Australia cleared in U.S. death in Iraq

Source: Associated Press

Australia cleared in U.S. death in Iraq

16 minutes ago

CANBERRA, Australia - Australian troops acted lawfully when they
shot and killed an American contractor in Baghdad after he ignored
their orders to stop the truck he was driving, a spokesman said
Thursday.

Announcing the findings of an internal investigation, Australian
Defense Forces spokesman Brig. Gus Gilmore said the troops
interpreted the American's actions as an "imminent threat to life."

"In these circumstances their actions were appropriate," he said.

Hector C. Patino, a Vietnam War veteran from San Antonio, was
killed Jan. 13 at a checkpoint near the Australian Embassy in the
Iraqi capital's heavily fortified Green Zone.

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