Pentagon says its only counting suicides of soldiers who die in theater

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.veteransforpeace.org/Two_post_Iraq_012004.htm

Two post-Iraq suicides not listed by Army
By Mark Benjamin
United Press International
Published 1/20/2004 2:25 PM


WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- A soldier who served in Iraq apparently hung himself with a bedsheet last week at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, but the Pentagon did not count that death two days later when it announced "a very small increase" in the suicide rate from Operation Iraqi Freedom.

It also did not count an Operation Iraqi Freedom soldier who apparently committed suicide at the same military hospital last July. The Pentagon said it is not counting suicides among troops who killed themselves after they left Iraq.

A veterans' advocate questioned that decision.

"I want to know why stateside suicides are not counted in the total number of suicides reported by the Department of Defense," said Steve Robinson, executive director of the National Gulf War Resource Center and a former Army Ranger.

Robinson said he fears an epidemic of mental problems among troops who have served in the war. "There appears to be a significant increase in both suicides and post-traumatic stress disorder," Robinson said.

Does anyone know if this policy has changed?

[Gman]

1. Well, then the number of suicides would be much higher

and we can't have the media reporting that now, can we?

Total media control. Everything.

[NNN0LHI]

2. As would the total death count of US soldiers

Figures don't lie but liars sure do figure.

Don