Friendly Fire Payments

[dancing-loon]

Forces paid for friendly-fire deaths, files show

Afghan families got up to $9,000 each for losing a family member – but without any admission of liability from Canada.

OTTAWA — On a single day in the summer of 2006, the Canadian Forces were involved in at least half a dozen instances of "friendly fire" that left two Afghans dead and four injured. The Forces ended up paying about $35,000 in compensation, even though it admitted no liability for the deaths. Documents obtained by The Globe and Mail through access-to-information legislation show more than 30 instances since January of 2006 where the Canadian Forces compensated Afghan citizens for everything from lost cellphones to the accidental killing of relatives by Canadian soldiers. The military labeled the vast majority of the payments "ex gratia," meaning they were made voluntarily and with no admission of liability.

Enlarge Image Captain Kent MacRae leads a sheep down an Afghan street. The sheep was one of several items given to a Kandahar family in compensation for their son’s killing by coalition troops. (DND/The Canadian Press)

Read the full article here: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...ghanistan/home
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At least responsibility is being acknowledged and a tiny compensation paid. I guess a thousand dollars is half a fortune in Afghanistan.

 

[Praxius]

I wonder what happened to those soldiers gunned down by that A-10?

I am currently in the process of reading a book called "Outside the Wire"

It has various letters or interviews from some of the Canadian soldiers over there in Afghanistan. The first part of the book was filled in by one of the soldiers who was hit by the A-10 and is currently back home with his family, and I'm just getting into the next part which is a list of emails/letters sent back home from the first female Canadian soldier who was killed over there, which were submitted with her family's approval.

It's a good read, I'd suggest it to anybody who is interested in what's going on over there. This thread kinda reminded me of this book in regards to the FF incident in the first part of the book.

 

[EagleSmack]

Well, well. Looks like the Canadians are using hush money here. Take the money and be quiet.

 

[karrie]

Well, well. Looks like the Canadians are using hush money here. Take the money and be quiet.

It beats just expecting quiet with no form of compensation whatsoever I'd warrant.

 

[EagleSmack]

It is basically a settlement. Canada pays and does not admit guilt. It is a take it of leave it. Eight grand is a lot of money in that place.

 

[dancing-loon]

I wonder what happened to those soldiers gunned down by that A-10?

I am currently in the process of reading a book called "Outside the Wire"

It has various letters or interviews from some of the Canadian soldiers over there in Afghanistan. The first part of the book was filled in by one of the soldiers who was hit by the A-10 and is currently back home with his family, and I'm just getting into the next part which is a list of emails/letters sent back home from the first female Canadian soldier who was killed over there, which were submitted with her family's approval.

It's a good read, I'd suggest it to anybody who is interested in what's going on over there. This thread kinda reminded me of this book in regards to the FF incident in the first part of the book.

Thanks, Praxi. Sounds like a good and informative book on the subject.
I remember that beautiful young Lady.... Nicola was her name.

 

[karrie]

It is basically a settlement. Canada pays and does not admit guilt. It is a take it of leave it. Eight grand is a lot of money in that place.

When has any military ever admitted guilt for friendly fire incidences, unless blatantly in fault? They tend to consider it a price of war, no?

 

[dancing-loon]

Well, well. Looks like the Canadians are using hush money here. Take the money and be quiet.

Hi, Eagle;
Has the US paid anything for the million victims??

 

[EagleSmack]

Hi, Eagle;
Has the US paid anything for the million victims??

A million? Make it a billion.

Yes...every day we pump millions and millions of dollars into these countries. A far cry from 8K per family.

 

[Avro]

Hi, Eagle;
Has the US paid anything for the million victims??

They sure didn't pay when they killed 4 of our soldiers.

Hand slaps and nothing more.

I don't expect more from a country that treats it's veterans like crap.

 

[EagleSmack]

They sure didn't pay when they killed 4 of our soldiers.

Hand slaps and nothing more.

I don't expect more from a country that treats it's veterans like crap.

And what would you have wanted in payment? You do know it was an accident right? The Canadian soldier that put a bullet into his buddy in a tent in Afghanistan and killed him...was that OK?

I am a veteran and I am not treated like crap.

 

[dancing-loon]

And what would you have wanted in payment? You do know it was an accident right? The Canadian soldier that put a bullet into his buddy in a tent in Afghanistan and killed him...was that OK?

I am a veteran and I am not treated like crap.

Aaw you sweet little American.... come here... let me cuddle you;-):lol: I know we are a little rough on you, but don't take it personally... we love to have you here on the CC board... I do!! People from other countries are the icing on our discussion cakes! Or the salt in our chicken soup!

feel better now?;-)

 

[dancing-loon]

They sure didn't pay when they killed 4 of our soldiers.

Hand slaps and nothing more.

I don't expect more from a country that treats it's veterans like crap.

Hi, Avro;
weren't they convicted, or at least had to stand trial? If I remember correctly, it was said that they were under the influence of drugs... drugs to keep them awake and sharp and cocky = uppers. That is nothing unusual, soldiers are handed drugs, if they want them, before they go out for battle or flying. Maybe our soldiers get them, too. I don't know.

 

[EagleSmack]

Aaw you sweet little American.... come here... let me cuddle you;-):lol: I know we are a little rough on you, but don't take it personally... we love to have you here on the CC board... I do!! People from other countries are the icing on our discussion cakes! Or the salt in our chicken soup!

feel better now?;-)

I am actually surprised you even posted this article. Seeing this thread start made me very happy. Looks like we aren't the only ones with an itchy finger! :lol:

I especially like the picture of Captain Kent giving a family a goat in payment for the death of a loved one! A GOAT!

"Sorry we iced your son...please accept this goat on behalf of the people of Canada."

 

[#juan]

I am actually surprised you even posted this article. Seeing this thread start made me very happy. Looks like we aren't the only ones with an itchy finger! :lol:

I especially like the picture of Captain Kent giving a family a goat in payment for the death of a loved one! A GOAT!

"Sorry we iced your son...please accept this goat on behalf of the people of Canada."

Hey Eagle....Surely it was a goat as well as $8,000.00.......I wonder where Captain Kent got the goat.....:lol:

 

[I think not]

So the price of a human life is now set at $9,000.

 

[#juan]

So the price of a human life is now set at $9,000.

Dopey comment. What it is, is a humanitarian gesture. Certainly better than nothing...

 

[I think not]

Dopey comment. What it is, is a humanitarian gesture. Certainly better than nothing...

You're right of course, then again you weren't on the receiving end of the check so why would you give a flying phuck how much it is.

 

[#juan]

You're right of course, then again you weren't on the receiving end of the check so why would you give a flying phuck how much it is.

I care because it is partly my taxes that pay for this. I'm glad we are doing something.. Do other countries do this as well? Does America?

 

[karrie]

The first result I got while looking up the american standard for similar things.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/nov/26/iraq.usa