Letter to The Honorable Francis J. Harvey, Secretary of the Army

Letter to The Honorable Francis J. Harvey, Secretary of the Army

September 28, 2006

The Honorable Francis J. Harvey
Secretary of the Army
101 Army Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20310-0101

Dear Secretary Harvey,

According to recent media reports, civilian contractors driving trucks in a convoy in Iraq, including an Iowan, were shot at point blank range by insurgents after their vehicles were disabled and their military escort abandoned them. I am appalled by the fact that this could happen and I request a thorough investigation into this incident.

Specifically, I want to know which military personnel were involved, what military protocols, if any, were violated, and if so, what disciplinary action was taken against the soldiers involved. In addition, what procedures have been or will be put in place to make sure an incident like this never happens again? The families of the murdered contractors deserve justice and reassurance that other families will not face a similar tragedy.

I ask that you respond to my inquiry by Friday, October 6, 2006. Thank you for your attention to my request.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Grassley
United States Senator

http://grassley.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=5190&Month=9&Year=2006