[ppi] [ppiindia] Soldiers flee to Canada to avoid Iraq duty

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,1740987,00.html



Soldiers flee to Canada to avoid Iraq duty 

Duncan Campbell
Tuesday March 28, 2006
The Guardian 



Hundreds of deserters from the US armed forces have crossed into Canada and are 
now seeking political refugee status there, arguing that violations of the 
rules of war in Iraq by the US entitle them to asylum. 
A decision on a test case involving two US servicemen is due shortly and is 
being watched with interest by fellow servicemen on both sides of the border. 
At least 20 others have already applied for asylum and there are an estimated 
400 in Canada out of more than 9,000 who have deserted since the conflict 
started in 2003. 

Ryan Johnson, 22, from near Fresno in California, was due to be deployed with 
his unit to Iraq in January last year but crossed the Canadian border in June 
and is seeking asylum. "I had spoken to many soldiers who had been in Iraq and 
who told me about innocent civilians being killed and about bombing civilian 
neighbourhoods," he told the Guardian. 

"It's been really great since I've been here. Generally, people have been 
really hospitable and understanding, although there have been a few who have 
been for the war." He is now unable to return to the US. "I don't have a 
problem with that. I'm in Canada and that's that." 

Mr Johnson said it was unclear exactly how many US soldiers were in Canada but 
he thought 400 was a "realistic figure". He had been on speaking tours across 
the country as part of a war resisters' movement and had come across other 
servicemen living underground. 

Jeffry House, a Toronto lawyer who represents many of the men, said that an 
increasing number were seeking asylum. "There are a fair number without status 
and a fair number on student visas," he said, and under UN guidelines on 
refugee status they were entitled to seek asylum. 

The first test cases involve Jeremy Hinzman, 26, who deserted from the 82 
Airborne Division and Brandon Hughey from the 1st Cavalry Division. A decision 
on their applications is due within the next few weeks. If they are turned down 
the case will be taken to the federal appeal court and the Canadian supreme 
court, according to Mr House, a process that would last into next year at 
least. 

All deserters, past and present, are placed on an FBI wanted list. Earlier this 
month, Allen Abney, 56, who deserted from the US marines 38 years ago during 
the Vietnam war, was arrested as he crossed into the US, a journey he had taken 
many times before without problem. He was held in a military jail in California 
for a few days, then discharged. 

"They have resuscitated long-dormant warrants," said Mr House. "I know 15 
people personally who have crossed 10 or more times without problems and then 
all of a sudden they are arresting people. It seems like it would be connected 
to Iraq." 

Lee Zaslofsky, 61, the coordinator of the War Resisters' Support Campaign in 
Toronto, said that he was impressed by the young men who were seeking asylum. 
"Some have been to Iraq and others have heard what goes on there," he said. 
"Mainly, what they discuss is being asked to do things they consider repugnant. 
Most are quite patriotic ... Many say they feel tricked by the military." 

During the Vietnam war between 50,000 and 60,000 Americans crossed the border 
to avoid serving.





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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