Press Action ::: Sen. Warner Maintains Support for Army Officer

Thursday, February 26, 2004

Sen. Warner Maintains Support for Army Officer

Last August, soldiers under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Allen B. West beat Iraqi detainee Yahya Jhodri Hamoodi during an interrogation in the city of Taji, Iraq. West has acknowledged Hamoodi was punched and shoved, but not on his orders. West also admits that he fired his pistol near the head of Hamoodi in an attempt to frighten him into divulging information about a planned ambush against U.S. forces.

During a Senate Armed Forces Committee hearing in November, Sen. John Warner of Virginia, the chairman of the committee, agreed with a fellow committee member who said West should be “commended for his actions and interrogation.”

In December, a constituent of Warner’s sent the senator a letter registering his dismay with Warner for supporting West’s actions during Hamoodi’s interrogation. Below is an exchange of letters that has taken place since then. The constituent’s name has been withheld upon request.

February 13, 2004

Dear Constituent:

Thank you for contacting me regarding Lieutenant Colonel Allen B. West. I appreciate your input on this important matter.

As you know, Colonel West is a highly decorated battalion commander who went before a preliminary hearing in military court to determine whether his actions warrant court martial proceedings. According to testimony, in August 2003, Colonel West allowed prisoner Yahya Jhodri Hamoodi to be beaten and discharged a weapon near Hamoodi’s face in order to force him to reveal information about plans to attack Colonel West and his troops. As a result, Hamoodi revealed the names of two potential attackers and locations where the attacks would take place. One potential attacker was apprehended and Colonel West and his battalion were able to avoid the would-be attack sites.

As a former Marine Corps officer, I support Colonel West’s judgment. I understand the Colonel was well-intentioned and his efforts appear solely intended to protect the lives of troops under his command. Recently, Colonel West’s commanding officer, Major General Raymond Odierno, decided not to proceed with a court martial. Subsequently, Colonel West will be relieved of his command and fined $5,000. However, he will be allowed to retire in the spring with full military pension benefits.

In my efforts to help address pressing issues, it is important to maintain an awareness of the interests and concerns of the people I have the honor to represent. I value the thoughts and concerns that you have shared with me. Thank you again for contacting me.

With kind regards, I am

Sincerely,

John Warner

Senator John W. Warner (R-VA)
US Senate
225 Russell Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Warner:

Thank you for your letter of February 13, 2004.

I remain quite appalled by your defense of Lt. Colonel Allen B. West’s actions, which are in grave violation of the rights of prisoners of war and international law. As a former Marine Corps officer and chairman of the Armed Services Committee of the U.S. Senate, you ought to know that the Geneva Conventions Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War (12 August 1949) prohibits violence to life and person and torture against prisoners of war. Article 13 of the convention states: “Prisoners of war must at all times be humanely treated … prisoners of war must at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity.”

It is barbaric lawlessness and cowardly behavior to beat up and threaten prisoners of war with force and terrorize them to reveal the names of alleged potential attackers. I am sorry to hear that you endorse such actions and continue to support beating prisoners.

Sincerely,

A Constituent

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