War Without End

Guest

http://ussliberty.org/margolis.txt

http://www.arabnews.com/SArticle.asp?ID=1634&sct=Uss%20liberty&

http://www.islamonline.net/english/Views/2002/09/article06.shtml

http://www.warwithoutend.co.uk/middle-east-and-asia/2002/09/04/zionist-worldnetdaily-com-spins-for-zionist-cristol.php

-Eric Margolis, Toronto Sun, April 29, 2001

Toronto Sun <editor@sunpub.com> | April 29, 2001

A new look at Israel's bombing of the USS Liberty

By ERIC MARGOLIS
<margolis@foreigncorrespondent.com> Contributing
Foreign Editor

On the fourth day of the 1967 Arab-Israeli War,
the intelligence ship USS Liberty was steaming
slowly in international waters, 14 miles off the
Sinai Peninsula.

Israeli armoured forces were racing deep into the
Sinai in hot pursuit of the retreating Egyptian
Army.

Liberty, a World War II freighter, had been
converted into an intelligence vessel by the
top-secret U.S. National Security Agency, and
packed with the latest signals and electronic
interception equipment.

The ship bristled with antennae and electronic
"ears" including TRSSCOMM, which delivered
real-time intercepts to Washington.

It was to monitor communications of the
belligerents in the third Arab-Israeli war: Israel
and her foes, Egypt, Syria and Jordan.

At 0800 hrs, 8 June, 1967, eight Israeli recon
flights flew over Liberty, which was flying a
large American flag. At 1400, waves of Israeli
Mystere and Mirage-III fighter-bombers attacked
with rockets, napalm, and cannon, concentrating on
the ship's antennae and electronic dishes. Liberty
was left afire, listing. Eight of her crew lay
dead, 100 wounded, including Commander William
McGonagle.

At 1424, Israeli torpedo boats attacked, raking
the burning Liberty with 20 and 40 mm shells. At
1431 a torpedo hit the Liberty amidships, where
the signals intelligence systems were located.
Twenty-five more Americans died.

At 1515, the crew were ordered to abandon ship.
Israeli warships poured machine-gun fire into the
life rafts, sinking two. As American sailors were
being massacred, a rescue mission by U.S. Sixth
Fleet carrier aircraft was aborted on orders from
the White House.

An hour after the attack, Israeli warships and
planes returned. Commander McGonagle gave the
order to repel boarders, but the Israelis,
probably fearing intervention by the Sixth Fleet,
departed.

Liberty was shattered but defiant, her flag still
flying. Israeli attacks killed 34 U.S. seamen and
wounded 171 out of a crew of 297, the worst loss
of U.S. naval personnel from hostile action since
World War II.

Less than an hour after the attack, Israel told
Washington its forces had committed a "tragic
error." Later, Israel said it had mistaken Liberty
for an ancient Egyptian horse transport.

U.S. Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, and Joint
Chiefs of Staff head, Adm. Thomas Moorer, insisted
the Israeli attack was deliberate.

So did three CIA reports. One asserted Israel's
defence minister, Gen. Moshe Dayan, had ordered
the attack. Reports that the savaging of Liberty
was deliberate were hushed up by President Lyndon
Johnson and Defence Secretary Robert McNamara. The
White House and Congress accepted Israel's
explanation. Israel later paid a token reparation
of US$6 million.

But surviving Liberty crew members would not be
silenced.

They kept demanding an inquiry and tried to tell
their story of a deliberate attack to the media.

Israel's government worked behind the scenes to
thwart these efforts, going so far as having
pro-Israeli groups accuse Liberty's survivors of
being "anti-Semites" and "Israel-haters."

Major TV networks cancelled interviews with the
crew. A book about Liberty by James Ennes was
dropped from distribution.

The attack on Liberty faded into obscurity until
last week, when intelligence expert James Bamford
came out with Body of Secrets, his latest book
about the National Security Agency. In a stunning
revelation, Bamford writes that unknown to Israel,
a U.S. Navy EC-121 intelligence aircraft, flying
overhead, electronically recorded the attack. The
U.S. aircraft crew provides evidence Israeli
pilots knew they were attacking a U.S. Navy ship
flying the American flag.

Why try to sink a vessel of a benefactor and ally?
Most likely because Liberty's intercepts
contradicted Israel's claim, made at the war's
start on June 5, that Egypt had attacked Israel,
and that Israel's air assault on three Arab
nations was in retaliation. In fact, Israel began
the war by a devastating, Pearl Harbor-style
attack that caught the Arabs in bed and destroyed
their air forces.

Washington had warned Israel not to invade Syria,
which had remained inactive while Israel fought
Egypt. Bamford says Israel's planned offensive
against Syria was abruptly postponed when Liberty
appeared off Sinai, then launched once it was
knocked out of action. Israel's claim Syria had
attacked first could have been disproved by
Liberty.

Liberty's intercepts also may have shown Israel
seized upon rising Arab-Israeli tensions in
May-June, 1967 to launch a long-planned war to
invade and annex the West Bank, Jerusalem, Golan
and Sinai.

Far more shocking was Washington's response.
Writes Bamford: "Despite the overwhelming evidence
that Israel attacked the ship and killed American
servicemen deliberately, the Johnson
administration and Congress covered up the entire
incident."

Why? Domestic politics. Johnson preferred to cover
up the attack rather than anger a key constituency
and fiscal backer of the Democrats. Congress was
even less eager to touch this "third rail" issue.

Commander McGonagle was quietly awarded the Medal
of Honor for his and his men's heroism - not in
the White House, but in an obscure ceremony at the
Washington Navy Yard. Crew members' graves were
inscribed, "Died in the Eastern Mediterranean."

A member of President Johnson's staff believed
that Johnson offered Jewish liberals unconditional
backing of Israel, and a coverup of the Liberty
attack, in exchange for liberals toning down their
criticism of his policies in Vietnam.

Israel, which claims it fought a war of
self-defence in 1967, will be displeased by
Bamford's revelations. Those who believe Israel
illegally occupies the West Bank and Golan will be
emboldened.

More important, the U.S. government's coverup of
the premeditated attack on Liberty has now burst
into the open and demands an investigation. After
34 years, the voices of Liberty's dead and wounded
seamen must finally be heard.

Eric can be reached by e-mail at
margolis@foreigncorrespondent.com.

Letters to the editor should be sent to
editor@sunpub.com.

Guest · Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2002 12:43 am Post subject: Truth

All the official investigations have shown that the USS liberty attack was a mistake and not intentional

Investigations of the Liberty Tragedy

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The tragic Israeli attack on the USS Liberty on June 8, 1967, has provoked a great deal of controversy and longstanding anger among surviving members of the crew. Though residual anger and suspicions remain, the incident was the subject of ten U.S. investigations and three more by Israel. In the American case, the full weight of the U.S. government was behind the investigations, which had access to all the relevant information. Though some accusations have been made suggesting the reports sough to hide facts or protect Israel, no credible evidence for these charges has been produced. Moreover, if the investigatory bodies had a bias, it was far more likely to be against Israel. Here is a summary of the investigations and their conclusions:

Investigation Date Conclusion
U.S. Navy Court of Inquiry June 10-18, 1967 The attack was a case of mistaken identity. Calm conditions and slow ship speed may have made American flag difficult to identify. No indication the attack was intended against U.S. ship.

CIA Report June 13, 1967 The attack was not made in malice and was a mistake.

Joint Chiefs of Staff Fact Finding Team (Russ Report) June 9-20, 1967 Outlined "findings of fact," bud did not make any findings about the actual attack.

Clifford Report July 18, 1967 No premeditation, but "inexcusable failures" by Israeli forces constituing "gross negligence."

Senate Committee on Foreign Relations 1967 Secretary of Defense McNamara testified he supported conclusion that the attack was not intentional.

Senate Armed Services Committee Feb. 1, 1968 No conclusion. Secretary McNamara makes comparison of attack on Liberty to that on Pueblo with regard to uncertainty about what was happening at the time of the incident.

House Appropriations Committee April-May 1968 Navy communications "foulup" and no conclusion regarding Israeli actions. Much of report remains classified.

House Armed Services Committee May 10, 1971 Critical of Navy communications, no conclusion regarding Israeli actions.

Senate Select Committee on Intelligence 1979 Responding to critical book by Liberty crewman James Ennes, Senate investigation found no merit to his claim attack was intentional.

National Security Agency 1981 Liberty was mistaken for an Egyptian ship as a result of miscalculations and egregious errors.

House Armed Services Committee June 1991 Responding to request from Liberty Veterans Association, Subcommitte on Investigations launched probe that concluded there was no evidence to support allegations made by the Association and no reason for further investigation.

Israeli Investigations
Investigation Date Conclusion
Ram Ron Commission June 12, 1967 The attack was made "neither maliciously nor in gross negligence, but as the result of a bona fide mistake. Also notes that the Liberty made a mistake as well by carelessly approaching a war area.

Preliminary Inquiry July 1967 There was no malicious intent and no deviation from the standard of reasonable conduct that would justify a court-martial.

IDF History 1982 The attack was a result of an "innocent error."

Guest · Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2002 1:00 am Post subject:

Did you have a congressional hearing into the USS cole?

If theres no problem.... whats the problem ?

Get rid of the story, its been around a long time and the amount of defence and counter defence expanded on this could be cleared up and the crew after all are just asking for this.

They aint asking for the world, they would like to see it put to rest more than anyone.

Whats wrong with a congressional hearing?

Then you wouldnt have to defend anything and that post can stop apeearing on every message board twice a day from here to timbuktu.

At least some of the others are original

Guest · Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2002 1:06 am Post subject:

From: Admiral Thomas H. Moorer

Subject: Attack on the USS Liberty June 8, 1967

Date: June 8, 1997

I have never believed that the attack on the USS Liberty was
a case of mistaken identity. That is ridiculous.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////

But I was never
satisfied with the Israeli explanation. Their sustained attack to
disable and sink Liberty precluded an assault by accident or some
trigger-happy local commander. Through diplomatic channels we
refused to accept their explanations. I didn't believe them then, and
I don't believe them to this day. The attack was outrageous."

Rusk's memoirs: "As I Saw It"
Secretary of state.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////

"We saw no need to inform Israel or any other party to the hostilities of the
Liberty's location since the ship was on a peaceful mission and was in
international waters. I have seen a report alleging that the Israeli
Government had asked us about the presence of the ship prior to the attack,
but that report is not true."

-- President Lyndon B. Johnson in a
letter to Pennsylvania Congressman
Joseph M. McDade

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

"A man who is good enough to shed his blood
for his country is good enough to be given a square
deal afterwards. More than that no man is entitled to,
and less than that no man shall have."
--------------------- Theodore Roosevelt

Guest · Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2002 4:25 am Post subject: a very poor showing

*somehow* the "to:" was left off of the *memo" by moorer. it was addressed to the ameu [americans for middle east understanding.] not an unbias group. also nowhere does moorer state anything but his personal opinion.

on the otherhand there's the published statement by the cia director, admiral turner, from 1978 which was "It remains our best judgment that the Israeli attack the USS Liberty was not made in malice toward the United States and was a mistake." thus here is the official cia position, stated by the cia director.

as for rusk; he's stating his own personal opinion, and indeed the israeli "explanation" was accepted, as the incident was closed.

as for the *letter* by lbj; it has nothing at all to do with israeli intentions. besides, it can't be shown to have even been sent, since it's a draft of a suggested letter from the state department, with the further suggestion that the letter, if sent, be sent by a staff person. notice that there's no date for this *letter.*

so it's a few red herrings - par for the course by those who continue to be so desperate.

*Mutt · Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2002 4:39 am Post subject:

Britain, Germany and Japan are our allies. Vietnam may be getting there.

How many Americans were intentionally killed by those people?

Will any amount of "Congressional hearings" change the future? Besides, Congressional hearings are political hack jobs as often as not.

Guest

http://www.warwithoutend.co.uk/middle-east-and-asia/2002/09/04/zionist-worldnetdaily-com-spins-for-zionist-cristol.php

Guest · Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2002 4:47 pm Post subject:

*somehow* the "to:" was left off of the *memo" by moorer. it was addressed to the ameu [americans for middle east understanding.] not an unbias group. also nowhere does moorer state anything but his personal opinion.

on the otherhand there's the published statement by the cia director, admiral turner, from 1978 which was "It remains our best judgment that the Israeli attack the USS Liberty was not made in malice toward the United States and was a mistake." thus here is the official cia position, stated by the cia director.

as for rusk; he's stating his own personal opinion, and indeed the israeli "explanation" was accepted, as the incident was closed.

as for the *letter* by lbj; it has nothing at all to do with israeli intentions. besides, it can't be shown to have even been sent, since it's a draft of a suggested letter from the state department, with the further suggestion that the letter, if sent, be sent by a staff person. notice that there's no date for this *letter.*

so it's a few red herrings - par for the course by those who continue to be so desperate.

Somehow the to was left out? What the heck does it matter who it was said to, its who said it.

Personal opinions you mention twice, whos personal opinions are they for goodness sakes?

They have no experience or even in Rusks case firsthand knowledge?

Id suggest the desperation is coming from one side in this debate.

If theres no problem, whats the problem, put it to bed, and give the crew and their supportors their congressional hearing. If as another poster states congressional hearings are neither here nor there, then again whats the problem then, whats the beef? Let em have it and let em go away.

Put the thing to bed and you wont have to get so desperate.

Guest · Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2002 7:09 pm Post subject:

Somehow the to was left out? What the heck does it matter who it was said to, its who said it.

Personal opinions you mention twice, whos personal opinions are they for goodness sakes?

They have no experience or even in Rusks case firsthand knowledge?

Id suggest the desperation is coming from one side in this debate.

If theres no problem, whats the problem, put it to bed, and give the crew and their supportors their congressional hearing. If as another poster states congressional hearings are neither here nor there, then again whats the problem then, whats the beef? Let em have it and let em go away.

Put the thing to bed and you wont have to get so desperate.

it's desperation to think that based on such meaningless posts, congress, or any other part of the us gov't is paying attention to various personal opinions expressed log after the fact, as well as such misleading representations as posted regarding the claimed letter from lbj.

congress has looked at the issue, as late as 1991-92. the claims were found without merit. other agencies have done so over the years, again, no merit was found to such claims as being spammed on this board.

it's just fun once and awhile to show how silly are these posts.

Guest · Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2002 7:30 pm Post subject:

Id suggest any Americans who read any of this, dont take any notice of either of us then and visit http://usliberty.org and make up their own minds about their own vets.

You dont need me or the previous poster to make your minds up for you. And look at the links and visit some of the other sites.

This is not just a little spat on this message board as the previous poster would like you to think.

And it isnt going to go away no matter how some would like to see it go away.

Yes it is amusing to see the vitriol that usually comes out from one side when the Liberty is mentioned. The crew by the way they would tell us are all anti semites. Theyve had all that thrown at them, and for what?

For wanting their colleauges put to rest and some closure, which like the poster above doesnt seem to want.

War Without End

The global war against terror, news about the illegal invasion of Iraq, the corporate puppet presidents, the war criminal Tony Blair, September 11th 2001, the USS Liberty and New World Order crimes against humanity.

NSA Documents Reveal Israeli USS Liberty Attack Deliberate