Out of the frying pan and into the fire

An Italian journalist, who had been held captive by insurgents since Feb. 4th, was injured when U.S. troops fired on the car carrying her at a checkpoint in Baghdad. Giuliana Sgrena, a reporter for Il Manifesto, a leftist newspaper, had been released by her captives earlier today and was returning to Baghdad at the time of the shooting. An Italian Intelligence agent died and another is in critical condition following the incident. Ms. Sgrena suffered a shrapnel wound to her shoulder and is expected to make a full recovery.

There is NO doubt that operating a security checkpoint in the dangerously violent and increasingly volatile climate of Baghdad is a daunting task but there seems to be a recurring trend here, particularly where journalists are concerned. Seventeen journalists have been killed since the start of the war according to The Freedom of Information Center.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who has been one of the administration's staunchest allies in Iraq was, reportedly outraged and called the U.S. Ambassador to Rome for a full accounting of the incident. From the Minneapolis Star Tribune [Reg. Req.],

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, an ally of the United States who has kept Italian troops in Iraq despite public opposition at home, demanded an explanation from the U.S. ambassador in Rome, Mel Sembler.

"Given that the fire came from an American source I called in the American ambassador,'' Berlusconi said. "I believe we must have an explanation for such a serious incident, for which someone must take the responsibility.''

This is yet another in a long list of "friendly fire" incidents involving journalists in Iraq (and, to a somewhat lesser degree, Afghanistan) since the war began. This, of course, begs the question, which was posed by (and led to the resignation of) Eason Jordan lately of CNN, Inc. Is the U.S. military targeting journalists in the War on Terror? Considering that more journalists died in a single month late last year than were killed in the entire Vietnam War, I think this is an incredibly valid question. This trend is disturbing at least and atrocious and indefensible at worst.

President Bush railed during the campaign about bringing more allies into the fight to ensure Democracy in Iraq. I would submit to the President though that it will become increasingly difficult to garner support and aid while our troops are killing an inordinate amount of civilians from various news agencies from around the world. The White House's reaction to the incident was typical of their "see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil" take on the uglier aspects of their grand experiment in Iraq.

White House press secretary Scott McClellan said "details are still unclear'' but "we regret the loss of life.''

Then again, I know that it is naive and foolish for me to expect them to shoot straight with foreign governments when they lie to us, the American people every chance they get. I am saddened at the further loss of life, and wish Ms. Sgrena and the unnamed Intelligence officer a speedy recovery. This incident begs an explanation and an investigation though. Are the U.S. troops targeting journalists in Iraq? Mr. Jordan became a pariah for asking this question but it still begs for an answer.