SwiftVets.com

[scotty61]

It is my understanding that the US Military has it's own unifrom code of justice. Crimes such as murder, rape, theft and destruction of property are covered by this code and trial and punishment are handled by military justice.

War crimes, on the other hand, are violations of the conduct of war as set forth by the Geneva Convention. Genocide, I believe, falls under the catagory of crimes against humanity.

My question is if a country such as North Vietnam does not recognize the Geneva Convention, how can anyone commit a crime against them, that they do not recognize. Secondly, since many of Kerry's "war crimes" were instead violations of the military code of justice, would he be guilty of perjury? Or am I wrong on all accounts?

[rb325th]

Committing any War Crime is a violation of the UCMJ. Any Serviceman who violates the Geneva Convention can and have been tried for it.
Wether a Country we are fighting against obeys or has even signed the Geneva Accord is irrellevant to U.S. Serviceman.
We have never fought an enemey who has "played by the rules". We do and and that is a part of what makes this Nation the greatest on earth.
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U.S. Army 1983-1995, 11C1P/11H2P NBTDT

[Sgt-Keeper]

Scotty
I am not an attorney experienced in internaitonal law so I can't answer with any authority re: Geneva Convention violations. But, the UCMJ, as you cited, does cover all of the autrocities that Kerry cited that he personally committed. As an officer he had the duty & responsibility to report every instance that he witnessed in a timely manner. He did not do that. The real issues are consorting with the enemy in a time of war, and the perjury during congressional hearings. We did sign the Geneva Convention articles of war, so we were bound by them, even if Viet Nam wasn't.
_________________
Fix the problem, not the blame.
USMC E5 Nam vet 65-66