Monday, May 11, 2009

Obama Pledges to 'Fully Understand' Camp Liberty Shooting

American Forces Press Service

May 11, 2009 - President Barack Obama said his administration "will press to ensure that we fully understand" what led to the shooting of five U.S. servicemembers, allegedly by a U.S. soldier, on a U.S. military base in Iraq today. "I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear the news from Camp Victory this morning, and my heart goes out to the families and friends of all the servicemembers involved in this horrible tragedy," Obama said in a statement.

As details about the shooting continue to emerge, the U.S. military is holding in custody an American soldier suspected of involvement in the shooting deaths that occurred around 2 p.m. local time at the base in the Iraqi capital.

"I will press to ensure that we fully understand what led to this tragedy, and that we are doing everything we can to ensure that our men and women in uniform are protected as they serve our country so capably and courageously in harm's way," Obama said, adding that he met with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to get a briefing on the matter this afternoon.

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