- The Pentagon said yesterday it was investigating cockpit
video footage that shows American pilots attacking and killing a group
of apparently unarmed Iraqi civilians.
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- The 30-second clip shows the pilot targeting the group
of people in a street in the city of Fallujah and asking his mission controllers
whether he should "take them out". He is told to do so and, shortly
afterwards, the footage shows a huge explosion where the people were. A
second voice can be heard on the clip saying: "Oh, dude."
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- The existence of the video, taken last April inside the
cockpit of a US F-16 fighter has been known for some time, though last
night's broadcast by Channel 4 News is believed to be the first time a
mainstream broadcaster has shown the footage.
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- At no point during the exchange between the pilot and
controllers does anyone ask whether the Iraqis are armed or posing a threat.
Critics say it proves war crimes are being committed.
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- ©2004 Independent Digital (UK) Ltd. All rights reserved
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- http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/story.jsp?story=569207
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