Soldier on trial for Iraq refusal
US army officer court-martialled for calling Iraq war illegal and morally wrong.
“As the order to take part in an illegal act is ultimately unlawful as well, I must as an officer of honour and integrity refuse that order” First Lieutenant Ehren Watada |
Watada had hoped to make his case against the war in court, but John Head, the military judge presiding over the case, denied the defence’s request to argue the legality of the war, saying the question cannot be answered in a military court.
Watada is the first army officer to publicly refuse to deploy to Iraq [AFP] |
Despite having already been charged, he spoke out again in August, at a Veterans for Peace rally in Seattle.
Watada said: “Though the American soldier wants to do right, the illegitimacy of the occupation itself, the policies of this administration, and the rules of engagement of desperate field commanders will ultimately force them to be party to war crime.”
Army ‘betrayal’
Army prosecutors say Watada’s behaviour was dangerous to “the mission” and morale of other soldiers.
Captain Dan Kuecker said at one hearing: “He betrayed his fellow soldiers who are now serving in Iraq.”
Colonel Dan Baggio, a US army spokesperson, said: “[It] sets a bad example for the soldiers underneath that person. It sets a bad precedent. At that point in time you’ve lost good order and discipline. You can’t have that in a military organisation.”