At least two of the four US Marines depicted in a video urinating on the corpses of Taliban fighters and making mean jokes have been identified. The one-minute video that appeared in Internet last Wednesday gave rise to a wave of indignation in the Muslim world. US military and civilian leaders also strictly condemned the conduct of the marines. In particular, General James Amos, the Marine Corps commandant, said that the behavior depicted in the video is wholly inconsistent with “the high standards of conduct and warrior ethos that we have demonstrated throughout our history.” General Amos requested to thoroughly investigate the incident and punish the guilty. A similar promise was given by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta who phoned Afghan President Hamid Karzai. President Karzai called the actions of the US Marines “inhumane.” US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said at a press conference that the video was “totally disgusting”.
It is difficult to say how sincere the indignation of the officials is. However, it is obvious that in our days crimes of the military in any country, irrespective of the fact they were committed in time of peace or at war, cannot be hidden.
ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
