A deserter is a deserter....too bad...

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

When you take the Kings shilling,you don't cut and run.....


Vietnam War deserter arrested at border
Arrest highlights urgency of Canadian sanctuary for U.S. war resisters

TORONTO, March 11 /CNW/ - On Thursday, March 9 Allen Abney, a US Marine
who deserted and came to Canada in 1968, was detained by US Border officials
as he crossed the border from British Columbia into Idaho. Abney, a dual
Canadian/ US citizen, was held in Idaho until he could be transferred to US
Marine Corps custody and sent to Camp Pendleton, California, where he faces
penalties under military law.
Abney, 56, lives in Kingsgate, BC, close to the Canada/US border, which
he crossed often to go shopping, to do errands, and for other purposes. He is
retired. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Abney came to Canada with his
family in 1959. In 1968 he enlisted in the US Marines. Later that year, he
joined thousands of others who fled to Canada because of their opposition to
the Vietnam War. He has lived here ever since.
Abney's daughter, Jessica Abney, is shocked and worried by what has
happened to her father. "It's been so long since my dad left the military. Why
have they suddenly decided to do this now?" she asked. "My dad is not a young
man, so of course I'm worried about what's going to happen to him." Ms. Abney
is also concerned about the seeming lack of interest shown so far by the
Canadian government. "When we called the 800 number, they seemed to just shrug
their shoulders. But isn't it their job to help out in these cases?" she said.
"The War Resisters Support Campaign is deeply concerned about what has
happened to Allen Abney. Many of our supporters are, like him, Vietnam War
resisters. We will do what we can to support him and to help him regain his
freedom as soon as possible," said Lee Zaslofsky, Coordinator of the Campaign.
"The detention and possible punishment of Mr. Abney comes at a time when
growing numbers of US military personnel, including Marines, are coming to
Canada because of their opposition to the Iraq War. It seems pretty clear that
Mr. Abney's sudden difficulties are a response to this. As well, it seems the
Marine Corps is trying to prevent further desertions by making an example of
Mr. Abney. Besides being vindictive, this is unlikely to be effective. The
best way to end the US military's problems is to end the war in Iraq
immediately," said Zaslofsky.
The detention of Mr. Abney highlights the growing urgency of a Canadian
government decision to offer sanctuary to Iraq war resisters, of whom there
are now more than twenty in Canada. "Our country is still seen as what Pierre
Trudeau called a "refuge from militarism" by many Americans -- and by most
Canadians. It's time for the Harper Government to uphold that tradition, and
make a provision that will make it possible for Iraq War resisters to settle
in Canada as so many Vietnam War resisters like Mr. Abney did several decades
ago," Zaslofsky added.



For further information: Lee Zaslofsky: (416) 598-1222 (office) or
(416) 369-0864 (home), (416) 856-5008 (cell), http://www.