140 U.S. Soldiers Try to Escape Gulf Duty, German Pacifists Say

BONN —  The pacifist Greens party said Friday that 100 U.S. soldiers stationed in Germany have filed for conscientious objector status to avoid Persian Gulf war duty and that another 40 American GIs have deserted.

Greens in the northern city of Bremen have formed a committee called “Action Winter Vacation” with other pacifist groups to help the soldiers file applications for objector status, said Martin Thomas, a Greens leader in Bremen’s state government. He said most applications were on religious grounds.

Thomas said many of those who were absent without leave.