: "...This letter from General Petraeus deserves the widest possible
dissemination. It should be published widely, and posted on every headquarters
wall, and read aloud by every troop in Iraq and Afghanistan. We can pummel al
Qaeda and other terrorists mercilessly and grind them into the dirt, but we
cannot afford to turn local populations against us while we do it."
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen serving in
Multi-National Force-Iraq:
Our values and the laws governing warfare teach us to respect human dignity,
maintain our integrity, and do what is right. Adherence to our values
distinguishes us from our enemy. This fight depends on securing the population,
which must understand that we—not our enemies—occupy the moral high ground. This
strategy has shown results in recent months. Al Qaeda’s indiscriminate attacks,
for example, have finally started to turn a substantial proportion of the Iraqi
population against it.
In view of this, I was concerned by the results of a recently released survey
conducted last fall in Iraq that revealed an apparent unwillingness on the part
of some US personnel to report illegal actions taken by fellow members of their
units. The study also indicated that a small percentage of those surveyed may
have mistreated noncombatants. This survey should spur reflection on our conduct
in combat.
I fully appreciate the emotions that one experiences in Iraq. I also know
first hand the bonds between members of the ” brotherhood of the close fight. ”
Seeing a fellow trooper killed by a barbaric enemy can spark frustration, anger,
and a desire for immediate revenge. As hard as it might be, however, we must not
let these emotions lead us—or our comrades in arms—to commit hasty, illegal
actions. In the event that we witness or hear of such actions, we must not let
our bonds prevent us from speaking up.
Some may argue that we would be more effective if we sanctioned torture or
other expedient methods to obtain information from the enemy. They would be
wrong. Beyond the basic fact that such actions are illegal, history shows that
they also are frequently neither useful nor necessary. Certainly, extreme
physical action can make someone “talk;” however, what the individual says may
be of questionable value. In fact, our experience in applying the interrogation
standards laid out in the Army Field Manual (2-22.3) on Human Intelligence
Collector Operations that was published last year shows that the techniques in
the manual work effectively and humanely in eliciting information from
detainees.
We are, indeed, warriors. We train to kill our enemies. We are engaged in
combat, we must pursue the enemy relentlessly, and we must be violent at times.
What sets us apart from our enemies in this fight, however, is how we behave. In
everything we do, we must observe the standards and values that dictate that we
treat noncombatants and detainees with dignity and respect. While we are
warriors, we are also all human beings. Stress caused by lengthy deployments and
combat is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign that we are human. If you feel
such stress, do not hesitate to talk to your chain of command, your chaplain, or
a medical expert.
We should use the survey results to renew our commitment to the values and
standards that make us who we are and to spur re-examination of these issues.
Leaders, in particular, need to discuss these issues with their troopers—and,
as always, they need to set the right example and strive to ensure proper
conduct. We should never underestimate the importance of good leadership and the
difference it can make.
Thanks for what you continue to do. It is an honor to serve with each of
you.
David H. Petraeus,
General, United States Army
Commanding