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September 7, 2008 12:54:32 AM CDT

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Iraqi Officers Going AWOL in America

Posted Dec 6, 07 8:46 PM CST in US 

(Newser) – Nearly a dozen Iraqi military and law-enforcement officials have fled specialized training programs in the US, the Washington Times reports. The men are either seeking asylum in this country or are still missing—leading a high-ranking congressman to warn of the national-security implications. An Army spokesman says none of the missing students poses a threat.

The Army confirmed five disappearances the past two years, and officials also say a brigadier general fled to Canada with his family earlier this year. "The trainees are given access to highly sensitive information intended to help in the stabilization of Iraq," Republican Rep. Lamar Smith said.  "Strict controls … are necessary to protect both our national security and our soldiers overseas."

Source Washington Times

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U. S. Rep. Charles A. Gonzalez speaks to politicians, military brass, private donors, staff and patients from Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston. One of the AWOL Iraqi officers was studying...   (Associated Press)
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Nearly a dozen Iraqi officials have fled specialized military training programs in the US, including one from Fort Sam Houston.   (
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Iraq  • military  • Department of Homeland Security  • Iraq Army  • asylum  • AWOL


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