Rules of War

Re “U.S. Forces Beat Afghans After Deadly Assault, Ex-Prisoners Say,” Feb. 11: The U.S. government’s negligence to aggressively investigate and hold accountable those responsible for alleged war abuses such as the reported killings of Taliban prisoners--many with their hands bound--in a fort near Mazar-i-Sharif, or the recent killings of 21 innocent Afghans in the village of Oruzgan, suggests a shameful duplicity in an effort to cover up war crimes committed by U.S. forces. The rule of law and our basic principles of justice cannot be sacrificed in a blind war against terrorism. If we allow that to happen, we have already lost the war.

Angel D. Sistos

San Clemente