority at Joint Base Lewis-McChord must next decide whether to direct an investigation of the charges under Article 32 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. No case can proceed to a general court-martial unless a command first conducts an Article 32 investigation.

Under the UCMJ, the maximum possible punishment for a premeditated murder conviction is dishonorable discharge from the armed forces, reduction to the lowest enlisted grade, forfeiture of pay and allowances, and death. The minimum sentence is life imprisonment with eligibility for parole.

SOLDIER ACCUSED OF CIVILIAN SHOOTING AIRLIFTED OUT OF AFGHANISTAN

The following excerpt is from the Department of Defense American Forces Press Service:

Military Flies Shooting Suspect Out of Afghanistan

By Lisa Daniel
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 14, 2012 - The military today airlifted out of Afghanistan the U.S. soldier accused of going on a shooting rampage targeting Afghan civilians earlier this week, a Pentagon spokesman said.

Navy Capt. John Kirby, in an interview with Fox News at the Pentagon, confirmed that the soldier was flown out of Afghanistan. He declined to say where he is being held.

The soldier, whom the military has yet to identify, was taken out of Afghanistan because there was no appropriate place to detain him there, Kirby said.

"This is in accordance with our own regulations and policies to have him in a proper detention facility and to continue to be interviewed and cared for appropriately," he said. "So we've moved him to an appropriate detention facility outside the country."

Kirby agreed with a reporter's assessment that Afghans are "understandably livid" about the soldier being taken out of Afghanistan, but he said U.S. military officials have been in close contact with Afghan officials.

"We have kept Afghan authorities, all the way up to President [Hamid] Karzai, informed of this transfer," he said. "They know we're doing this, and they know why we're doing this."

Army officials have identified the suspect only as a noncommissioned officer. He is accused of leaving his base in Kandahar province in the middle of the night March 11 and shooting Afghans in their homes nearby. Afghan officials say 17 were killed.

It is Defense Department policy to release a suspect's name after charges have been levied against him. That has not yet occurred, Kirby said.

Because of the "heinous nature of the crimes, and the scope and magnitude of the devastation," the captain said, military officials don't want to rush investigators.

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has told Karzai the investigation will be done rapidly, Kirby said. "But more important," he added, "it will be done thoroughly."

U.S. CONDEMNS SHOOTING IN AFGHANISTAN

The following excerpt is from a Department of Defense American Forces Press Service e-mail:

Officials Condemn Afghanistan Shooting, Offer Condolences

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2012 - President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and International Security Assistance Force leaders all condemned a shooting incident in Southern Afghanistan, and pledged to work with Afghan authorities in fully investigating the incident.

"This incident is tragic and shocking, and does not represent the exceptional character of our military and the respect that the United States has for the people of Afghanistan," Obama said in a statement released by the White House.

Panetta spoke with Afghan President Hamid Karzai to offer his deepest condolences and profound regret for the tragic incident in Kandahar province. The incident resulted in the loss of life and injuries to innocent Afghan civilians, including women and children.

ISAF Commander Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, who is here to testify this week, issued a statement today saying he was "shocked and saddened" to hear of the shooting incident.

"I offer my profound regret and deepest condolences to the victims and their families," Allen said in his statement.

In a Facebook post, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin Dempsey offered his condolences to the victims of the attack and their families. "I'm confident that General Allen and his staff are taking the appropriate steps to quickly and thoroughly investigate the circumstances of this incident," he said.

Allegedly, an American service member left his base in Kandahar province, entered homes in the area and shot the inhabitants. Karzai said in a statement that the service member had killed 16 and wounded at least five others.

"I condemn such violence and am shocked and saddened that a U.S. service member is alleged to be involved, clearly acting outside his chain of command," Panetta said. "I told President Karzai that the American people share the outrage felt by President Karzai and his fellow citizens. This tragic incident does not reflect the commitment of the U.S. military to protect the Afghan people and help build a strong and stable Afghanistan."

"I cannot explain the motivation behind such callous acts, but they were in no way part of authorized ISAF military activity," said British Lt. Gen. Adrian J. Bradshaw in a written statement. Bradshaw is deputy ISAF commander.

The service member is in ISAF custody and will remain there as ISAF and Afghans conduct an investigation, Allen said. Those wounded in the incident are receiving care from ISAF medics. "I am absolutely dedicated to making sure that anyone who is found to have committed wrong-doing is held fully accountable," Allen said.

Panetta gave Karzai his assurances that U.S. officials will bring those responsible to justice. "We will spare no effort in getting the facts as quickly as possible, and we will hold any perpetrator who is responsible for this violence fully accountable under the law," he said in his statement.

The incident happens just weeks after rioting over the accidental burning of Qurans at Bagram Air Field.

Both Allen and the American embassy spoke of the partnership between the United States and Afghanistan.

"This deeply appalling incident in no way represents the values of ISAF and coalition troops or the abiding respect we feel for the Afghan people," the general said. "Nor does it impugn or diminish the spirit of cooperation and partnership we have worked so hard to foster with the Afghan National Security Forces."

An embassy statement reiterated that the United States is committed to "an enduring partnership with Afghanistan to obtain greater peace and security in the region, which is our common interest. We deplore any attack by a member of the U.S. armed forces against innocent civilians, and denounce all violence against civilians. We assure the people of Afghanistan that the individual or individuals responsible for this act will be identified and brought to justice."