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CNN Live At Daybreak
A Colonel's Fate
Aired December 11, 2003 - 06:32 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: In Tikrit, a military hearing may decide the fate of a U.S. Army colonel, who is accused of using improper interrogation methods. That hearing may come tomorrow.
CNN's Alphonso Van Marsh tells us what this is all about.
Good morning -- Alphonso.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALPHONSO VAN MARSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): His supporters call U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Allen West a hero, but military prosecutors in Iraq say his interrogation methods are less than heroic.
Prosecutors say that at this military base, West let his soldiers beat an Iraqi detainee, and that he followed up on a threat to kill the Iraqi by firing his gun near the man's head -- charges West has admitted all to bust an alleged plot to kill West and his troops.
Stripped of his command and possibly facing criminal charges, West says he did it to save American lives.
LT. COL. ALLEN WEST, U.S. ARMY: I love the soldiers. I love the fact that for 20 years I've been a soldier. And it's been an honor to serve by country.
VAN MARSH: Military prosecutors allege that in this case, West's service amounts to torture. And if court-martialed and found guilty, West could get 11 years in prison, but first the commanding general in Tikrit must decide whether to refer West for trial.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But as a leader, you have X responsibility on it, and that's really the issue. Because as a leader, what's your responsibility as a leader? And so, that's what I've got to think through.
VAN MARSH: In his closed-door testimony, West suggested he would do the same if faced with a similar situation again, saying, "If it's about the lives of my soldiers at stake, I'd go through hell with a gasoline can."
(on camera): If the commanding general does nothing, he risks criticism that the U.S. military condones unsavory interrogation techniques, but if he punishes West, he could alienate his own troops.
(voice-over): Some say the investigation shows that military brass isn't understanding the situations facing its rank and file.
CAPT. SHARY DAY, U.S. ARMY: I, along with several hundred, possibly even thousands of soldiers would like to see Lieutenant Colonel West absolved of these charges.
VAN MARSH: With a hug and a handshake, West heads off to an uncertain future, hinging on whether his tough interrogation means are justified by the end -- stopping an attack on U.S. forces.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Hi, there.
Now, we understand that the investigating officer has turned in his report to the major general here on base, and that the investigating officer is recommending what's called an Article 15. Now, an Article 15 has a wide range of options. Lieutenant Colonel West could get his pay docked. He could get his rank removed. He could even be forced to stay in his tent or at his base for a period of time.
Its not clear when the major general made his decision, but West's lawyer is saying we could hear an answer and a decision as soon as tomorrow, and that's on Friday -- Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, Alphonso Van Marsh will update you on Friday. Thanks for that report, live out of Baghdad this morning.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired December 11, 2003 - 06:32 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: In Tikrit, a military hearing may decide the fate of a U.S. Army colonel, who is accused of using improper interrogation methods. That hearing may come tomorrow.
CNN's Alphonso Van Marsh tells us what this is all about.
Good morning -- Alphonso.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALPHONSO VAN MARSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): His supporters call U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Allen West a hero, but military prosecutors in Iraq say his interrogation methods are less than heroic.
Prosecutors say that at this military base, West let his soldiers beat an Iraqi detainee, and that he followed up on a threat to kill the Iraqi by firing his gun near the man's head -- charges West has admitted all to bust an alleged plot to kill West and his troops.
Stripped of his command and possibly facing criminal charges, West says he did it to save American lives.
LT. COL. ALLEN WEST, U.S. ARMY: I love the soldiers. I love the fact that for 20 years I've been a soldier. And it's been an honor to serve by country.
VAN MARSH: Military prosecutors allege that in this case, West's service amounts to torture. And if court-martialed and found guilty, West could get 11 years in prison, but first the commanding general in Tikrit must decide whether to refer West for trial.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But as a leader, you have X responsibility on it, and that's really the issue. Because as a leader, what's your responsibility as a leader? And so, that's what I've got to think through.
VAN MARSH: In his closed-door testimony, West suggested he would do the same if faced with a similar situation again, saying, "If it's about the lives of my soldiers at stake, I'd go through hell with a gasoline can."
(on camera): If the commanding general does nothing, he risks criticism that the U.S. military condones unsavory interrogation techniques, but if he punishes West, he could alienate his own troops.
(voice-over): Some say the investigation shows that military brass isn't understanding the situations facing its rank and file.
CAPT. SHARY DAY, U.S. ARMY: I, along with several hundred, possibly even thousands of soldiers would like to see Lieutenant Colonel West absolved of these charges.
VAN MARSH: With a hug and a handshake, West heads off to an uncertain future, hinging on whether his tough interrogation means are justified by the end -- stopping an attack on U.S. forces.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Hi, there.
Now, we understand that the investigating officer has turned in his report to the major general here on base, and that the investigating officer is recommending what's called an Article 15. Now, an Article 15 has a wide range of options. Lieutenant Colonel West could get his pay docked. He could get his rank removed. He could even be forced to stay in his tent or at his base for a period of time.
Its not clear when the major general made his decision, but West's lawyer is saying we could hear an answer and a decision as soon as tomorrow, and that's on Friday -- Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, Alphonso Van Marsh will update you on Friday. Thanks for that report, live out of Baghdad this morning.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
