U.S.: No decision made on Iraq unit's fate

U.S.: No decision made on Iraq unit's fate

By TINI TRAN, Associated Press
Last updated: 9:15 p.m., Monday, October 18, 2004

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- The U.S. military said Monday no decision had been made on whether to discipline Army reservists who refused a supply mission last week, despite statements from their relatives that the soldiers would be discharged.


"It is too early in the process to tell if any disciplinary actions will be initiated," Maj. Richard Spiegel, spokesman for the 13th Corps Support Command in Balad, said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

Families of some soldiers involved said Monday the commanders did not act on complaints that the convoy was hauling contaminated fuel or that their vehicles were in poor working order and were not sufficiently protected with armor.
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Spiegel said no decision will be made on discipline until the investigation is completed and recommendations are made. "I could not speculate as to why soldiers would be telling people that they are going to be discharged," he said.

Chambers has since ordered the 343rd to undergo a "safety-maintenance stand down," during which it will conduct no further missions as its vehicles are inspected, the military said.
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The platoon has troops from Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina.

The issue of lack of appropriate equipment has been a long-standing complaint by low-level soldiers and higher U.S. command.
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