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MidEast Dispatches: Democracy Now! interview about Lt. Watada

Lt. Ehren Watada became the first commissioned officer to publicly refuse deployment to the unlawful war and occupation in Iraq. Now the U.S. Army is trying to force independent American journalists Dahr Jamail and Sarah Olson to testify in the court-martial of Lt. Watada. In this interview, Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! speaks with the two journalists, who explain why forcing journalists to testify against their sources is a chilling new attack on journalism and free speech in the U.S.

** Dahr Jamail's MidEast Dispatches **
** Visit the Dahr Jamail website **
** Website by http://jeffpflueger.com **

January 2, 2007 - Democracy Now! Interview: U.S. Army Tries to Force Sarah Olson and Dahr Jamail to Testify Against Ehren Watada

Lt. Ehren Watada, for those who don't already know, became the first commissioned officer to publicly refuse deployment to the unlawful war and occupation in Iraq. While doing this on June 22, 2006, Watada said, "As the order to take part in an illegal act is ultimately unlawful as well, I must refuse that order."

Despite the fact that independent journalist Sarah Olson's reporting of Lt. Watada's statements are publicly available, the U.S. Army has subpoenaed her to testify in the court-martial of Lt. Ehren Watada.

Even though Dahr Jamail simply transcribed and published one of Ehren Watada's speeches - which was recorded and available anyway - Dahr Jamail has been placed on the witness list and may also be forced to appear.

In this interview, Amy Goodman speaks with the two journalists. Sarah and Dahr explain why forcing journalists to testify against their sources is a chilling new attack on journalism and free speech in the US.

http://dahrjamailiraq.com/multi_media/dahr_jamail_democracy_now_01_02_07_256K_Stream.wmv

http://dahrjamailiraq.com/multi_media/dahr_jamail_dn_01_02_07.php

Interestingly, this was followed by this announcement as reported in the Democracy Now! headlines today, January 3:

* Journalist Avoids Watada Hearing, Remains Prosecution Witness*

And finally, this update on a story from yesterday’s broadcast – a judge has ruled independent journalist Sarah Olson does not need to testify at Thursday’s pre-trial hearing for First Lieutenant Ehren Watada. Watada is facing six years in prison over his refusal to deploy to Iraq. Olson is challenging her subpoena to testify based on her interview with Watada earlier this year. On Tuesday, Olson was told she will not need to appear at the pre-trial hearing but will remain on the prosecution’s witness list.

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posted by Annamarie at 10:19 PM