Witnesses testifying US general opposed probe of abuse and corruption at Afghan army hospital
Source: AP
WASHINGTON — The American general who led NATO’s training mission in Afghanistan opposed an inspector general’s investigation into “Auschwitz-like conditions” and corruption at the main Afghan army military hospital, two retired U.S. military officers are telling Congress.
The retired officers, in testimony prepared for a House hearing Tuesday, said Lt. Gen. William Caldwell IV admonished subordinates for contacting the Defense Department’s inspector general about Dawood National Military Hospital.
Caldwell is now head of the Army North command and senior commander of Fort Sam Houston in Texas. North Command spokesman Col. Wayne Shanks said, “I am sure that Lt. Gen. Caldwell would welcome the opportunity to respond to any inquiry and I’m confident that once the facts are presented and examined, all allegations will be proven false.”
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee said Caldwell could be called to testify in a future hearing.
Retired Army Col. Gerald Carozza Jr., who was chief of legal development assisting the Afghan Army and defense ministry, said Caldwell at one point expressed concern that the request was too close to the 2010 congressional elections. But Carozza added that in his view, Caldwell “did not want the request to go to the DOD IG (Department of Defense inspector general) at all.”
Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/witnesses-testifying-us-general-opposed-probe-of-abuse-and-corruption-at-afghan-army-hospital/2012/07/24/gJQA1sIx5W_story.html
Photos show alleged neglect at U.S.-funded Afghan hospital
(CBS News) Congressional investigators and observers in the U.S. military allege that injured Afghan soldiers at Dawood National Military Hospital routinely died of simple infections and were allegedly even starved to death as Afghan doctors and nurses demanded bribes for food and basic care. Congressional investigators and the Inspector General are looking into whether some military officials took steps to cover up investigations into the hospital's conditions.
At least $180 million was spent by the U.S. government on the hospital over nine years, according to congressional investigators.
U.S. officials began documenting rampant corruption at the hospital as far back as 2006 including stolen pharmaceuticals and counterfeit medicine being used on Afghan soldiers. By 2010, military officials on site began documenting maggots on open wounds, patients starved for weeks, surgery performed with no sedatives and bedsores so deep that bones showed through.
Several military whistleblowers have told congressional investigators that some military higher-ups, including Lt. General William Caldwell, took steps to delay investigations into the hospital in 2010 because it might prove politically embarrassing. The Pentagon didn't comment on behalf of Lt. Gen. Caldwell, stating "we do not comment on matters currently being investigated by the Inspector General."
more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31727_162-57478238-10391695/photos-show-alleged-neglect-at-u.s.-funded-afghan-hospital/
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