Rumsfeld Flees France, Fearing Arrest

[laststeamtrain]

Rumsfeld Flees France, Fearing Arrest
By , IPS News
Posted on October 29, 2007, Printed on October 29, 2007
http://www.alternet.org/story/66425/

Former U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld fled France today fearing arrest over charges of "ordering and authorizing" torture of detainees at both the American-run Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq and the U.S. military's detainment facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, unconfirmed reports coming from Paris suggest.

U.S. embassy officials whisked Rumsfeld away yesterday from a breakfast meeting in Paris organized by the Foreign Policy magazine after human rights groups filed a criminal complaint against the man who spearheaded President George W. Bush's "war on terror" for six years.

Under international law, authorities in France are obliged to open an investigation when a complaint is made while the alleged torturer is on French soil.

According to activists in France, who greeted Rumsfeld, shouting "murderer" and "war criminal" at the breakfast meeting venue, U.S. embassy officials remained tight-lipped about the former defense secretary's whereabouts citing "security reasons".

Anti-torture protesters in France believe that the defense secretary fled over the open border to Germany, where a war crimes case against Rumsfeld was dismissed by a federal court. But activists point out that under the Schengen agreement that ended border checkpoints across a large part of the European Union, French law enforcement agents are allowed to cross the border into Germany in pursuit of a fleeing fugitive.

"Rumsfeld must be feeling how Saddam Hussein felt when U.S. forces were hunting him down," activist Tanguy Richard said. "He may never end up being hanged like his old friend, but he must learn that in the civilized world, war crime doesn't pay."

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http://www.alternet.org/story/66425/
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Get 'em!

[yourout]

1. I am shocked Rummy had the balls to leave the US.

[Tesla]

2. Thank you!

You just made my day!!
Go France!

[Froward69]

3. Tomorrow I am having French

Toast for breakfast, French dip sandwich for lunch. And for dinner a cheese burger and French Fries.

[133724]

6. Topped off by a good french wine.....

[WorseBeforeBetter]

9. Perhaps Pears Belle Hélène for dessert...

[C_U_L8R]

4. Run Rummy Run

Fly Away Chickenhawk Fly

[whistle]

5. Maybe the United States should follow a similar process and arrest

...Rumsfeld for war crimes when he lands

[opihimoimoi]

8. Them Frenchies are ahead of us......Vive la France

[Fredda Weinberg]

7. Wishful thinking I'm afraid ... and a misleading headline

Last I heard, the French authorities hadn't decided whether to pursue charges and the Germans said it should be adjudicated here. Let it go.

[Blaze Diem]

10. Wonder if France would take me as a political refugee?

If fleeing the USA before martial law takes place, and I can no longer leave at all, I'm liking France more and more.
I need to research French immigration laws.
I'd gladly learn the language of their country & be proud to be a French citizen. Be far better than facing the future of life in the USA, if the 08 election is once again adjusted to the liking of the fascio-corporate wet dream.

Wonder if Rummy will be allowed local visitors?

Thank You France, for attempting to keep this war criminal from ever setting his feet on your sacred ground.

[scarface2004]

11. hunt him down like a dog...

then string him up!!! for that we give you the medal of freedom!!