* 작년 6월 22일 이라크로의 비행을 위해 맥코드 공군 기지로 이동하라는 명령을 거부했던 미군 와타다 중위가 어제 시작된 군법 재판에서 4년 감옥형을 받을 것 같다고 합니다.
U.S. Army First Lieutenant Ehren K. Watada reported to duty at 2:00 a.m. early this morning, Thursday, June 22nd and refused orders to move to the adjacent McChord Air Force Base to prepare to fly to Iraq. Lt. Watada believes that the war and occupation in Iraq are illegal, and thus participation in the war is also illegal.
http://www.thankyoult.org/content/view/57/23/
At a court martial that began Monday at Fort Lewis, south of Seattle, the 28-year-old faces four years in prison if convicted on one count of missing movement and two counts of conduct unbecoming an officer for refusing to ship out with his unit, the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/02/05/war.objector.ap/index.html
* 작년 8월 Veterans for Peace Convention 에서 와타다 중위가 한 연설문입니다.
( 듣고 볼 수도 있습니다 www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081406A.shtml )
They must realize that this is a war not out of self-defense but by choice, for profit and imperialistic domination. WMD, ties to Al Qaeda, and ties to 9/11 never existed and never will. The soldier must know that our narrowly and questionably elected officials intentionally manipulated the evidence presented to Congress, the public, and the world to make the case for war..
Though the American soldier wants to do right, the illegitimacy of the occupation itself, the policies of this administration, and rules of engagement of desperate field commanders will ultimately force them to be party to war crimes..
If we want soldiers to choose the right but difficult path – they must know beyond any shadow of a doubt that they will be supported by Americans. To support the troops who resist, you must make your voices heard. If they see thousands supporting me, they will know. I have heard your support, as has Suzanne Swift, and Ricky Clousing – but many others have not. Increasingly, more soldiers are questioning what they are being asked to do. Yet, the majority lack awareness to the truth that is buried beneath the headlines. Many more see no alternative but to obey. We must show open-minded soldiers a choice and we must give them courage to act..
I tell this to you because you must know that to stop this war, for the soldiers to stop fighting it, they must have the unconditional support of the people. I have seen this support with my own eyes. For me it was a leap of faith. For other soldiers, they do not have that luxury. They must know it and you must show it to them. Convince them that no matter how long they sit in prison, no matter how long this country takes to right itself, their families will have a roof over their heads, food in their stomachs, opportunities and education. This is a daunting task. It requires the sacrifice of all of us..
* 이라크 ‘불법’ 침략 전쟁과 점령을 반대하여 명령을 거부한 와타다 중위를 지지합니다.
☞ http://ga0.org/ltwatada/join.html
* He says he believes history will absolve him no matter what happens in court this week.
At the base, there have been no blatant acts of hostility. “But, yes,” Watada says, “you can feel the seething just underneath.” During what was supposed to be a casual football scrimmage among officers late last year, two majors “accidentally” broke Watada’s nose. One major shoved, the other smacked. Watada for weeks walked around with two black eyes, a crooked beak and a sneaking hunch it was no accident.
But what encourages him is how much quiet support he receives from individual soldiers. The support, he says, isn’t showy. “Nobody wants any part of me officially,” he says, laughing that nervous laugh again. There are the approving nods, the knowing glances, the subtle remarks about hanging in there and keeping the chin up.
“It happens almost every day,” Watada says. And it makes him think that maybe, just maybe, a whole lot of other uniformed souls feel the same way he does and just haven’t figured out a way to say so.
http://www.thankyoult.org/content/view/1009/29/