2003.09.28 -- PEGC Update - Recent Developments
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1) AL-HALABI DEFENSE PRESS RELEASE

On Friday (26 September 2003) the USAF Judge Advocates who are defending Senior
Airman Al-Halabi, Major James Key III and Major Kim E London issued a press
release.  See:

   Prison Camp Interpreter Had Tickets to Syria
   By Richard A. Serrano, LA Times Staff Writer


   http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-
   spy27sep27000431,1,6808892.story


The PEGC home page now has a folder for the Al-Halabi case, with the release at:

   Al-Habai Defense Press Release
   Majors Key & London, USAF


   http://PEGC.no-ip.info/archive/Al-Halabi/Al-
   Halabi_Defense_Press_Release2.doc


Note especially:

   "We would like to thank the people who have shown their support for Senior
   Airman Al Halabi and the defense.  The defense would ask for anyone who knows
   our client well since he arrived in the United States to please contact us if
   we have not already spoken with you.  We may be contacted at (707) 424-4580.
   Also, we are seeking assistance from experts/professionals in the field of
   psycho- sociology, particularly dealing with the Muslim culture and Islamic
   religion. Any such expert would preferably need a security clearance in order
   to be of full assistance.

   "Senior Airman Al Halabi’s family asks for all press and media to please stop
   contacting them because it is causing much stress on our client and his
   family. Some of Senior Airman Al Halabi’s family was present and testified at
   the Article 32 investigation in this case.  However, because the Government
   is claiming that most of the facts and evidence are classified, even our
   client’s family has not been told of the details of this case.  The family
   will not have much to say to the press because they are not privy to the
   details of the evidence and they desire the case to be handled fairly in the
   American judicial system.

   "We hope to be able to provide more clarifications after the Article 32
   Investigation is final and after the Article 32 Report of Investigation is
   completed and filed."


2) THE SENATE JUDICIARY SUB-COMMITTEE ON TERRORISM will be holding hearings on
   matters related to security at JTF-GTMO, Cpt Yee, and SrA Al-Halabi:

      http://kyl.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=212046


REPUBLICAN MEMBERS

Jon Kyl, AZ (Chairman)
Orrin Hatch, UT
Arlen Specter, PA
Mike DeWine, OH
Jeff Sessions, AL
Saxby Chambliss, GA


DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS

Dianne Feinstein, CA (Ranking Democrat)
Edward Kennedy, MA
Joseph Biden, DE
Herbert Kohl, WI
John Edwards, NC


See also:

   Pentagon Says It Will Review Chaplain Policy
   By Laurie Goodstein
   http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/28/politics/28CHAP.html


I have some questions that I'd like to see answered here myself, and intend to
write the committee about them.


3) Asked (2003.09.26 17:31 EDT) about the recommendation to repatriate the three
   juveniles at Camp Iguana, LTC Pamela Hart, PAO JTF-GTMO, stated :

      "The recommendation has gone forth but there hasn't been any movement
      toward their transfer."


Regards,

Charles Gittings
Oakland, California

+1-510-923-1688
cbgittings@sbcglobal.net

Project to Enforce the Geneva Conventions (PEGC)
http://PEGC.no-ip.info/

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