Information Retrieved from US Citizen Fighting W/Taliban

[Manu]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- An American who fought with Taliban forces has provided useful information to U.S. authorities, the top U.S. general said Sunday.

Gen. Richard Myers, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said 20-year-old John Walker is not a prisoner of war, but his final status has not been determined.

"He's being given medical treatment," Myers said. "He's being fed and cared for, and, in fact, he's even had a visit, I think, by the Red Cross. So we're taking care of him, I think, in the way we should, and the future disposition will have to be determined."

Walker, an American convert to Islam and self-described "jihadi," was in U.S. custody Sunday at a Marine base in southern Afghanistan. Justice Department lawyers are examining what charges could be brought against Walker or any other U.S. citizen who fought for al Qaeda or the Taliban.

"I think evidence is pretty strong that he was right in the middle of it," Myers said of Walker's role with Taliban fighters.

VIDEO
Correspondent Rick Leventhal reports from Camp Rhino, Afghanistan where John Walker is in custody (December 8)

But officials say Walker has been reasonably cooperative and talkative.

"I know when he was first interviewed he told us quite a bit that was of some value," Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said on CNN's "Late Edition."

Walker told CNN he was a student in Pakistan when he became involved with the Taliban about six months ago.

"He's been pretty close to the action, and I think he has provided, at least from the Afghan viewpoints, some useful information and probably will continue to do so," Myers said.

Walker was one of about 80 Taliban fighters who survived a bloody uprising among Taliban prisoners near Mazar-e Sharif. Northern Alliance put down the uprising with the aid of U.S. warplanes, but hundreds of prisoners and a CIA officer, Mike Spann, were killed.

A videotape recorded shortly before the uprising broke out showed Spann trying to question Walker.

"Do you know the people here you're working with are terrorists and killed other Muslims?" Spann asked in footage that ABC and CBS broadcast Friday. "There were several hundred Muslims killed in the bombing in New York City. Is that what the Koran teaches? I don't think so. Are you going to talk to us?"

Walker did not respond to the questions, which an Afghan cameraman captured on videotape.

U.S. officials Friday released a list of six possible charges, including treason, murder and conspiracy, that Walker could face. Most carry a possible death sentence upon conviction.

James Brosnahan, an attorney for Walker's family, appealed Friday for the U.S. government to allow Walker's parents to see their son.

"They are anxious to know how John is doing. We have renewed our previous request to the government to know what John's condition is and to visit him without delay," Brosnahan said in a statement. "Thus far, John's parents have received no official word as to John's physical health, mental state or even his whereabouts."

www.cnn.com

[86Dude]

I hate to say I told you so, but It stands to reason that the guy had some pertinant information. This whole thing could be a very interestning test of the new Bush administration policies, and perhaps even the constitution. Stay tuned.

[Fordman50]

The idea that they can charge him with anything, esp on foriegn soil, is rediculous. As it stands now, he may become one of the biggest heros of the war with the intelligance he provides. I bet the Gov knows they have nothing on the guy too. After all, why is he still in camp Rino? Many other injued Americans AND NA troops have been air lifted to ships (ships have brigs BTW). Now they are saying he is NOT even a POW on CNN! They should just use him then cut him loose and stop using this kid as a lightening rod to get emotional people excited! Like I said before, the book deal that this kid gets will make him a very wealthy man one day.

[Cosmo]

Dude, you were right. I think Ian may be right too. We should just let the Taliban have him, and he will cease to be a problem.

[Manu]

Originally posted by Fordman50
The idea that they can charge him with anything, esp on foriegn soil, is rediculous. As it stands now, he may become one of the biggest heros of the war with the intelligance he provides. They should just use him then cut him loose and stop using this kid as a lightening rod to get emotional people excited! Like I said before, the book deal that this kid gets will make him a very wealthy man one day.

Woah, what? You think he shouldn't be charged with a crime?

If I was in paris, and I was planning an attack on american soil I sure as shit would be charged by the US with treason, conspiracy and the like....

He is an american citizen and was MURDERING other americans...

[Cosmo]

You are right Manu, but with the video tape showing him being threatened with execution unless he talks, a good lawyer will see he never gets to trial. We should either kill him or turn him over to the Taliban who will kill him. Bin Walker killed more of their guys than ours, they will know what to do with him, slowly I'm sure. I almost would hope they would tape it and make sure the parents got a copy. The Bin Walkers who are so proud of their son should know how he died.

[Fordman50]

Originally posted by Manu


Woah, what? You think he shouldn't be charged with a crime?

If I was in paris, and I was planning an attack on american soil I sure as shit would be charged by the US with treason, conspiracy and the like....

He is an american citizen and was MURDERING other americans...

Not only do I think he should be cut loose, the government must too. After all, why is he still in camp Rino? Many other injued Americans AND NA troops have been air lifted to ships (ships have brigs BTW). Now they are saying he is NOT even a POW on CNN! They will most likely let him go soon. People will be surprized. I want to underwright his book!!!

[86Dude]

I don't think we know enough to charge him with anything yet. Did he kill any Americans? Did he help kill Americans? Did he conspire to Kill Americans or harm the United States? I don't think we know enough, and even when we do I don't think that anything will be black and white, not that simple. As it stands now I am inclined to say let him be, but I can't say for certain. Even if the guy is happy about watching the WTC disentigrate, that is know reason to fry him given what we know so far. You have to be really careful with this treason thing, and do it right first and foremost. In any event I don't think a millitary tribunal is "doing it right" by any stretch of the imagination.

I think we must empathize with his parents. No matter what, this guy is still their child, and if I had a kid, and I do not, then I certainly wouldn't want to see them executed no matter how bad the crime may have been.

[Powerboss]

The idea that they can charge him with anything, esp on foriegn soil, is rediculous.

Howabout treason or killing or helping to kill a CIA agent?

As it stands now, he may become one of the biggest heros of the war with the intelligance he provides.

He's no hero, he's the enemy. Wake up dude! He cant be that brave, noble, and principled if he is talking to us now is he?

I bet the Gov knows they have nothing on the guy too. After all, why is he still in camp Rino?

They are interrogating him. I would bet they've got plenty on him.

Now they are saying he is NOT even a POW on CNN!

What would you expect from the Taliban cheering TNN?

They should just use him then cut him loose and stop using this kid as a lightening rod to get emotional people excited!

Uh, the guy played a part in fighting us and killing a CIA agent.
What more do you want?
He should be tried and executed.

People will be surprized. I want to underwright his book!!!

You may be right although who would buy it besides the America haters?

Ian, did you inhale some stupid dust today?

don't think we know enough to charge him with anything yet. Did he kill any Americans? Did he help kill Americans? Did he conspire to Kill Americans or harm the United States?

He definately played a roll in it.
Did anyone see Hitler executing people?

Oh, its black and white alright. This guy knew exactly who he was dealing with the first time he saw a B-52 flying overhead and he didnt surrender, or surrender his rifle until they absolutely had to.
He knew who was questioning him.
He knew what was going on.
They were hiding in a little cave and we commenced to fill it up with water. They didnt come out until it was up to their necks.

THe parents, I could really care a less about. Id like to know how much garbage the kids old man filled his head with.
He got it from somewhere. And he's not a "boy". He's a 20 year old man.

[Fordman50]

In the transcript I heard, Walker had been trying to surrender from the very first day that America attacked but everywhere he went he was bombed. After a while he was just trying to survive. As for shooting at Americans? LOL when did he have an oppertunity? Pure fiction. If you think that Walker or most any other common foot soldier knew about the planned sept 11th attacks, you are out to lunch! An opperation of that nature would have been kept strictly on a need to know basis.

I will tell you who did know however, the NA and the CIA! I saw an interview with the now dead leader of the NA pleading with the US and CIA to stop ignoring him and he said that the US was about to come under a major attack in the next few weeks and it may involve airplanes! Maybe the CIA should be brought up on charges of treason or at least criminal negligance!

No big conspiracy here but the National Geographic had a great in depth documentry special on the NA that they have been showing on MSNBC. It was filmed about 3-4 weeks before 9/11. The leader looked into the camra and asked America why we were ingoring his warnings! He went into detail about working with the CIA and US officials and how they had been turning a blind eye to what was going on! This was a 2 houer first rate, in depth, pulitzer prize caliber, pre-war National Geographic documentry on the Northern Alliance! Hardly Fox and Friends with Geraldo Rivara foaming at the mouth over a country that they had never even heard of 3 weeks ago! I digest all the information I can right down to Hemingways historical accounts of the perils of the brits at the hands of the Afghans at the turn of the century. Brutal reading.

My main point earlier is that people have no real idea about the facts in the case yet in the land of the free and just, Americans have this crazy lynch mod mentality and are ready to strip this guy of his civil rights faster than Asscroft on a bad day Talk about UNAmerican!

Also, you DONT know what he did in Afghanistan. Im pretty sure he broke NO Afghan laws

As for Walker saying he supported the attacks, BFD! This is America and we dont have thought police!! We have the liberty to believe as we choose. Saying you support or believe in something is not a crime in this country dude (thank GOD). Sure its reprehencable but its his right as an American I defend it! Following your argument he should lose his American rights. I dissagree becaue our founding fathers said our rights were "inallianable." However, if we did strip him of his American citizenship, we certainly wouldnt have the rights to extradite him to the US to try him then. Either way you emotional lynch modders loose.