Andover Townsman, Andover, MA
News
Alumnus calls for trustees to consider dean's 'fitness': War crimes conference at issue
Published: July 3, 2008
A local attorney and Massachusetts School of Law graduate wants the Andover law school's board of trustees to "consider the fitness of Lawrence R. Velvel to continue on as dean," because Velvel will host a conference to coordinate the war crimes prosecution of top U.S. officials.
Velvel has suggested in writing that, if found guilty, top officials should face prison time or even hangings.
Andover resident Peter Cotch, a 2007 graduate of the law school, sent a letter to trustees Chairman and New York-based attorney A. Paul Victor on June 25 requesting the review of Velvel, who co-founded the school.
In comments published June 15 on the Web site www.opednews.com, Velvel first revealed his plans to hold a two-day conference Sept. 13 and 14 at the Massachusetts School of Law's Federal Street campus.
Velvel has since confirmed that the conference likely will be moved off-campus to an undisclosed, alternate location.
Titled "Planning for the Prosecution of High Level American War Criminals," the conference is meant to plan and coordinate war crimes prosecution of President George Bush and members of his administration.
"Because domestic politics are obviously useless for holding the guilty accountable, we must try to do what was done in the 1940s to the leaders of nations who committed evil," Velvel wrote. "We must try to do what was done to the German and Japanese leaders from top Nazis and Tojo right down to lawyers and judges...
"Not unless leaders fear prison or the gallows for actions that violate law will there be anything to check the next headlong rush to war for allegedly good reasons that later prove false," Velvel wrote.
Cotch, a Republican, said he is not alone among Massachusetts School of Law graduates in his distaste for both the September conference and Velvel's comments. He said he has received numerous phone calls from disapproving alumni.
"It reflects negatively upon my alma mater and I have an unyielding fondness for that school," said Cotch. "I truly love that institution. But in my opinion, Larry Velvel is going out of his way to disgrace it and that's just not right."
Multiple calls to Victor were not returned this week. Andover lawyer Arthur Broadhurst, also a member of the school's board of trustees, said any major concerns by law school graduates would be addressed by the board.
"That's something, obviously, that if it's brought to our attention, if people aren't happy, we'll have to address it," said Broadhurst, who added he was unaware of the letter sent by Cotch regarding Velvel.
Saying the conference is not an official Massachusetts School of Law event and will be moved to an off-campus location, Broadhurst also said he has not concerned himself with the dean's comments.
"He's taken on challenges like this his whole life, so this stuff doesn't surprise me," said Broadhurst. "It really doesn't concern me what he does on his private time unless it affects the school. At this point it hasn't."
Contacted this week, Velvel would not reveal where the conference will be held now or the reasons behind the venue change. Velvel also declined comment on Cotch's letter.
The dean also chose not to elaborate on his written comments or his motivation behind the conference.
"The answers are stated explicitly in the article," Velvel said, referring to his written statement.
Among those planning to attend the September conference is Peter Weiss, vice president of the New York-based Center for Constitutional Rights.
Over the past several years, Weiss said the center has coordinated the efforts of more than 500 defense lawyers representing U.S. detainees held at Guantanamo Bay.
"These are lawyers who believe in the constitution," said Weiss. "It has nothing to do with 'liberal.' It has to do with whether you believe the rule of law."
Weiss said numerous cases in foreign courts have been brought against top U.S. officials for war crimes, particularly in Europe and South America. However, such cases have made little headway, he said.
Weiss said he believed war crimes have been committed by top U.S. officials, but did not believe such officials will ever be tried for them.
"I don't see it happening in this country and I don't see it in the foreseeable future, these suits being successful," said Weiss. "But that's not a matter of law, that's a matter of politics."
Weiss said any war crimes charges put forward would likely revolve around the use of torture by the U.S. military, including waterboarding, sleep deprivation and the use of stress positions. The destruction of religious or cultural sites could also result in charges, as both are prohibited by American and international law, Weiss said.
Though he disagrees with the Bush administration's reasons behind the Iraq war, State Sen. Steve Baddour (D-Methuen), a Mass. School of Law graduate, said he believes the conference is more of a publicity stunt than a legitimate legal effort.
"I just can't see this movement going anywhere except for academia," said Baddour. "They operate in their own universe and this is no exception."
Mass. School of Law graduate and State Rep. Barry Finegold (D- Andover) declined comment on the conference.
Richard D'Agostino, also a graduate of the law school and now the assistant attorney for the city of Lawrence, said he believes the conference is meant to raise the school's profile.
"I'm not pleased. I have a lot of respect for Dean Velvel," said D'Agostino. "I'm certainly very put off by the perspective and the comments."
Cotch said if the conference is held off campus, that would not change his expectations about how the school's trustees should address the dean's comments.
"I'm confident it is in the hands of the board of trustees, where it belongs," said Cotch. "And it is in their purview to determine what, if anything, should be done."
