PJ Crowley resigns after calling Manning treatment “stupid”March 14, 2011 - 10:36 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Philip Crowley, U.S. State Department spokesperson, resigned after he called the Pentagon’s treatment of Bradley Manning, a U.S. soldier accused of leaking secret documents on the WikiLeaks website “stupid” and “ridiculous.” Manning, 23, is being held at a Marine base in Virginia during the investigation of charges. He is being accused of leaking documents while posted in Iraq. His lawyers have complained that he is being mistreated at the Marine brig. Kept alone in his cell 23 hours per day, the Pentagon has said Manning has been forced to sleep naked and is awakened repeatedly during the night to ensure he is safe. A letter from Manning's lawyer details treatment of the Army private that includes him being stripped naked, held in solitary confinement and allegedly harassed by prison guards. During an MIT seminar last week, Crowley, a retired Air Force colonel said Manning was being "mistreated." "What is being done to Bradley Manning is ridiculous and counterproductive and stupid on the part of the Department of Defense," Crowley said, ThirdAge reports. “It is with regret that I have accepted the resignation of Philip J. Crowley as Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs. PJ has served our nation with distinction for more than three decades, in uniform and as a civilian. His service to country is motivated by a deep devotion to public policy and public diplomacy, and I wish him the very best. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (PDAS) Michael Hammer will serve as Acting Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |