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Court-martial for officer opposed
to war in Iraq
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Pacifists call for mobilizations in the United
States
WASHINGTON, February 5.—In the
midst of anti-war demonstrations by pacifist
organizations, Lieutenant Ehren Watada, a first
officer who has refused to back his country’s
military adventure in Iraq, was set to be
court-martialed (tried in a military court).
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President Bush lied and I
felt
ashamed of my uniform, says
Lietenant Ehren Watada.
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Prensa Latina reported that
organizations have called on the U.S. people to
demonstrate against the war in various states, from
New York to Los Angeles, during the proceedings.
A Watada support group called for
mobilizations this Monday around the Fort Lewis base
in Washington, where the case is being heard.
According to press reports, the
lieutenant refused to participate in the occupation
of Iraq because he does not agree with the White
House’s policy there.
“I could never conceive of our
leader betraying the trust we had in him … As I read
about the level of deception the Bush administration
used to initiate and process this war, I was
shocked. I became ashamed of wearing the uniform,”
affirmed Watada in June 2006.
From then on, the officer took
part in press conferences and conversations with
veterans demanding a change of position on the part
of the U.S. administration, which infuriated
military leaders.
He is currently facing charges of
refusing to deploy with his unit and conduct
unbecoming an officer.
If the court finds him guilty he
could receive a four-year prison term, the maximum
sentence applied since the war on Vietnam for such
charges.
Translated by Granma
International
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Iraqi resistance brings down another U.S. helicopter
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