*Ø* Blogmanac | Expect more deserters as Iraq force morale hits low
So say US veterans groups
The World Today – Tuesday, 13 April , 2004 12:17:53
Reporter: Karen Percy
TANYA NOLAN: There are fresh reports that the morale of US troops in Iraq is very low in the wake of the hostage takings and intensifying attacks.
And there seems to be growing resentment within the ranks of the military.
On the ABC's Lateline last night two soldiers, who've escaped to Canada in the hopes of seeking refugee status, spoke about their concerns over the war.
Some veterans groups in the US believe there'll be more deserters to come.
Karen Percy reports.
KAREN PERCY: Jeremy Hinzman and Brandon Hughey are far from the frontlines in Iraq, but they are engaged in a battle of their own, against the US administration and the war itself.
Last night, they appeared on the ABC's Lateline program from Canada.
Jeremy Hinzman is 25-years-old from South Dakota. He joined the US military in 2001, and served in Afghanistan, but he was not prepared to participate in this war.
JEREMY HINZMAN: Obviously, the Nuremberg Tribunal is saying, as a soldier you have a responsibility to not carry out illegal acts, and that's the logic I used for what I've done. If I were to go to Iraq, I would be taking part in a criminal enterprise.
KAREN PERCY: Since January he's been awaiting news from Canadian authorities, about whether they'll grant him refugee status.
Fellow military deserter, Brandon Huey, is also hoping that he won't have to return to the United States.
BRANDON HUGHEY: I feel that this war is wrong, and I'm not going to let myself be a part in it. Just because I signed a contract, doesn't mean I should throw out my moral principles.
KAREN PERCY: Their cases are being keenly watched by US veterans groups. David Cline is the National President of Veterans for Peace.
DAVID CLINE: There've been a few cases recently, there are several people up there in Canada right now, trying to get refugee status. And there's also been several refusers in the military. There was one guy, Camille O'Mahoney (phonetic), who had served in Iraq, he came home on leave and he refused to go back. And we don't know how many people are out there. There's at least 700 people at this point that they say are AWOL/ deserters. And we don't know where they're at, or what they are doing, but I think that these initial cases, and the outcome of them is going to have an impact on what happens after that.
KAREN PERCY: There is a network of groups across the United States helping those who wish to flee the military and the country. Not all of those groups are keen to talk publicly, but there is talk of establishing yet another underground railway to Canada.
At the very least, deserters face court marshal and perhaps jail time. Still, Veterans for Peace President, David Cline, believes there will be those prepared to voice their dissatisfaction.
DAVID CLINE: I think that the deserters and the resisters are just sort of the tip of the iceberg, and the real iceberg is all the guys in, and women, 'cause there is a large number of women in our military today, who when their time comes up and they get out, are not going to re-enlist.
KAREN PERCY: David Cline says that while the number of deserters is much smaller than that seen in the Vietnam War, if soldiers rebel, there could be major political ramifications.
DAVID CLINE: Increasingly this administration is being compelled to look at the idea of conscription, and if a draft comes in, all hell's going to break loose.
KAREN PERCY: What do you think the chances of that happening are?
DAVID CLINE: Well I don't think anything is going to happen before this election.
KAREN PERCY: A spokesman for the US Consulate in Sydney referred The World Today's queries to the Pentagon in Washington. We were unable to speak to anyone at the Pentagon.
TANYA NOLAN: Karen Percy reporting.
Source: ABC The World Today
So say US veterans groups
The World Today – Tuesday, 13 April , 2004 12:17:53
Reporter: Karen Percy
TANYA NOLAN: There are fresh reports that the morale of US troops in Iraq is very low in the wake of the hostage takings and intensifying attacks.
And there seems to be growing resentment within the ranks of the military.
On the ABC's Lateline last night two soldiers, who've escaped to Canada in the hopes of seeking refugee status, spoke about their concerns over the war.
Some veterans groups in the US believe there'll be more deserters to come.
Karen Percy reports.
KAREN PERCY: Jeremy Hinzman and Brandon Hughey are far from the frontlines in Iraq, but they are engaged in a battle of their own, against the US administration and the war itself.
Last night, they appeared on the ABC's Lateline program from Canada.
Jeremy Hinzman is 25-years-old from South Dakota. He joined the US military in 2001, and served in Afghanistan, but he was not prepared to participate in this war.
JEREMY HINZMAN: Obviously, the Nuremberg Tribunal is saying, as a soldier you have a responsibility to not carry out illegal acts, and that's the logic I used for what I've done. If I were to go to Iraq, I would be taking part in a criminal enterprise.
KAREN PERCY: Since January he's been awaiting news from Canadian authorities, about whether they'll grant him refugee status.
Fellow military deserter, Brandon Huey, is also hoping that he won't have to return to the United States.
BRANDON HUGHEY: I feel that this war is wrong, and I'm not going to let myself be a part in it. Just because I signed a contract, doesn't mean I should throw out my moral principles.
KAREN PERCY: Their cases are being keenly watched by US veterans groups. David Cline is the National President of Veterans for Peace.
DAVID CLINE: There've been a few cases recently, there are several people up there in Canada right now, trying to get refugee status. And there's also been several refusers in the military. There was one guy, Camille O'Mahoney (phonetic), who had served in Iraq, he came home on leave and he refused to go back. And we don't know how many people are out there. There's at least 700 people at this point that they say are AWOL/ deserters. And we don't know where they're at, or what they are doing, but I think that these initial cases, and the outcome of them is going to have an impact on what happens after that.
KAREN PERCY: There is a network of groups across the United States helping those who wish to flee the military and the country. Not all of those groups are keen to talk publicly, but there is talk of establishing yet another underground railway to Canada.
At the very least, deserters face court marshal and perhaps jail time. Still, Veterans for Peace President, David Cline, believes there will be those prepared to voice their dissatisfaction.
DAVID CLINE: I think that the deserters and the resisters are just sort of the tip of the iceberg, and the real iceberg is all the guys in, and women, 'cause there is a large number of women in our military today, who when their time comes up and they get out, are not going to re-enlist.
KAREN PERCY: David Cline says that while the number of deserters is much smaller than that seen in the Vietnam War, if soldiers rebel, there could be major political ramifications.
DAVID CLINE: Increasingly this administration is being compelled to look at the idea of conscription, and if a draft comes in, all hell's going to break loose.
KAREN PERCY: What do you think the chances of that happening are?
DAVID CLINE: Well I don't think anything is going to happen before this election.
KAREN PERCY: A spokesman for the US Consulate in Sydney referred The World Today's queries to the Pentagon in Washington. We were unable to speak to anyone at the Pentagon.
TANYA NOLAN: Karen Percy reporting.
Source: ABC The World Today
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