According to an article in the Telegraph (which I got via Daily Kos), there have been 5500 desertions from the US military around the Iraq War. The implication of the article is that these deserters have come to Canada.
How have I not heard of this, if it’s true? The media has covered a couple of high profile cases, but nothing to indicate that the level of incoming deserter refugees is that high. (Is perhaps, the unstated implication of the article incorrect–are the bulk of the deserters on the run within the US?)
Even if it is true, it represents about 10% of the number of people who came to Canada to desert, or to avoid the draft, during the Viet Nam war. However, consider first that this Iraq deployment is not even close to being done, even according to the most hawkish factions in the Pentagon, so there’s lot of time to up that number. Consider also that the number of drafted people who would flee the draft has to be at least an order of magnitude higher than the number of military volunteers who desert, and that 10% factor looks pretty significant.
The Pentagon, however, doesn’t appear to think so: “The Pentagon says that the level of desertion is no higher than usual and denies that it is having difficulty persuading troops to fight.” So 5500 desertions is normal? Wow.
Of course the whole thing is such a clear echo of Viet Nam that it’s not even funny:
“The men in Canada have an obligation to fulfil their military contracts and do their duty. If and when they return to this country, they will be prosecuted.”
The penalty for desertion in wartime can be death. Most deserters, however, serve up to five years in a military prison before receiving a dishonourable discharge.
Of course the saddest thing is that Paul Martin is no Pierre Trudeau, and so there won’t be a policy of welcoming the deserters (and eventual draft dodgers, should that come about). At least not without a lot of citizen action.
Maybe it’s time for me to call my MP again…
