Post reporter ties Iran to Sunni helo shoot-down

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Washington Post reporter Ernesto Londono suggested that Iran may have indirectly armed Sunni militias who downed several US helicopters. Londono made the claim without referencing any source and prior to US Joint Chiefs Chairman Peter Pace downplaying Iranian involvement arming Iraqi insurgents.

When Londono made the allegation, the Bush Administration was actively persuading the US public through leaks to news correspondents that Iran was providing advanced weaponry to Shia militias inside Iraq. No evidence to back up their claims was provided at the time.

Nonetheless, when reporting on a shoot-down of a US Apache helicopter over Taji Iraq by Sunni insurgents, Londono decided to include the Administration's charges. But he went a step further, saying that some Iranian weaponry "could have found their way into the hands of Sunni insurgents, who operate around Taji".

Without referencing any Administration official, Londono suggested that the Shia republic of Iran may have indirectly armed Sunni militias with weapons capable of downing US helicopters.

Due to this leap beyond Administration rhetoric--which would soon be challenged by the Joint Chiefs Chairman--cnnX wrote to Mr. Londono for clarification. Neither Londono, nor the Post's Ombudsman responded, so we followed up with a phone call to the Ombudsman's office.

We have also published an open letter to The Boston Globe's Ombudsman, since the Globe's online edition Boston.com featured Londono's article.


Open letter to The Boston Globe

Boston Globe Ombudsman
Boston Globe
Boston, MA
Feb. 16, 2007

Dear Globe Ombudsman,

This is an open letter regarding your Feb. 3rd, 2007 Boston.com article entitled "Helicopter is fourth to crash in two weeks" by Ernesto Londono. This article contains irresponsible and un-cited speculation that Shia-controlled Iran may be arming *Sunni* militias in Iraq. Speculation of Iran arming any militia (directly or indirectly) has no place in an article about a Sunni shoot-down of a US helicopter. This is similar to saying that Great Britain was arming the IRA after a bombing in northern Ireland.

Bringing Iran into this story is in-line with US rhetoric, but is out of touch with reality. Saudi Arabia has gone on record threatening to arm Sunni militias in Iraq, due to Iran's growing influence in the region. But for Iran to arm the Sunni's would be counterproductive and at odds with Iran's support for the ruling Shia majority in Iraq.

Could you please provide your rationalle for keeping this speculation inside this article. And now that it has been formally brought to your attention, could you please also inform me of what you intend to do to remedy/correct this irresponsible reporting.

I have attached a letter I sent to Ernesto Londono and the Washington Post Ombudsman on Feb. 3rd, 2007. As of the writing of this letter, I have received no response from either Mr. Londono or the Post's Ombudsman.

Thank you,

cnnX

cc: Deborah Howell, Washington Post Ombudsman

Article link: http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2007/02/03/helicopter_is_fourth_to_crash_in_two_weeks/


---Original Letter--

Erneso Londono
Washington Post
Washington DC
February 3, 2007

Dear Mr. Londono,

I just read your article on the recent loss of a US Apache helicopter in Iraq near Taji, reportedly shot down by Sunni insurgents.

You wrote "US officials believe Iran is supplying Shi'ite militias with new weapons." This could be true, but could you please provide me with any evidence and/or documentation (beyond official rhetoric) that supports these officials' claims?

Also, you then go on to assert that "Some of those weapons [that Iran allegedly supplied] could have found their way into the hands of Sunni insurgents, who operate around Taji."

While this also *could* be true, it is doubtful that Iran is providing--either directly or indirectly--advanced weaponry to their Sunni rivals.

Your reference to Iran arming Shia factions is not relevant in a story about Sunni insurgents bringing down a US helicopter. However, it is in line with recent US rhetoric blaming Iran for violence inside Iraq. This brings up an important question: is your article a report on a helicopter crash or PR for the present US policy toward Iran or both?

Furthermore, your assertion that Iran may be indirectly arming their rivals in Taji after these rivals brought down a US helicopter not only supports unsubstantiated US rhetoric, but is irresponsible and wildly speculative.

I once again request any evidence and/or documentation you have regarding Iran supplying advanced weaponry to any faction inside Iraq.

Thank you,

cnnX

cc: Deborah Howell, Washington Post Ombudsman

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