Fort Lewis war objector faces new charge

[Judi Lynn]

Sept. 15, 2006, 11:12PM
Fort Lewis war objector faces new charge

© 2006 The Associated Press

FORT LEWIS, Wash. — The Army added another charge against a lieutenant who refused to serve in Iraq because he believes the war is illegal, but did not say if the case will proceed to a court martial.

The new charge is based on Lt. Ehren Watada's remarks to the national convention of Veterans for Peace, held in Seattle last month, Army spokesman Joe Piek said Friday.

At the veterans gathering, Watada said that "to stop an illegal and unjust war, soldiers can choose to stop fighting it," according to a support group, Friends and Family of Lt. Watada.

Watada, 28, of Honolulu, Hawaii, refused to deploy on June 22 with his Fort Lewis-based unit. He already was charged with missing troop movement, conduct unbecoming an officer and contempt toward officials, including using "contemptuous words" against President Bush in media interviews.
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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/4191293.html

[maddezmom]

1. duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2513934