'It's fun to shoot people'

2005-02-04 09:59

John J Lumpkin

Washington - The commandant of the marine corps said on Thursday he has counselled a senior subordinate for saying publicly, "It's fun to shoot some people."

Lieutenant General James N. Mattis, an infantry officer who has commanded marines in both Afghanistan and Iraq, made the comments on Tuesday while speaking to a forum in San Diego about strategies for the war on terror. Mattis is the commanding general of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command.

According to an audio recording of Mattis' remarks, he said, "Actually, it's a lot of fun to fight. You know, it's a hell of a hoot. ... It's fun to shoot some people. I'll be right upfront with you, I like brawling."

He added, "You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil," Mattis continued. "You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them."

His comments were met with laughter and applause from the audience.

Spoke with candour

Thursday, General Mike Hagee, commandant of the marine corps, issued a statement saying, "Lieutenant General Mattis often speaks with a great deal of candour. I have counselled him concerning his remarks and he agrees he should have chosen his words more carefully."

Hagee also said, "While I understand that some people may take issue with the comments made by him, I also know he intended to reflect the unfortunate and harsh realities of war."

Marine General Peter Pace, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he would let Mattis address his comments himself, but, he said, "All of us who are leaders have a responsibility in our words and our actions to provide the right example all the time for those who look to us for leadership."

Pace spoke to a Pentagon press conference. Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said he had not read Mattis' words and deferred to Pace.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim civil liberties group, called on the Pentagon to discipline Mattis for the remarks.

"We do not need generals who treat the grim business of war as a sporting event," said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad in a statement. "These disturbing remarks are indicative of an apparent indifference to the value of human life." - AP

- SAPA