[It is] expected that when foreign fighters come in from other countries, they come to this location, they change their clothes into typical Iraqi clothing sets. |
After the warning shots were neglected, the individuals got into their vehicle and drove toward the coalition base, |
After we've notified the families, I think we're going to be a little more forthcoming on what happened up there, |
another day for the soldiers of the coalition. |
As you know, the soldiers were not shooting at that particular vehicle, but were acting in self-defense at a vehicle which was coming down after them, [and] had hit one of our vehicles at such a pace -- at such a rate of speed -- that it pushed that vehicle back 10 to 15 feet. |
Day after day after day as we continue to get more evidence in ... it is pretty clear to us that what happened that night -- from after midnight to about 0400 -- that the activities that we saw on the ground were somewhat inconsistent with a wedding party, |
Going against soft targets is probably an easier way to achieve what the enemy is trying to achieve. He's attempting to intimidate the people of Iraq, and he's attempting to try to break the will of the coalition, ... He will be unsuccessful in both. |
Here, I'd like to use a popular Hollywood expression: that cameras often lie. |
I know that your reporter may have confirmed it to you. But that's what your correspondents have been doing for the last few days, repeating and confirming lies, |
I suspect that most Iraqi people were as horrified, |
I think it (military force) is always a possibility but my personal assessment is that it is a low possibility at this point. |
I think there was a well-thought-out decision on part of the Marines that let's not rush headlong into there. There may be ambushes set up, |
I think we're talking days. |
If we can't hold ourselves up as an example of how to treat people with dignity and respect, we can't ask that other nations do that to our soldiers. |
If you wanted absolute security yesterday, you could have assured that and guaranteed that by canceling the festivities, ... We will not allow the terrorists to win. We will not be cowed. |