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June 08, 2006
Army Officer Calls Iraq War "Illegal" -- Refuses to Go
First Lieutenant Ehren Watada of Hawaii, described by the Honolulu Star Bulletin as a patriotic Eagle Scout who had hoped to make the Army his career, has become the first commissioned officer to refuse to fight in Iraq.
Watada said it was his duty not to serve in the Iraq war, calling it "morally wrong" and "illegal" (listen).
Watada, who is stationed at Fort Louis in Washington state, said that Bush administration claims over Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction were exaggerated "to fit a policy that was already implemented prior to 9-11." He also called the "mistreatment of the Iraqi people a contradiction to the Army's own Law of Land Warfare."
Watada does not claim to be a Conscientious Objector. He does not oppose all war, but said he would be willing to serve in Afghanistan or elsewhere.
"I wanted to be there for my fellow troops," he said, "but the best way was not to drop artillery and cause more death and destruction; it is to help oppose this war and end it so that all soldiers can come home."
Watada faces a possible Court Martial for desertion or missing troop movement.
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Posted by MJuhre at June 8, 2006 02:38 PM