WASHINGTON - JUNE 29 - Liam Madden, the Iraq War veteran who claimed the military attack on Iraq was “an illegal war of aggression under Nuremberg principles” and that “war crimes were being committed in Iraq,” received word today that the Marines have dropped the charges against him rather than provide a forum for these issues to be debated.  The Marines had claimed his comments were “disloyal” and threatened to reduce his discharge from honorable to less than honorable.

“I planned to argue that my comments were accurate and therefore not disloyal.  In fact, it is the duty of veterans and active duty members of the military to stand up and tell their leaders when war crimes are being committed,” said Madden.  “Now that the military has chickened out and dropped these charges I hope others will join me in speaking out against this illegal war.”

The Marines offered to drop the charges against Madden if he agreed to not wear his uniform at demonstrations.  Liam responded that he would agree to that only if the Marines agreed that his comments about the war being illegal were not disloyal because they were accurate. His response to the Marines is below.

“The dropping of charges in my case should be a signal to all vets that they can speak out.  The Marine Corps fear of holding a disciplinary hearing is an admission that my comments were accurate.  If the Marines had moved forward to discipline me I would have brought forward leading legal scholars, military law experts and historians to demonstrate conclusively that the United States is now engaged in an illegal war of aggression under international law and therefore all acts being taken are war crimes,” said Madden. 

Madden is currently on tour with fellow vets going to military bases to reach out to active duty troops and urge them to get involved in efforts to end the war.  “The reception we are receiving is remarkable.  There is no doubt that more and more troops are coming to the conclusion that this war is wrong and are ready to speak out.  Indeed, under international law all acts taken in an illegal war of aggression are considered war crimes,” noted Madden.

Madden can be reached while he is on the road for interviews.  His number is 703-408-3626.

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Liam Madden’s response to the Marines

June 25, 2007

Lt Col Blessing,

This letter is in response to the offer the Marine Corps Mobilization Command relayed to me via my military appointed attorney. I am prepared to accept the settlement proposed in which the Marine Corps agrees not to continue with the discharge proceeding regarding my alleged disloyal statements and protest activity. I understand that this is contingent on my oral promise not to engage in further political protest while wearing articles of my Marine uniform.

I will make such an oral agreement and stand by my good word if the Marine Corps is prepared to meet the following condition.

I will orally agree to not wear my military uniforms while engaged in any political protest, hell, I’ll have it carved into stone if you’d like, upon receiving a signed, written statement on official USMC letterhead acknowledging that my statements in question were neither disloyal nor inaccurate. If the Marine Corps issues this statement, apologizing for erroneously (or possibly vindictively) accusing me of disloyalty to my country, I will not share it with another living soul. 

I believe that the statements I make and the protest I engage in is necessary. If it’s not true that the war in Iraq is illegal, then I believe it would be indeed disloyal to declare such a position. However, the fact of the matter is that the United States is violating the sovereignty of another nation without the approval of the UN Security Council or a legitimate claim to self defense. Sir, is honesty disloyalty?

Additionally, if it isn’t true, I would hope the US Government would prove to the skeptical world that the war is legal instead, of trying to stifle political opposition. I am sure we can agree that protesting against an illegal war, premised on lies and baseless assertions cannot be considered disloyal.

If the Marine Corps decides to not accept this condition, then I cannot agree to stop wearing my uniform at protests and we must continue to exhaust my legal alternatives. Which at present, include my right to an administrative board and may ultimately result in a case in federal appeals court.

I assure you, as a fellow patriot, my actions are taken in the best interest of the American people and the people of the world. Therefore, if the Marines decide to stop pursuing this case, I will accept that measure as your implied tolerance and support of protesting against war crimes while wearing military uniforms.

Thank you for considering my counter offer and I hope we can come to agreement on the matter. I understand men in your position have their careers to think about, as I’m positive many German Colonels did in 1939.

Semper Fidelis,
Liam Madden 

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