Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAGHDAD2345
2006-07-03 17:14:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

FRIENDLY FIRE INCIDENT INVOLVING GEORGIAN AND US

Tags:  PGOV PHUM PREL MOPS GG IZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHGB #2345 1841714
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 031714Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5506
INFO RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI 0007
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002345 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

CONFIDENTIAL/ REL GEORGIA (GG)

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL MOPS GG IZ
SUBJECT: FRIENDLY FIRE INCIDENT INVOLVING GEORGIAN AND US
SOLDIER

Classified By: POLITICAL-MILITARY COUNSELOR FREDERIC W. MAERKLE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002345

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

CONFIDENTIAL/ REL GEORGIA (GG)

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL MOPS GG IZ
SUBJECT: FRIENDLY FIRE INCIDENT INVOLVING GEORGIAN AND US
SOLDIER

Classified By: POLITICAL-MILITARY COUNSELOR FREDERIC W. MAERKLE

1.(C/REL GG) SUMMARY. This cable is to
inform Department and Embassy
Tbilisi that on June 26, a
U.S Special Forces soldier (SFS)
was shot by a coalition soldier from
the Georgian contingent in Iraq.
At present, the incident is being
characterized as a friendly fire
incident. The appropriate Georgian
military leadership has been informed
and close cooperation between the
US and Georgian military is underway.
As required by US military
regulations, a standard investigation
is being carried out. The Georgian
soldier is still in Iraq. Pursuant
to Iraqi law (Coalition Provisional
Authority Order 17) and MNF-I regulations,
only Georgia, not Iraq or the
US, has jurisdiction over the
Georgian soldier. END SUMMARY.

2.(C/REL GG) Preliminary investigation
indicates that on the night of June 26,
a Georgian soldier manning an internal
checkpoint at forward Operating Base
Gabe in Iraq, allegedly shot a vehicle
carrying a U.S. SFS after the latter was
noncompliant with instructions given
by the former and attempted to drive
away. The U.S. SFS was wearing civilian
clothing, driving a civilian vehicle
and in the company of two Iraq nationals.
Five shots were allegedly fired at
the vehicle in an attempt to disable it,
one of which penetrated the rear of the
vehicle striking the U.S. SFS in the
back exiting his chest. The SFS has been
MEDEVAC,d to Landstuhl for treatment but
the prognosis is not good. The episode is
being treated by the US military as a
friendly fire incident.


3. (C/REL GG) As required by US military
regulations, an investigation is underway.
The Georgian military has been informed of
the incident and is working closely with
the US military authorities to support the
investigation. The Georgian
soldier remains in Iraq and given Iraqi
law (CPA Order No. 17 which gives the
sending Coalition state exclusive
disciplinary jurisdiction over its forces)
and MNF-I regulations, only Georgia
has jurisdiction to take disciplinary
action against the soldier, if it
appears such action is warranted.

Khalilzad