[R-G] Khadr's U.S. defence lawyer fired

[Sid Shniad]

Globe and Mail April 4, 2009 

Khadr's U.S. defence lawyer fired 

Josh Wingrove 

Lieutenant-Commander William Kuebler, Omar Khadr's U.S. military defence lawyer, was fired Friday after a lengthy feud with his superior over the case. 

LCdr. Kuebler has repeatedly alleged a conflict of interest on the part of his boss, Pentagon chief defence lawyer Colonel Peter Masciola, in Mr. Khadr's case, saying the colonel supported the continued prosecution of Mr. Khadr while also overseeing his defence. 

That battle intensified this week, when LCdr. Kuebler lodged a formal complaint. He sought a court order preventing his dismissal until a hearing on his complaint, but was denied. He will be reassigned within the navy, a source said. 

Messages left for Col. Masciola weren't returned. LCdr. Kuebler said he's been told not to speak with the press. 

Hours before the axe fell, LCdr. Kuebler sent out a statement saying the formal complaint would lead to his firing. 

He alleged Col. Masciola “demonstrated a disturbing pattern of acting to support the agenda of military prosecutors to have Omar tried in the U.S. rather than being repatriated to Canada.” 

He also said Col. Masciola had “misgivings” about his handling of the case itself, though it was unclear whether it was LCdr. Kuebler's job performance or the public feud that prompted the decision. 

Mr. Khadr, facing terrorism charges, still has other American and Canadian lawyers. 

Mr. Khadr, a Canadian captured after a 2002 Afghanistan firefight, is the last westerner left in the Guantanamo Bay prison camp. 

U.S. President Barack Obama has ordered the closing of Guantanamo, but the Canadian government has refused to seek Mr. Khadr's repatriation. 

“Mr. Khadr's defence will continue,” said Canadian lawyer Dennis Edney. “I think we'd also like to send a message to President Obama that notwithstanding our Prime Minister showing absolutely no interest in assisting Omar, we as Canadians are interested in bringing him home.”