WEST: Court martial of US officer in Iraq

aljazeera.net ^ | Tuesday 18 November 2003, 13:08 Makka Time, 10:08 GMT

[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

[blackie]

Lt. Col. West is a hero ~ Big Bump!

[archy]

IF he is found guilty, the punishment could be severe or very minor.

If he is found guilty, even if the punishment is a token slap on the wrist, he remains a convicted felon, unable to run for public office or possess a firearm with which to defend himself from the sympathizers and terrorist supporters here in the US, who can be expected to target him for the publicity value of such an attack.

That he coluld receive a sentence for more than a 1-year period would constitute such a felony conviction. Let's hope they don't try to con him into being a *team player* by going along with such a deal.

Should that happen, the United States military and this government are no longer institutions worth being defended by the citizens therein, nor of any respect whatsoever.

-archy-/-

[archy]

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."

Those in the German military have a phrase that similarly reflects their view when superiors throw one of their number to the wolves as appeasement: ohne mich! Literally, *without me*. The meaning can be expressed as either *this outfit can now get along without me; I'm getting out while the getting is good* to *I don't need this $h!t....

Black-feathered observer and commentator on the American scene Daffy Duck expresses a very similar viewpoint in the American idiom with his oft-repeated statement *Not this little black duck, buthter!* Just so.

-archy-/-

[TruthNtegrity]

I don't where a defense fund for Col. West might be, but perhaps we can ask his wife if one has been set up. She was interviewed yesterday afternoon, inbetween the Jacko mess, and David Asman asked her for her email address so that people could write letters of SUPPORT.

If you have a problem with what Col. West did, please do not distress this cancer survivor and Mother of two with your opinions, okay?

Write to her at AngelaWest877@msn.com

[Happy2BMe]

This is total politcal BULLSHIT!

Loose the terrorists, handcuff our soldiers, and let the slaughter begin?

Wrong message. WRONG, wrong message.

[verity]

Should that happen, the United States military and this government are no longer institutions worth being defended by the citizens therein, nor of any respect whatsoever.

IMHO your are allowing your emotions to dominate over your seemingly keen intellect.

It is a fact of life that things are not always they way they ought to be [Rush L.] There is a process that must be followed and the outcome is always uncertain. If something is wrong, it must be changed through legitimate means. Ranting or wishful thinking are not acceptable planning options.

[Poohbah]

So you're saying that SFC Larry Keith Price from Delta is a liar? I'll be glad to pass your opinion along....

Do you know the difference between a fairy tale and a sea story?

[Poohbah]

You made a declarative statement that Field Grade officers do not get 15's. And your proof? "Every case that I know of. . ."

This is what I originally wrote:

"I have NEVER heard of a field-grade officer getting Article 15'd."

Would you please either (a) read and correctly comprehend my posts, or (b) shut the f*** up?

[Poohbah]

Dummy...it's called psycho-ops and is indeed lawful and encouraged.

Actually, threatening violence isn't encouraged. Once you've demonstrated that you are unwilling to actually carry out the threat, the prisoner's resistance to future interrogation is much higher than before.

Suggested reading: "The Interrogator" by Raymond Toliver.

[Poohbah]

You keep suggesting that everyone else who is Pro West wait and see what comes out.

I don't suggest that at all. I don't say "wait and see." I say "you're going to get slammed."

Then you proclaim him guilty.

Based on information that's in the public domain, that's out there, if you're willing to look beyond what his spin machine says...yeah, he's guilty.

Or were you one of those folks who believed Clinton when he said "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Monica Lewinsky?"

[archy]

So you're saying that SFC Larry Keith Price from Delta is a liar? I'll be glad to pass your opinion along....

Do you know the difference between a fairy tale and a sea story?

You said nothing about either *fairy tales* nor *sea stories*. The phrase you used was *pure 100% Grade-A BS* .

... I know a couple Rangers who jumped in Grenada, and this story is pure 100% Grade-A BS. --Poobah.

[Poohbah]

Well, in the sense that it never actually happened, yeah, it's 100% Grade-A BS.

It sure makes a great sea story, though.

[Conspiracy Guy]

How can I be slammed? Certainly not by you in anyway. I am merely supporting his actions under these circumstances. You in turn seem to think this is a football game. Crawl back in your cubicle and take a nap.

[Terriergal]

IG investigations are not conducted just for laughs, especially in a combat zone.

Well, with too many libs with their hands in the pot, they surely might be conducted just for laughs.

[Terriergal]

Based on information that's in the public domain, that's out there, if you're willing to look beyond what his spin machine says...yeah, he's guilty. Or were you one of those folks who believed Clinton when he said "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Monica Lewinsky?"

NO one here is saying they don't believe he did it. That's what you're insinuating with the Clinton line.

We're saying it was probably justified, in a combat zone.

[longfellow]

This is Bulls***! I talked to a Marine about this, we both agreed this is almost exactly what they did to Patton in WW2. The Marine I was talking to said there is a petition going around.
We are not fighting by the rules and codes of war. Can we get a copy of the rules.... the ones that say it's ok to fly hi-jacked planes into buildings? If that's in the rules then where does the enemy draw the line?

[Terriergal]

INteresting....

[Conspiracy Guy]

Save your breath. He is chanting like a zombie.

[Poohbah]

NO one here is saying they don't believe he did it. That's what you're insinuating with the Clinton line.

Do you believe that what he said he did is ALL that he did?

We're saying it was probably justified, in a combat zone.

And I'm saying that you're buying West's spin as opposed to actually digging up the facts.

[Calpernia]

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)

is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love

believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)

requires excessive admiration
has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations

is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others

is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her
shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

Narcissistic patients try to sustain an image of perfection and personal invincibility for themselves and attempt to project that impression to others as well. Physical illness may shatter this illusion, and a patient may lose the feeling of safety inherent in a cohesive sense of self. This loss precipitates a panicky sensation that "my world is falling to pieces," and the patient feels a sense of personal fragmentation.

Interesting.....