This Associated Press video is called U.S. troops blamed for Afghan civilian deaths.
From Associated Press:
6 Afghan police killed in mistaken US strikeApparently, a matter of “shoot first, think later”. Also apparently, though most people in Afghanistan hate the Taliban, they hate the United States and other occupiers even more. That goes even for police of the Kabul government.By JASON STRAZIUSO
December 10, 2008
U.S. Special Forces killed six Afghan police and wounded 13 early Wednesday in a case of mistaken identity after the police fired on the Americans during an operation against an insurgent commander, officials said.
A U.S. military statement said police fired on the American forces after the troops battled and killed an armed militant in the city of Qalat, the capital of the southern province of Zabul. The Americans returned fire on the police but only later learned their identities. One Afghan civilian was also killed in the exchange.
‘Coalition forces deeply regret the incident of mistaken fire,’ said Col. Jerry O’Hara, a U.S. military spokesman. ‘Initial reports indicate this was a tragic case of mistaken identity on both parts.’
Gulab Shah Alikhail, the province’s deputy governor, said U.S. Special Forces carried out an operation in a small village near a police checkpoint on the outskirts of Qalat. The police, thinking it was a Taliban attack, opened fire, he said. Then a helicopter fired on the security post and destroyed it, he said.
The attack collapsed the police station’s roof and damaged a civilian home nearby, said Gilani Khan, the deputy provincial police chief.
‘Unfortunately, the Special Forces didn’t inform the police that they were going to the village,’ Alikhail said.
U.S. officials quietly admit that they are hesitant to share detailed plans of raids against militant commanders for fear that government officials connected to the Taliban could tip off the militants of the impending operation.
By Military Counseling Network, Connection e.V., and Courage to Resist.
December 3, 2008
FRANKFURT, Germany - U.S. Army Specialist Andre Shepherd applied
for asylum in Germany Nov. 26, becoming the first Iraq War veteran to
pursue refugee status in Europe.
After attending college and failing to find meaningful employment,
Shepherd enlisted in the military early in 2004. The promises of
financial security and international adventure easily trumped working
at a fast food chain. He became an Apache airframe mechanic, hoping to
someday qualify up to the role of helicopter pilot.
His first unit was already deployed to Iraq when he completed his
training, so he joined them immediately, with only one day at his
unit's home in Germany. Shepherd spent six months on a forward
operating base near Tikrit, working 12-hour days to keep the heavily
armed Apaches (and their signature Hellfire missiles) in the air.
Though he enlisted in order to bring freedom, prosperity and peace,
Shepherd found none of these traits in the locals with whom he
interacted.
"Some had the look of fear, while others looked outright angry and
resentful," he said of locals contracted for jobs around the base.
"I
began to feel like a cruel oppressor who had destroyed the lives of
these proud people.
"Our unit did a lot of good things, giving schools books and
bringing clothes to children," he said. "These actions helped my
conscience a bit, but I kept thinking to myself, 'Had we not invaded,
would these people need this aid now?' " …
This disposition came to a head in 2005, when the German Federal
Administrative Court officially declared the Iraq War violated
international law, citing the assault launched by the United States as
an act of aggression.
A German army officer had refused an order to develop a computer he
feared would be utilized by the United States against Iraq. He was
demoted and a criminal complaint was filed against him for
insubordination. The federal court reversed the demotion because the
charges contravened a paragraph in the German Constitution guaranteeing
the right to freedom of conscience.
Shepherd's application also cites a European Union regulation
providing refugee status to a soldier who is in danger of being
prosecuted if military service "would include crimes or acts"
which
violate international law. The application refers to the Nuremberg
Trials, stating "It is established that a person cannot defend his or
her actions by explaining that they had simply been following
orders."
In effect, Shepherd's asylum application calls on Germany to clarify
the nature of its opposition to the war in Iraq. The United States
utilizes German airspace on a daily basis to carry out operations vital
to the war, and U.S. bases within the country are home to roughly
60,000 American service members.
"We should not be forced to fight an illegal war, nor should we be
persecuted for refusing to do so," Shepherd said. "During the
past five
years we have waged a preemptive, internationally condemned war that
was shown to be founded on a series of lies. After learning the truth
about the nature of my military's endeavors, I refuse to continue to be
a part of this."
“We are honored to help support this courageous war veteran
turned
resister in whatever ways possible,” declared Jeff Paterson, Project
Director of Courage to Resist–a U.S.-based organization dedicated to
supporting U.S. troops who refuse to fight.
Listen to Andre's
23:30 min. interview with Courage to Resist
Read complete article
Write holiday greetings to war
resisters
The holidays are a difficult time for many folks, especially
when separated from family and friends. Now imagine you’re a war
resisters
imprisoned for refusing to fight in Iraq.
Please take a few moments this
holiday season to write a letter of support to a imprisoned objector.
Better
yet, organize your social club to collectively write letters to these
brave men
with the courage to resist.
Tony Anderson, Robin Long, and Daniel Sandate are
currently jailed and are not expecting release until well into 2009.
Benji Lewis, Blake Ivey and Andre Shepherd
are publicly taking bold stands against war that may result in their
eventual
courts martial.
Michael Anderson
PO Box 305
Fort Sill OK 73503-5305
Robin
Long
PO Box 452136
San Diego CA 92145-2136
Benji
Lewis,
Blake
Ivey, and
Daniel
Sandate
c/o Courage to Resist
484 Lake Park Ave #41
Oakland CA 94610
Andre
Shepherd
c/o
Military Counseling Network (MCN)
Hauptstrasse 1,
D-69245 Bammental
Germany
($.94 USPS postage req.)
For more information about each individual, follow the link
from their name.
Packed Ithaca NY council
supports Spc Steve Loope
- Spc. Loope turned himself in this morning
at Ft. Drum. The Army may take some time to announce if they intend to
court martial him.
Krisy Gashler, Ithaca Journal. December 4, 2008
A Fort Drum soldier absent without leave petitioned Ithaca's Common
Council Wednesday night to make good on its pledge to be a
“community
of sanctuary” for soldiers who oppose the war in Iraq.
Ithaca's Common Council chambers were filled beyond capacity with
people supporting U.S. Army specialist Stephen Trevor Loope, who left
Fort Drum last year after what he described as “mental abuse”
from his
peers and superiors and unresponsive or non-existent mental health
treatment.
A 22-year-old from Austin, Texas, Loope served a 15-month tour of
duty in Afghanistan with the 3rd Brigade 10th Mountain Division
starting in February 2006.
Common Council in October passed a resolution declaring itself a
“community of sanctuary” that would “respect and not
interfere with the
lawful activities of military personnel, veterans, and all others who
are opposed to the immoral wars in and occupations of Iraq and
Afghanistan and all other violations of the United Nations and
Nuremberg Charters.”
Read complete article
"Support GI Resistance to
War" poster available
Order poster
here - enter
"Courage to Resist" in the check out comments and
we'll get 50% of the proceeds
This is a new poster
(15"x24", $10 each) available from photographer Jon Orlando.
This poster features Garett
Reppenhagen, who in his own words, is “a Veteran of the Iraq War. An
ex
United States Cavalry Sniper who has decided to live the rest of his
life opposed to the imperialism and materialism that has eaten away at
the soul of humanity. I’ve dedicated myself to improving my mind and
repairing my spirit, and to assist others to do the same. My goals are
to stir the peaceful revolution into reality and share my experiences
by means of any expression I can master.”
Jon Orlando is
currently working on a series of such images featuring veterans from
the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Comment by Administrator — December 13, 2008 @ 2:24 pm