Kucinich: White House Must Come Clean On Iraqi Civilian Deaths

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DECEMBER 12, 2005 2:49 PM

CONTACT: Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich

Kucinich: White House Must Come Clean On Iraqi Civilian Deaths Despite Past Denials About Existence Of Official Count;

Two And Half Years Into The War The President Finally Gives A Number

WASHINGTON - Statement of Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) on the President's comments regarding civilian deaths:

"Two and half years into the war the President is finally willing to discuss the appalling number of Iraqi civilian deaths. It is far past time for this sort of admission from this White House. While the President stated that about 30,000 Iraqi civilians have died since the start of the war other studies have put those figures at closer to 100,000. The Administration has a moral obligation to inform the American public of the real price of war. It should immediately release all information they have on the number of civilian deaths and injuries caused by the United States' war and occupation.

"For years, the Administration has refused to even acknowledge civilian deaths. Retired General Tommy Franks stated Administration position when he said that the US military does not do body counts. I have repeatedly spoken on the House floor, and written the Department of Defense to demand this information. I have not yet received a real response.

"I sincerely hope that when the President of the United States and the Commander and Chief of the most powerful military force in the world talks about such an important issue such as civilian deaths he doing so based on reliable information. Assuming this to be the case, despite past denials, the White House is keeping careful records on Iraqi civilian deaths. Otherwise, this is just another example of the Administration's manipulation of facts in pursuit of their policy goals.

"The White House, now on record as keeping this information, must now release this information. The American public, and Congress, will demand nothing less."

http://www.commondreams.org/news2005/1212-02.htm

Then there is the Lancet Report which estimated the number of Iraqi civilians killed by US military actions to exceed 100,000:

Iraq death toll 'soared post-war'

Poor planning, air strikes by coalition forces and a "climate of violence" have led to more than 100,000 extra deaths in Iraq, scientists claim.

A study published by the Lancet says the risk of death by violence for civilians in Iraq is now 58 times higher than before the US-led invasion.

Unofficial estimates of civilian deaths had varied from 10,000 to over 37,000.

The Lancet admits the research is based on a small sample - under 1,000 homes - but says the findings are "convincing".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3962969.stm