Rep. James A. Traficant Defends Michael New

News Release James Traficant (D-Ohio - 17th District)

Traficant Condemns Court-Martial of U.S. Soldier
who Refused to Wear United Nations Insignia

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant, Jr. today introduced a resolution condemning the court-martial earlier today in Germany of US Army Specialist Michael New who refused to wear the insignia of the United Nations on his uniform. "When Michael New enlisted in the Army, he took an oath to defend and uphold the Constitution of the United States --- not the charter of the UN," said Traficant, who co-authored the resolution with U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett. (R-MD)

Yesterday, a U.S. Army Court convicted Specialist New of disobeying an order to wear the UN Insignia on his uniform and discharged New from the Army for bad conduct. The Traficant-Bartlett resolution condemns the Army's action and calls on President Clinton to vindicate the principle under which Michael New made his refusal, take action to override Specialist New's conviction and restore Specialist New to his position in the Army with honor.

Specialist Michael New is a twice decorated soldier. He was scheduled to go to Macedonia with his unit as part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission. Specialist New was more than willing to serve in Macedonia with his unit. Specialist New, however, refused to wear the blue beret and shoulder patch of the UN. New based his refusal on the fact that he enlisted in the Army as a volunteer to protect and serve the United States - not the UN.

The Traficant-Bartlett resolution notes that the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 prohibits the use of the U.S. armed forces in UN deployment unless Congress approves of the participation agreement in advance by appropriate Act or joint resolution. The deployment of U.S. troops to Macedonia has never been approved by the Congress. The resolution also notes that both the Constitution and existing U.S. law prohibit members of the U.S. armed forces from receiving badges or insignia from a foreign government, including any international or multi-national organization whose members include any unit of a foreign government, without the consent of Congress. The use of UN insignia and uniforms by U.S. troops has never been specifically approved by Congress. According to Traficant, the Army's action in compelling Michael New to wear the UN insignia on his uniform was unconstitutional. "What has this country come to when we allow a decorated American soldier to be court martialed and drummed out of the Army for refusing to wear a foreign uniform? The only people who should be court-martialed are the bureaucrats in the Army who allow Michael New to be tried and convicted," asserted Traficant. "Michael New is an American hero and I will continue to do everything I can to reverse his conviction and ensure that no American solider is ever forced to wear a foreign uniform again."