Deliberate Target or Unfortunate Accident?

The following comments reflect the views of our readers. If you would like to have your say, click on the feedback button below. Not all reader comments will be published. DW-WORLD reserves the right to edit for length and appropriateness of content.

Is there any doubt that the US forces were ordered to assassinate Giuliana Sgrena? Before going any further, consider the record of US occupation forces in Iraq to begin with. Note that all the foreign journalist and TV crews murdered by US forces were not embedded ones. Note that all the embedded journalists and TV crews were safe, because they were part of the US propaganda machine, hence they were protected. It does not matter if you are a foreign journalist -- in Iraq, you will become fair game for the US forces on orders by the White House. No one should expect the Bush regime to obey international covenants, because it believes that it is above the law. -- Kenneth T. Tellis, Canada

It seems we could know more by now of the facts, which should be easy to determine. Was it a checkpoint or not, was Giuliana's travel noticed to the military or not? Even if it were not, does the military use reasonable care or simply execute perceived threats? There seems to be a certain callous recklessness at stake in the use of military force. The claim that painstaking care is taken to protect bystanders seems seldom to be even close to the truth. --George Collins

It is absurd to even think that American troops deliberately tried to kill the Italians during Giuliana Sgrena's release operation. All Americans are heartbroken over the tragedy that unfolded. Possibly Sgrena, who only days before was broadcast on TV begging for her life, lost her perspective during her imprisonment and after being shot at the US checkpoint during her return. Surely Europeans aren't so out of touch with reality to believe that the US would deliberately shoot her? -- Matt, US

I am a First Nations Native American, and I feel that Ms. Sgrena's story of being deliberately targeted by US forces is true. The US will stop at nothing to further its imperialist aims. Ms. Sgrena was a vocal opponent of the war, and the fascist policies of Bush in general. -- John Kangiyuha

Sgrena is luckier than her preceding colleagues, who were killed by the Americans, just because they are not "embedded" within the Pentagon. The rulers of America are not so friendly toward the freedom of information. Otherwise, there is no other explanation why the US doesn't have a single international direct TV channel. Even on the satellite radio, the only international radio station you can get is BBC. --Jordan Stefanov

I believe the US is responsible for many atrocities and horrific acts, but I cannot believe this was deliberate. I do not rule out, however, recklessness and carelessness on the part of the US soldiers who took part in the shooting. But to say it was planned, calculated and then carried out, I can not wrap my mind around that one. -- Mossi

A plane was waiting to take her home. But while the car was still some 600 meters from the terminal, American troops opened fire, unleashing a volley of 300 to 400 shots. And there was the presence of an American colonel at Baghdad airport along with the Italian officers who were waiting for Sgrena. What else is there to say? -- Barrie Higgins

Sgrena's rescue operation showed something is not right with American occupation of Iraq and their objective in Iraq. Americans just want revenge. What happen to Ms. Sgrena symbolised American cowboy mentality, chasing all native Indians from their homeland. Cowboys are the good guys and all Indians are bandits. -- Azmi Baharom, Malaysia