Les généraux de plus en plus révoltés

La “révolte des généraux” se poursuit aux Etats-Unis et commence à s’installer dans le paysage politique comme une sorte d’opposition instituée à Donald Rumsfeld. Un article de Salon.com du 25 avril donne des précisions et ajoute quelques noms sur la liste des opposants publics, dont, pour la première fois, celui d’un officier général de la marine, le contre-amiral John D. Hutson, ancien “judge advocate general“ (dirigeant les services juridiques) de l’U.S. Navy.

Hutson juge les critiques complètement appropriées : « The captain goes down with the ship. He's in charge, and he's held accountable. This is a proper and important military tradition. The lack of accountability up the chain of command has bothered a lot of people for a long time. Frankly, I think this is the gag reflex kicking in. At some point things get bad enough that you have to have a change. »

L’article de Salon.com présente le mouvement comme en pleine ascension, de plus en plus soutenu par nombre de militaires en service et en général apprécié comme pleinement justifié: « In interviews with Salon, several retired military commanders said that the unusual revolt against Rumsfeld is both well-founded and increasingly pervasive. From the broad strategic problems in Iraq to Rumsfeld's role in the calamity of sanctioned prisoner abuse, they say the case for his resignation is indisputable, and has the support of many other retired senior officers. One retired commander suggested that the generals' censure of Rumsfeld is especially important because the defense secretary has achieved unprecedented control over selecting the top brass who surround him at the Pentagon.

» “Considering the level at which these generals operated, the things they've been saying are a real indictment,” said Brig. Gen. David R. Irvine, an Army Reserve strategic intelligence officer who taught prisoner interrogation and military law for 18 years at the Sixth Army Intelligence School before retiring in 2002. “It's not the responsibility of military commanders to decide when the nation goes to war. But these guys are experts — some of them have direct experience executing the war plans that Rumsfeld developed. So when they say there are serious problems, I would think that Congress and the White House ought to pay attention.

» “I don't think I've seen anything like it in my 40 years of service,” Irvine added. “Over the last several months I've had conversations with dozens of retired flag officers — one, two, three stars. I have yet to talk to anyone who is a Rumsfeld fan. The level of disapproval is significant.” »

Mis en ligne le 26 avril 2006 à 12H18