Cease fire, Malama Makua

Malama Makua, the activist band seeking to drive the Army out of its Makua Valley training area, needs to get off the Army's back and let the soldiers get on with their drills.

First Malama Makua said a machine gunner firing from a helicopter had rounds hitting outside the impact area. An investigation showed that to be inaccurate. Then, three MM representa- tives watching the training said two artillery rounds were fired too early. The Army denied it. After that, MM asserted that 20 soldiers were not properly equipped as firefighters. Not so, said the Army.

Malama Makua agreed earlier this month that the Army could resume training in the valley in exchange for which the Army promised to complete an environmental impact study within three years. Fair enough. But the agreement does not permit MM to play field marshal, constantly harassing the soldiers and their commanders who have better things to do with their time and the taxpayers' money.

--Richard Halloran

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