Editor of The New Republic Stands by His Writer Who Doesn't Defend Himself

(Fox News) - Army private Scott Beauchamp — who wrote a supposedly eyewitness account of cruelty by members of the American military in Iraq — refused to defend his accusations when questioned by the editor of New Republic magazine.

But the Washington Post reports that editor Franklin Foer continues to defend the articles — and insist that other unidentified soldiers corroborate Beachamp's accounts. Foer also said that while Beauchamp refused to stand by his stories during their conversation — he did not recant them either. And he insists Beauchamp was under duress because a superior officer was in the room during their talk. He says Beauchamp defended his accounts in a subsequent conversation with no superiors present.

The official army report into the allegations says Beauchamp — "is not a credible source." It finds Beauchamp's account of soldiers mocking a disfigured Iraqi woman was — "completely fabricated." It says claims that Beauchamp and others targeted dogs with their armored vehicles were — "completely unfounded."