Agence France Presse, 09 May 2007
WASHINGTON: The US military is now posting video clips on YouTube showing US troops in combat and insurgents being bombed in a "boots on the ground" perspective of the Iraq war, officials said yesterday.
Multi-National Forces Iraq created a channel on the popular video-sharing website in March to show the clips, which capture the intensity of combat while generally showing US troops in a positive light.
Pentagon spokesmen were unable to explain what the military hopes to accomplish with the "MNFIRAQ" channel, but it appeared to be part of a push to find new ways to gain support for the deeply unpopular war.
"This is a specific effort to get information out about Iraq," said Colonel Gary Keck, a spokesman for the Pentagon.
White House spokesman Tony Snow said he thought that airing the video clips of the Iraq fighting on the YouTube channel was "a good idea ... because it's important sometimes to be able to get ... images out that ... portray a fuller picture of what's going on on the battlefield".
The brief slice-of-life-and-death videos carry titles such as More Fighting in Baqubah, Battle on Haifa Street, "Soft Knock" Search in Baghdad, and Counter Mortar Operation. One shows US troops helping the victim of a car bombing, another returning a freed hostage to his family.
Soldiers fire their weapons at unseen combatants in some shots, and run through smoke-filled streets in others. But in most, death remains somewhere beyond the frame.
"MNF-I established this YouTube channel to give viewers around the world a 'boots on the ground' perspective of Operation Iraqi Freedom from those who are fighting it," a statement posted on the channel says.
"Video clips document action as it appeared to personnel on the ground and in the air as it was shot," it says.
"We will only edit video clips for time, security reasons and for over-disturbing or offensive images."
In Counter Mortar Operation, viewers are presented with an aerial view of six Iraqi insurgents who are said to be firing a mortar, then breaking it down and piling into their car to make their escape.
They speed down a country road, seemingly unaware they are being watched. A missile then enters the frame, followed by a fiery explosion.
"Coalition air power destroys vehicle, mortar and insurgents," the caption reads.
Typical of the emailed reactions to the clip, which the website says has been viewed more than 39,000 times, was one signed dboy4ever:
"Die terrorists and people who sympathize with them. You messed with the wrong country," he wrote.
Sometimes viewers take away a different message.
"I am sure the Iraqi freedom fighters don't like that the American terrorists are on their turf. I guess that's why u'll never win this war," wrote Lleuwelynn in response to one of the videos.
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Citation: "US army posting to YouTube," Agence France Presse, 09 May 2007.
Original URL: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/printpage/0,5942,21695956,00.html
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