Saturday, November 01, 2003

"THEY'RE IN PRETTY SERIOUS TROUBLE"

An update on the two Florida Guardsmen who married Iraqi women this summer.

The men got married while supposedly on foot patrol in August, conducting a hasty ceremony in full combat gear, M16 rifles to hand.

They have been confined to base while the incident is under investigation.

A spokesman for the 1st Armoured Division said: "They disobeyed a direct order from their commanders not to get married. They also neglected their duty while on patrol. They're in pretty serious trouble."

The plight of the women is no less grave. Joanne, 26, and her best friend, Ahda, 25, have been in hiding since the weddings, fearful that they will be targeted as collaborators.

The women have not seen their husbands since the day they tied the knot.

"The women will be turned away at the gate - just like any Iraqi national who tries to get in," an American military officer said at the base where the men are confined. "They can communicate via letter or e-mail."

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