TORONTO - An American national guardsman who
refused to redeploy to Iraq pleaded with the Canadian government on
Wednesday to let him stay here now that immigration officials have
ordered him to leave within three weeks.
Sgt. Corey Glass, 25, is said to be the first Iraqi war dodger from the U.S. to face imminent deportation from Canada.
"I
don't think it is fair that I should be returned to the United States
to face unjust punishment for doing what I felt morally obligated to
do," Glass told a news conference.
"I appeal to
the Canadian people and the Canadian government to honour their
tradition of respect for human rights and support my decision not to
participate in this unjust war."
Like other
American soldiers who fled to Canada, Glass's claim for refugee status
has been turned down on the grounds he faces prosecution in the U.S.,
not persecution.
A separate federal assessment
concluded he might be punished for desertion but that didn't mean he
was serious risk of abuse in the U.S.
"The
applicant faces no more than a mere possibility of persecution," the
immigration officer decided in a decision released Wednesday.
He was given until June 12 to leave or face forced removal.
A note Corey (no I won't use his rank or his last name because he doesn't deserve the respect): Signing up to join the US military was a voluntary task. You signed a legally binding contract. You broke said contract. No, no the UN is not required to validate your contract. Deal with it...
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