Diverse News 2008®

NEWS FEEDS

American POWs Challenge President Bush to Hold Iraq Accountable for Torture

       WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American POWs tortured
by Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War today held a press conference to challenge
the President to stop bending to Iraq's wishes and start listening to his
own veterans and Congress. Rep. Bruce Braley led off the event, with former
POWs Larry Slade and Jeff Fox representing the 17 American POWs and their
families. Joining them were Jeff Addicott, the Director of the Center for
Terrorism Law at St. Mary's University School of Law, and counsel for the
POWs.
    The press conference was convened to focus on the President's veto of
the 2008 Defense Authorization Act. The President, under pressure from Iraq
-- which threatened to pull money out of U.S. markets if the President did
not comply -- vetoed the bill specifically because it would have assisted
the former POWs in holding Iraq accountable for torture. This represents
yet another effort by the Bush Administration to block the POWs in the
courts and in Congress from holding their captors accountable.

    Col. (Ret.) David Eberly, the senior ranking member of the POW group,
remarked: "The law on which our suit is based was intended by Congress to
deter the torture of Americans by holding terrorist nations accountable. We
believe that Congress got it right and that the Administration's effort to
eliminate this important weapon in the war on terror is wrong.

    The press conference participants made clear that Congress has tried to
do its part and tried to send the message to the President to do his part,
as Senator Reid said this week, to encourage the Iraqi government to "stand
up and take responsibility" for American service members who were tortured.

    Larry Slade remarked: "I am concerned for those who serve our country
today and in the future, as our enemies may now believe that the United
States will not stand behind its servicemen and women. The President should
seriously consider the impact of these developments." Echoing this
sentiment, Jeff Fox stated: "We believe the Administration's actions were
improper and should be challenged. We hope that Congress will continue to
stand with us in this fight."

    The POWs and their families are grateful to Congressman Braley and all
the Members of Congress who have taken up this fight.

    We urge the American people to write & call the White House with the
message:
    Mr. President: Resolve this matter now -- American POWs are not
expendable!

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