Veteran campaigns for Iraq peace

By Iain Mackenzie
Newsbeat US reporter in San Antonio, Texas

Hart Viges served in Iraq but now campaigns for peace

Hart Viges is clutching a bunch of army dog-tags.

"This one's me right here. Then there's my grandfather from World War Two.

"My mother and grandmother who were civilians in Japan.

"I could have two more uncles and another grandfather," he says, wrapping the chain round his hand, "but not all of them agree with what I do."

The tension comes from Hart's role as an anti-war campaigner, speaking out against the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

His campaign of pacifism is rooted partly in his Christian beliefs, but also in what he's seen first-hand.

"I was with the 2nd Airborne Division. I was the ammo-bearer to the 81mm mortar crew.

"I joined because of 11 September and expected to go to Afghanistan. We went to Kuwait in February 2003."

Hart claims several experiences during his time in Iraq made him change his view of the war.

He said: "One day we went to a water treatment plant near Baghdad and had a run in with some guys with RPGs (Rocket propelled grenades).

But we still took the two young men. Those guys probably ended up in Abu Ghraib prison Hart Viges, peace campaigner

"We went back into the village and heard someone saying, 'These guys are against the US'.

"We tossed this hut. We didn't find any AK-47s, no pictures of Saddam. No explosives, but we did find a little .22 pistol that they probably used to protect their crops.

"But we still took the two young men. Those guys probably ended up in Abu Ghraib prison.

"To think that was a lone incident of misbehaviour is mistaken. It was widespread."

Promoting peace

On his return to the US, Hart was granted conscientious objector status and given an honourable discharge from the army.

He now campaigns on behalf of Iraq Veterans Against The War.

Hart says billions of dollars should be paid to the Iraqi people

In a country where some people view criticism of America's military as unpatriotic, Hart says his message is generally well received.

"The few people I keep in touch with from my platoon still talk to me, they still consider me their brother," he said.

"People round here know I'm against the war and promote peace, but once I tell them I'm a veteran their anger calms."

Hart says he's feeling frustrated by the ongoing US presidential campaign and its treatment of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He said: "The public debate is a sham. It's just entertainment.

"They're not addressing a full troop withdrawal.

"They're not addressing reparations to the Iraqi people and they're not addressing a full corporate withdrawal from Iraq.

"That is the only way to leave Iraq in so-called victory.

"Going door-to-door saying I apologise, here's... I don't know how much we've spent on this war, $80 billion (£45.4 billion). We've got to match that in reparations."

But there's no talk on the campaign trail of handing American cash to Iraqi families.

Such a scheme remains the fantasy of extreme liberals.

Iraq pull-out

For Barack Obama and John McCain, the debate is less about the rights and wrongs of wars, but how to get out Iraq.

Senator Obama favours an early withdrawal of combat troops - within 16 months.

Obama and McCain don't agree on when to remove troops from Iraq

His plan centres around the belief that Iraq's government won't fully step up and take responsibility as long as the US remains the dominant military force in their country.

Barack Obama wants to use the reduction of troops in Iraq to boost American forces in Afghanistan, which he views as the more pressing threat to US national security.

The continued presence of al-Qaeda and the Taleban, he argues, requires urgent action.

Republican candidate John McCain has also indicated his support for increased troop numbers in Afghanistan, calling for a 'surge' similar to that deployed in Iraq during 2007.

However, McCain differs strongly from his rival on Iraq.

He rejects the idea of a timetable for withdrawal, claiming he'll make that decision based on "conditions on the ground".

Early in his campaign the senator drew criticism for claiming the US could be in Iraq for 100 years, although he later explained that he was referring to a small military presence like that seen in Japan and Germany.

Voters' views

In recent weeks, debate about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has been pushed aside because of the global economic crisis.

For most Americans, the number one concern is the state of their housing market, pensions and jobs.

The shift in focus has left some voters feeling that too little attention is now being paid to the subject.

The economy affects everyone. The war? That's kind of hit or miss Holly Allman, US voter

In the military town of San Antonio, Texas, tourists walk round the Alamo Mission, site of one of America's most famous battles.

"The economy affects everyone. The war? That's kind of hit or miss," said Holly Allman, visiting from Indianapolis.

"Some people are oblivious to the fact that it affects them at all."

Former soldier Tom Burns has been following the debate closely.

He said: "I think McCain is a good man. I served in the military in Vietnam at the same time as he did.

"But I think he has the wrong ideas on what we need to do over there.

"We need to get out and get after the people who bombed our buildings and get our economy back on track."

Even here in the solidly Republican state of Texas there's a feeling that neither candidate has distinguished themselves on the war.

"Of course, I'm for McCain," declared Richard Getty.

"But I'm not sure they're really getting to what everybody wants.

"They're talking about the troops because that's a concern to people, but like any presidency it'll be after the four years that you really know if you did right or wrong."