But that’s not how it would go down, kam. The government wouldn’t say it had been wrong. It would say that it had always been concerned about Hicks’ detention and that the process had taken too long and out of concern for Hicks they were asking for him to be released. Further, they would claim that it was a vindication of their stance in insisting in a speedy resolution of the matter. You’d get something like:
“We have always been concerned to protect Mr Hicks’ interests at the same time as wanting to give him a chance to clear his name of the serious allegations levelled against him.* We think the process has taken too long (partly due to foolish people claiming to act in his interests), and we’ve said for a long time that we have a deadline for the US to have hearings. They haven’t been met and we have asked to the US to release him to Australia. Those who have criticized the government’s position look very silly now: it is only due to the government’s serious engagement with the US on these matters that Mr Hicks’ release has been secured . That they would have prematurely demanded his release before the process had been given a chance is a reflection on their lack of experience in these grave matter. The government will apply for a control order for Mr Hicks: we still think he is a dangerous man with much to answer for, but we think the process has been too much delayed for it to be fair for him and his family.”
The government will ask for his release in a heartbeat if they think it is their best option politically. And yes, the public have been that stupid in the past.
*[sub]Not a parody. Mr Ruddock has claimed that bringing him back would deny him the chance to clear his name.[/sub]
I agree with most of what you say with one exception. I think all Howard needs to achieve by election time is a definite timetable. As long as he can go into an election saying that Hicks has a trial date, he’ll be able to deflect criticism. Further, he will brush aside any delays in getting to that trial date on the basis that it is Mori/Hicks’ fault for continually objecting to the proposed trial procedure.
It would suit Howard for Hicks to be released just after the election. Either so that it happens early in Howard’s next term (when an election is a long way off) or on Labor’s watch.
Well, Hicks has pleaded guilty (to “providing material support for terrorism”) in an arrangement that will probably allow him to leave Guantanamo and return to Australia. He will be sentenced later in the week, and if the sentence in longer than “time served,” he will get to complete it in an Australian prison.
I know you mean well, but cut us some slack, will ya? It’s March Madness, and we all have money invested in office pools. Anna Nicole Smith’s autopsy is being released. Howard Stern is trying to sabotage American Idol. Rob and Amber have been eliminated from the Amazing Race. And Mel Gibson has had another outburst. One would think you could muster a wee bit of empathy.
Article 88? Never in all my life have even heard of a prosecution under Article 88! Hell! I gave a kid an Article 15 for Abuse of a Public Animal and the JAG called me to ask me to stop reading the MCM. Article 88? Sounds like the purest form of abuse.
One thing I heard pointed out on the radio the other day: “Providing material support for terrorism” is illegal under U.S. law but is not a crime under the laws of war. And since this military commission’s jurisdiction only extends to war crimes . . .
This sort of thing is a part of my whole complaint about the system of military justice. Those bringing the charge are in the Executive Department; as are those trying the charge; those defending against the charge; and those to whom a conviction is appealed. Where is the impartial review?
In addition, punishment of the Major is punishment of the defendant by removing as his counsel someone who is intimately familiar with the case and all that has happened to date.
If you want to punish the Major, let him finish the process and then throw the book at him.
And to add to all that misery, we have George W. Bush and President of the US and Dick Cheney as Vice President. In the words of Jimmy Durante, “Hits a catastroaf!”
Hicks’ plea has been accepted, and the plea agreement allows for a sentence of “up to seven years,” and for Hicks’ return to Australia within 60 days of sentencing.
And, just to wrap up the travesty of justice that this whole procedure has exemplified, part of the plea agreement also “requires Hicks to drop any claims of mistreatment by the U.S. government since he was captured in Afghanistan and taken to Guantanamo Bay.”
Mhendo, do you know whether Australia is obligated, by treaty or whatever, to honor the sentence or the agreement? Maybe when he gets home, he can tell the truth and hopefully be released and fully exhonerated.