Comparison of U.S. Soldiers to the Nazis is irresponsible and dangerous

CONGRESSMAN BUYER DEMANDS APOLOGY FROM ILLINOIS SENATOR

Comments from Senator Richard Durbin irks VA Committe

Comparison of U.S. Soldiers to the Nazis is irresponsible and dangerous

Washington, D.C. Sparked by recent comments from Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), Congressman Steve Buyer (IN-04), Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, called on the Senator to apologize to U.S. servicemembers for comparing them to Nazis.

The Associated Press reported, During a speech Tuesday, the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat quoted from an FBI agent’s report describing detainees at the Naval base in Guantanamo Bay

You would most certainly believe this must have been done by Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some mad regime – Pol Pot or others – that had no concern for human beings,’ Durbin said.

I demand that Senator Durbin apologize to the fighting men and women in uniform today and those who have served in the past.  As Americans, we are to honor our soldiers’ service and appreciate their sacrifice; not demean their service and disgrace their sacrifice, said Chairman Buyer.

Buyer added, While the Senator might believe his rhetoric will further his party and politics, it does nothing but undermine our troops fighting for freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Senator Durbin’s comparison is irresponsible and dangerous.  The torment of having to listen to extremely loud music or room temperature fluctuations can in no way ever be compared to the horror of humans being herded to gas chambers and others being summarily executed. 

Since September 11th, more than 70,000 detainees have been captured in Afghanistan and Iraq, the majority of whom have been released.  Approximately 800 suspected Al Qaeda or Taliban operatives have been sent to Guantanamo, including an intended 9/11 hijacker, and of that approximately 520 remain, 235 have been released or transferred to other countries and 61 are awaiting release or transfer. Each case is reviewed at least annually for possible release.  There are almost a dozen incidents where detainees have been released from Guantanamo and then taken part in anti-Coalition activities in Iraq.  The detainees at Guantanamo are not classified as POW’s and are therefore not entitled to such protections.  However, it is U.S. policy to treat these detainees consistent with the Geneva Convention standards.

Congressman Buyer is a veteran of the Persian Gulf War and was assigned as a Judge Advocate General to the Western Enemy Prisoner of War Camp, providing legal advice on international law and the Geneva Conventions regarding the treatment of prisoners of war, detained civilians, and refugees.  He also served as an Armed Forces liaison with delegates of the International Committee of the Red Cross. In 2002, Congressman Buyer visited the Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  Buyer currently serves as a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves.

More information about hearings, legislation, and other activities of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs can be found on our award-winning Website: www.veterans.house.gov