Topic: US soldier says troops took Iraqi 'cough syrup' to beat stress

Team Infidel

Media: AFP
Byline: N/A
Date: 08 August 2006

BAGHDAD, Aug 8, 2006 (AFP) - A US soldier testifying in the rape-slaying of
an Iraqi girl told a military legal panel on Tuesday how soldiers drank
Iraqi cough syrup and whisky and took drugs to fight stress due to sustained
combat.

Private first class Justic Cross said regular deaths of their colleagues had
demoralised the troops, while dangerous patrols made them constantly fear
for their lives, which was "mentally draining."

"It drives you nuts. You felt like every step you might get blown up. You
just hit a point where you're like, 'If I die today, I die'. You are just
walking a death walk," Cross said.

He was testifying before a panel which will decide whether or not to court
martial four soldiers accused of taking part in the rape and murder of a
14-year-old girl in Mahmudiyah, south of Baghdad on March 12.

The soldiers are also alleged to have massacred the girl's father, mother
and five-year-old sister.

Another Iraq veteran is facing charges in the same case in a civilian court
in the United States.

Cross testified that to beat stress, soldiers would take Iraqi cough syrup
which "makes you feel high."

He also said that soldiers took pain killers and drank Iraqi whiskey.

Cross was asked whether all five soldiers were involved in the killing of
the family or only the veteran, Steven Green, believed to be the mastermind
of the attack.

Cross replied: "Green does nothing by himself."

Green, Specialist James Barker, Sergeant Paul Cortez, Private first class
Bryan Howard and Jesse Spielman could face the death penalty if convicted.

The hearing will also decide whether to charge another soldier, Anthony
Yribe, with failing to report what he later found out about the killings.

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