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CNN Live Sunday

Former Senator Kerrey Says Killings During Patrol in Vietnam Were Accidental

Aired April 29, 2001 - 17:49   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN ANCHOR: Five former Navy SEALs who fought with him are backing up the account given by former Senator Bob Kerrey about recent revelations that his group inadvertently killed civilians during the Vietnam War. The statement released by Kerrey comes as "The New York Times" publishes a detailed account of those shootings.

CNN's Kathleen Koch has the latest on this new and continuing controversy.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOB KERREY, FRM. U.S. SENATOR: We fired, and we fired because we were fired upon.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): After more than a week of damage control, the detailed allegations former Senator Bob Kerrey had braced for are public; an article in "The New York Times" magazine about a 1969 attack by Kerrey's Navy SEAL team on a Vietnam village in which one team member alleges they rounded up and shot 15 civilians.

Kerrey denies that, saying they thought they were attacking Viet Cong soldiers. He and five other SEALs on the mission met Friday to discuss for the first time the attack and the allegations. In a statement afterwards, they said, quote: "No order was given or received to execute innocent women, old men and children, as has been described by some. We took fire and we returned fire."

For former colleagues who also fought in Vietnam, it is explanation enough.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: None of them have run away from the fact that indeed children and women were killed. They were, and they regret it all, deeply. But there were instances where things just get out of control.

SEN. CHUCK HAGEL (R), NEBRASKA: You didn't know who the enemy was. You didn't know who he was or who she was. They didn't dress in uniforms.

KOCH: There is debate over whether a Pentagon inquiry into the attack is necessary. SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: Whether there should be an investigation or not, I would leave to the Pentagon. I don't think that Bob or the members of his team would feel any discomfort associated with an investigation, particularly if the American people feel that's necessary.

SEN. MAX CLELAND (D), GEORGIA: I'm on the Armed Services Committee, and I do not believe an investigation will be forthcoming. I think this is a tragic accident, an accident of war.

KOCH: "Time" magazine reports Kerrey is considering surrendering the Bronze Star he received after the attack. A spokesman, though, says it was not his understanding that Kerrey has been considering returning the medal.

(on camera): At this point, it's unclear how Kerrey's revelation about his Vietnam service will impact his political future. Some, though, hope that his actions will give other veterans of the painful war the strength to share their experiences.

Kathleen Koch for CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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