The U.S. Army general investigating whether military personnel tried to cover up any part of the alleged massacre of 24 Iraqi civilians in Haditha late last year has completed a lengthy report on the incident. Army Major General Eldon Bargewell sent his report to Lieutenant General Peter Chiarelli, the second-ranking commander in Iraq, U.S. military officials said Friday. No information about Bargewell's findings was provided. Chiarelli has the option to approve the findings, substitute or add his own findings, send the report back for more information, or make recommendations for action by higher-ranking military authorities. There is no timetable for Chiarelli's response to the report. The Haditha case centers on allegations that a small number of Marines murdered 24 unarmed Iraqi civilians, including women and children, on November 19 after a roadside bomb in the western Iraqi town killed a member of their unit. Bargewell's probe was limited to whether the Marines followed proper procedures in reporting about the incident to commanders or whether anyone engaged in a cover-up. His investigation also may consider whether any criminal charges should be brought in connection with deliberate attempts to lie about the incident. A second investigation is underway by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service into what exactly happened in Haditha on November 19, and whether criminal charges—possibly including murder—should be brought against those involved.
