Bleak Future For U.s. Draft Dodgers (Press, 16 June 1973)

The Vietnam War has officially ended, with all American prisoners returned and the last combat troops withdrawn. However, around 32,000 American deserters still face uncertainty. These individuals fled the conflict, unable to support a cause they didn't believe in, and now seek amnesty from the U.S. government. They reside in various countries such as Sweden, Canada, and the UK, all classified as felons under American law, facing potential imprisonment for up to a decade if they were to return. The article tells the story of Doug Tiberis, a war deserter who, after receiving his draft card five years earlier, tried numerous tactics to avoid conscription, including pretences of illness and even claiming to be homosexual. When these attempts failed, he withdrew his savings and purchased a one-way ticket to Canada, joining thousands of others seeking refuge from the draft. Tiberis is currently living in a Montreal slum but faces bitterness due to high unemployment and the repercussions on his family back home, forced to relocate after being targeted by vigilantes. In contrast to Tiberis’s experience in Canada, deserters in Sweden face greater challenges. Neil Stimson, who has lived there for four years, struggles with cultural adjustment and language barriers within Sweden’s distinct social democracy. His situation is compounded by the general hesitation of Swedish authorities to offend the U.S. government. Meanwhile, in Germany, a new court case has raised concerns for deserters, with one individual ordered to be deported despite being married to a German citizen. This reflects a precarious situation for those in Germany who fear revealing their status. Some deserters lead double lives, like Doug Ashford in London, who appears as a guitar maker but is actually a wanted man. Britain has an extradition agreement with the U.S., putting Ashford and many others at risk. He lives under constant fear of arrest, unable to work or access social services without revealing his status. Despite the end of the war, President Nixon has stated there would be no forgiveness for draft dodgers or deserters, suggesting amnesty is unlikely. Those who have attempted to return safely have often been arrested immediately upon arrival. As the future appears bleak for these individuals, the longing for a resolution to their plight remains palpable. The hope for an amnesty from President Nixon dwindles as he reiterates a hardline stance against granting forgiveness, leaving many to continue their lives in exile, fragmented from their homes and families.

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