Posted on 11/19/2003 8:35:31 PM PST by Bobibutu
Court martial of US officer in Iraq
Tuesday 18 November 2003, 13:08 Makka Time, 10:08 GMT A court martial hearing against a high-ranking US military official on charges of beating up an Iraqi detainee has begun in Tikrit.
Court martial of US officer in Iraq
Lieutenant-Colonel Allen West is charged on three counts - beating Yahya Hamudi, threatening to kill him and firing his gun near the detainee's head during interrogation on 20 August.
The hearing, which started on Tuesday, marks the first time that legal proceedings have been initiated against a senior US officer in Iraq.
West's driver, appearing as a witness, said the officer waved his gun in the air and later fired it after Hamudi refused to talk. The driver, Private Michael Johnson, 20, added that the Iraqi was beaten during the interrogation at a detention centre in Taji, outside Baghdad. "When he was not giving information that was pleasing to the interrogator or translator, we'd use abusing tactics, mainly striking him," Johnson said. Asked how hard the detainee was hit, he said: "We weren't hitting him as hard as we possibly could."
The soldiers later pushed the detainee's head into a sandbox used by soldiers to clear their weapons, where West fired shots near Hamudi's head, said Johnson.
Demanding names
West wanted the Iraqi man to divulge the names of people who allegedly wanted to assassinate him. Johnson said Hamudi was an Iraqi policeman who prior to his detention had taken part in raids with US troops. An officer who had questioned West after the incident said the defendant had admitted to firing near Hamudi's head and that soldiers beat the detainee, who was yelling and screaming.
Two-day trial
The proceedings are expected to last at least two days, and West's civilian lawyer, retired lieutenant-colonel Neal Puckett, said his client was unlikely to testify before Wednesday. The pre-trial hearing was held in an octagonal, marble-lined room in one of the palaces used as the headquarters of the US army's 4th Infantry Division in Tikrit, the hometown of ousted president Saddam Hussein, 180km north of Baghdad. A lieutenant colonel chairs the pre-trial hearing, after which he will write a report recommending to the commander who directed the investigation what action should be taken. A military spokesman said the proceedings were the first against an officer in Iraq reported to occupation offices in Baghdad.
Reuters
Did you read THE INTERROGATOR? I'm assuming you're referencing Hanns Joachim Scharff? Great book, by the way, I thinks your right 'bout the problems with obtaining info.
That aside, it comes down to who has the better pr campaign. The IG or (the much maligned) Col. West. Col. West gets the sympathy vote hands down. Unless you or the IG starts showing the hypocrisy shown by his punishment for like acts, it becomes a moot point.
The facts--all of the facts, not just what LTC West deigned to tell you in his pre-hearing spinfest--will come out at trial.
When that happens, your lunch menu options will consist of Crow Cordon Bleu, baked crow, Kentucky Fried Crow, teriyaki crow, blackened crow, Crow Maryland, crow cacciatore, crow l'orange, Crow Marengo...I think you get the picture.
In this case, it truly doesn't 'fit'. They must Acquit ! ...
Are you privy to some information that has not been released to us, the great unwashed?
If so, then enlighten us.
While I do not have the knee-jerk reaction to this that some others appear to have, I certainly am aware of the provisions in the UCMJ for "extenuating and mitigating circumstances".
Might this be a case for the presentation of such?
No blind, unreasoning support for the LTC on my part, just a recognition, based upon a year or two of experience, that things in a combat situation are usually not cut and dried, and IG investigations are usually biased one way or the other. Personally, I think the office of the Inspector General is populated with political panderers, but hey, what do I know?
I think in the end, that LTC West will be severely reprimanded for his actions, but the aformentioned "extenuating and mitigating circumstances" will be brought to play, which will certainly tend to lessen the impact of the charges.
True justice demands no less.
And after reading some of LTC West's comments, I think he would agree and would accept a reprimand, if such came with an assurance of an Honorable Retirement.
They could even deny him the Meritorious Service Medal or something else equally outrageous.
In any event, I really don't think he's going to Leavenworth.
We shall see.
Exactly what comabt action have you been involved in?
If this officer is given any punishment whatsoever, within the following week twice as many Americans and civilians will die than in the previous month.
Some people just won't get it.
There are cultural differences.
Not all cultures are of equal value.
FN's Steve Harrigan is doing a fine job of reporting on the trial ~ ending his reports yesterday with a description of LTC West's Soldiers in tears following the good Col's comment about being willing to lay down his life for his troops.
In this day, in this war, with this enemy, the Army would be suicidal to make a bad example of LTC West! They may as well replace Uncle Sam with Neville Chamberlain on the recruiting posters. People will hear the slogan "An Army of ONE" and say, "no wonder."
For you, and people like you, I wish the following fate: find yourself in a burning building, and faced with a sign reading: Entrance Only. Not an exit!.
Twit!
Unless, of course he was a ringknocker and his fellow buddies from the West Point Protective and Benevolence Association made the problem go away entirely. Everything from DUIs and sexual harassment to rape and drug smuggling.
-archy-/-
I know a couple Rangers who jumped in Grenada, and this story is pure 100% Grade-A BS.
So you're saying that SFC Larry Keith Price from Delta is a liar? I'll be glad to pass your opinion along....
-archy-/-
The GCM Convening Authority is required, by law, to ascertain whether or not the allegation of a violation of the UCMJ has substance.
An Article 32 [UCMJ]Investigation thus has been ordered to determine that.
IF there is a Court Martial, he can be found either Guilty or Not Guilty.
IF he is found guilty, the punishment could be severe or very minor.
If the GCMCA decided not to pursue this, he would be in violation of the UCMJ.
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