thedrifter
01-10-06, 03:11 PM
Senator Clinton slams Pentagon on poor body armor for US troops
AFP
US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton slammed what she called an "unforgivable" failure by the George W. Bush administration to provide potentially lifesaving body armor to US troops serving in Iraq.
"We have not given many of our soldiers and marines the protection that they need. And it is just unforgivable and unacceptable," Clinton, who serves on the Senate's Armed Service committee, told ABC television.
She made her remarks after the New York Times last week disclosed the findings of a secret Pentagon study that concluded that as many as 80 percent of the marines killed in Iraq from upper body wounds could have survived had they had extra body armor.
Clinton, who has called for congressional hearings into the matter, said upgrades to standard armored vests would cost just 260 dollars per service member.
"It is our duty to protect our men and women in uniform. They're over there protecting us, protecting our interests. They've been sent there by our president," the former first lady told ABC.
"The very least we can do is to give them the option of having the very best body armor and armored vehicles to make sure that while they're harm's way they can be as safe as possible," Clinton said.
Meanwhile, US media reported that lawmakers will hold a closed door Capitol Hill briefing Wednesday to discuss the issue.
Ellie
AFP
US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton slammed what she called an "unforgivable" failure by the George W. Bush administration to provide potentially lifesaving body armor to US troops serving in Iraq.
"We have not given many of our soldiers and marines the protection that they need. And it is just unforgivable and unacceptable," Clinton, who serves on the Senate's Armed Service committee, told ABC television.
She made her remarks after the New York Times last week disclosed the findings of a secret Pentagon study that concluded that as many as 80 percent of the marines killed in Iraq from upper body wounds could have survived had they had extra body armor.
Clinton, who has called for congressional hearings into the matter, said upgrades to standard armored vests would cost just 260 dollars per service member.
"It is our duty to protect our men and women in uniform. They're over there protecting us, protecting our interests. They've been sent there by our president," the former first lady told ABC.
"The very least we can do is to give them the option of having the very best body armor and armored vehicles to make sure that while they're harm's way they can be as safe as possible," Clinton said.
Meanwhile, US media reported that lawmakers will hold a closed door Capitol Hill briefing Wednesday to discuss the issue.
Ellie