US Soldier Seeks Asylum in Germany

He served one tour in Iraq but what he has learned since, leads him to say "no" to second deployment.

clipped from www.radionetherlands.nl ndre Shepherd, 31, has become the first American soldier to seek asylum from the United States in Germany after deserting the US Army. He cited the atrocities and illegalities of the war in Iraq, as well as President Bush's role in launching an invasion on the basis of "no legal grounds whatsoever." Andre Shepherd: seeking asylum He said he had served willingly in 2004, but knowing what he does now, feels he cannot serve a second time. He was working as an Apache helicopter mechanic in Tikrit, but quit after witnessing the "mass of destruction" caused to Iraq by the military machine he was helping to maintain. Germany was significant Mr Shepherd said he chose to seek asylum in Germany for several reasons: he was stationed in Germany when he decided to desert and couldn't find a way back to the US.