Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=5/19/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT (CQ)

TITLE=IRAQ / COURT MARTIAL (S)

NUMBER=2-316043

BYLINE=ALISHA RYU

DATELINE=BAGHDAD

CONTENT=

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INTRO: The first of a series of U-S military courts martial of soldiers accused of abusing Iraqi prisoners ended in Baghdad with the conviction of Army Specialist Jeremy Sivits. He pleaded guilty as part of a deal to receive leniency in exchange for cooperation with prosecutors in six more cases scheduled in the coming weeks. Correspondent Alisha Ryu was in the courtroom in Baghdad.

TEXT: No cameras or recorders were allowed inside the Baghdad Convention Center, where the U-S military held the three-and-one-half-hour trial.

Army Specialist Jeremy Sivits repeatedly declined to withdraw his guilty plea, arranged ahead of time with prosecutors.

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He appeared calm when the judge, Colonel James Pohl, handed down the expected sentence of one year in prison, demotion and reduced pay, and a bad-conduct discharge.

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Sivits is one of seven members of a military police unit facing charges of abusing some Iraqi prisoners last year at the Abu Ghraib prison. Three of the soldiers arraigned Wednesday did not enter pleas.

U-S coalition spokeswoman in Baghdad, Colonel Jill Morgenthaler, says Sivits may have to testify against the others.

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As part of a pre-trial agreement, Specialist Sivits agreed, if called as a witness in other cases, to testify truthfully.

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The U-S military officials say both the speed of the trial's scheduling and the venue is intended to show its resolve in prosecuting those responsible for a scandal that is threatening to undermine its security and civic mission in Iraq. (SIGNED)

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