Operation column fury
(In response to Oday Shahin’s Nov. 22 column “U.S. needs to investigate human rights claims.)
With every new week, comes another State Press columnist who didn't do [his or her] research. This week it’s Oday Shahin and his column "U.S. needs to investigate human rights claims," in which he decries the use of white phosphorus (WP) in the battle of Fallujah. Predictably, much of his argument is based on misconceptions and factual inaccuracies about not only the battle[s] of Fallujah but also what WP is.
First of all, Shahin cites an Italian documentary that has been proven to be widely inaccurate. The documentary purports to show helicopters "spraying WP" in Fallujah, when helicopters can't deliver WP, and quotes a veteran named Jeff Englehardt, who never even served in Fallujah.
Secondly, Shahin states that Saddam [Hussein] used the same weapons against the Kurds. This is also incorrect. Saddam used nerve gas against the Kurds and not WP, which is an incendiary.
Finally, the United States is not a signatory to any treaty that bans the use of WP. Even if [it was], there are currently no treaties that completely ban WP but instead allow it to be used to screen movements and flush out the enemy, which was how it was employed by marines and soldiers in Fallujah.
Mr. Oday Shahin did a poor job of attacking veterans of the battle[s] of Fallujah (many of whom are ASU students) and should frankly pull his head out of the sand.
Daniel Caldwell
Reader
