Iraq invasion death toll - the New Scientist.

[equus]

"Around 655,000 people have died in Iraq as a result of the US-led coalition invasion, according to the largest scientific analysis yet. That is 2.5% of the country's entire population. "

The death rate before the invasion was a fairly normal 5.5 per thousand people per year. Since March 2003, that figure has averaged 13.2, the researchers found. More worrying, the death rate has risen every year since the invasion: this year reaching 19.8 per thousand people per year, a near-fourfold increase over pre-invasion levels.

Of the deaths reported by the study population since 2003:

• 92% were from violent causes, more than half from gunshots.

• Only about a third of violent deaths were attributed to actions by coalition forces.

• The percentage of violent deaths attributed to coalition action has fallen, though the absolute number of deaths per year from that cause has climbed.

• Men and boys aged between 15 and 44 accounted for 59% of violent deaths, despite making up just 24% of the population.

• Despite disruptions in sanitation and health care, death from non-violent causes do not appear to have climbed significantly.

“An independent international body to monitor compliance with the Geneva Conventions and other humanitarian standards in conflict is urgently needed,� the researchers say. “With reliable data, those voices that speak out for civilians trapped in conflict might be able to lessen the tragic human cost of future wars.�

reference:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/...-revealed.html

I wonder how history will remember our actions.

These are historic times. The mission that you're accomplishing here in Iraq will go down in the history books as an incredibly important moment in the history of freedom and peace; an incredibly important moment of doing our duty to secure our homeland.

The progress here in Iraq has been remarkable when you really think about it. The people of this country suffered under the hands of a brutal tyrant -- and thanks to the United States forces and coalition forces, the people are liberated from the clutches of Saddam Hussein. (Applause.) America is safer, the world is better off and the Iraqi people have a chance to realize the great blessings of liberty because Saddam Hussein is no longer in power.

You know, one of the things that we've got to realize -- "we," the world, have got to realize, is that Iraqi women want their children to grow up in a peaceful world; they want their sons and daughters to be well educated; they want to live in peace and harmony; they want to be able to realize their hopes and aspirations. It's a common desire, and is one that you all are helping the Iraqis realize. It's important work, it's vital work, and it's historic work.

Bush 2006 - reference - http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/relea...0060613-2.html