There must be trials
Re: The Senate Intelligence Comm report
I've scanned through the text, and I am ashamed, appalled, angry and frightened. There is no longer any doubt that our countrymen committed war crimes. The only solution is prosecution. We can not stand by and let this be rationalized by the apologists, justifiers and barbarians. I call on our elected government to arrest everyone involved in these crimes and turn them over for trial to the ICC. The USDOJ and Judiciary branch, indeed the entire government have been too deeply involved in this issue to be able to maintain any pretense of impartiality in the administration of desperately needed justice.
Random comments:
Who is Dr. Bruce Jessen and why is his name not redacted?
Use of smoke as an interrogation method?
Use of induced physical weakness and exhaustion?
Disruption of biorythms?
Another enabler - Tim Flanigan.
Who is Rizzo, it seems he may be another lawyer on the justification team. Found it: CIA General Counsel John Rizzo.
[V]iolent acts aren't necessarily torture; if you do torture, you probably have a
defense; and even if you don't have a defense, the torture law doesn't apply if you
act under color of presidential authority. CIA interrogators and their supervisors,
under pressure to get information about the next attack, viewed the opinion as a
'golden shield,' as one CIA official later called it, that provided enormous
comfort. 231
Major Paul Burney, psychologist _redacted. Why are some names released and some not?
LTC Louie "Morgan" Banks.279 - another psychologist.
[T]his is my opinion, even though they were giving information and some of it was
useful, while we were there a large part ofthe time we were focused on trying to establish
a link between AI Qaeda and Iraq and we were not being successful in establishing a link
between AI Qaeda and Iraq. The more frustrated people got in not being able to establish
this link .. , there was more and more pressure to resort to measures that might produce
more I.mme dl' ate resu Its. 291 - Bush team searches for justification for invasion of Iraq.
Dr. Percival and one ofthe two trainers, Joseph Witsch, had been instructors at the
exploitation training for. in July, where they had discussed and demonstrated physical
pressures. 315 - another complicit psychologist.
For example, the interrogator told the Committee that
there was a discussion with lPRA personnel that military working dogs, already present at GTMO for security, could enhance detainee exploitation.
Two more war crimes: Category III techniques included the daily use of 20 hour interrogations;
the use of strict isolation without the right of visitation by treating medical professionals or the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC);
Nazi tactics: (U) According to the meeting minutes, LTC Beaver suggested that the IfF might "need
to curb the harsher operations while [the International Committee ofthe Red Cross (ICRC;~is
around," and that it would be "better not to expose them to any controversial techniques."
LTC Beaver explained that "[t]he ICRC is a serious concern. They will be in and out,
scrutinizing our operations, unless they are displeased and decide to protest and leave. This
would draw a lot of negative attention.,,395 The minutes reflect that the CIA lawyer added his
view:
In the past when the ICRC has made a big deal about certain detainees, the DOD
has 'moved' them away from the attention of the ICRC. Upon questioning from
the ICRC about their whereabouts, the DOD's response has repeatedly been that
the detainee merited no status under the Geneva Convention.396
No wonder the CIA is worried. As to whether Geneva Conventions would apply, Mr. Fredman noted that the "CIA rallied for it not to.,,406
Mock executions don't work as well as friendly approaches,
Another new technique: LTC Beaver said that she had learned about the wet towel technique from a Navy doctor who had been assigned to the Hospital at Guantanamo and who described to her its use at the Navy SERE school.
"It is basically subject to perception. If the detainee dies you're doing it wrong"
"Any of the techniques that lie on the harshest end of the spectrum must be performed by a
highly trained individual. Medical personnel should be present to treat any possible accidents."
Talk of "wet towel treatment" which results in the lymphatic gland reacting as if you are suffocating, would in my opinion; shock the conscience of any legal body looking at using the results of the interrogations or possibly even the
interrogators. Someone needs to be considering how history will look back at
this.408
Would you feel good about discussing your problems with this guy?
BSCT psychiatrist MAl Paul Burney sent an email to
LTC Banks, stating that "persons here at this operation are still interested in pursuing the
potential use of more aversive interrogation teclmiques ... Were more aversive teclmiques
approved for use in the future by appropriate people, the operation would like to have a few task force personnel specifically trained in various techniques.,,410 MAl Burney asked whether LTCBanks knew "where task force personnel could go to receive such training" and whether he knew
of"any consultants who could assist ifany ofthese measures are eventually approved.,,411
So they did beat the hell out of them. Another FBI agent reflected upon the failed interrogation in his own email of October 8, 2002, observing that "I think we should consider leaving him alone, let him get healthy again and do something 'different. ",436
Another dirty lawyer for the Spanish:
The October 11, 2002 techniques memo was accompanied by a cover memo and legal brief written by GTMO's Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) LTC Diane Beaver. The cover memo stated simply that ''the proposed strategies do not violate applicable federal law.,,453 LTC Beaver began her analysis of the "aggressive" techniques by stating that the "detainees currently held at Guantanamo Bay ... are not protected by the Geneva
Conventions.'.457
But I suppose that all of these problems would be obviated if the information was kept secret.
...and that my agents, as well as
other [military personnel] will face both legal and ethical problems if they become
aware oftheir use. 576
Unbelievable
In addition, the plan stated that MG Miller had approved the use of hospital gauze to restrain the
detainee's mouth to prevent him from becoming argumentative and verbally abusive.
Our premier domestic law enforcement agency turns a blind eye. Why didn't they do their job?
Executive Assistant Director Pat D'Amuro who immediately said we (the FBI) would not be a party to actions of any kind that were contrary to FBI policy and that individuals should distance themselves from any such actions.,,632
...treating Khatani like an animal, using a
military working dog, and forcing him to pray to an idol shrine.664
The draft SOP also listed "Worship the Gods" where a detainee would
Whats "Bidermans' principles? Can one of our psychologists help?
The training included instruction on "Biderman's Principles," including lessons from a chart that was originally included in a 1957 article about how communists elicited false confessions.802
[The] use of physical and psychological pressures during interrogations, if deemed appropriate, are tools that can be applied in order to establish and reinforce [Biderman's] principles... these principles and associated pressures allow the interrogation system to establish and maintain control of the exploitation process...
use of safety positions;
According to Mr. Mora, the "OLC memo proved a vastly more sophisticated version ofthe
Beaver Legal Brief, but it was a much more dangerous document because ofthe statutory
requirement that OLC opinions are binding provided much more weight to its virtually
equivalent conclusions.,,940
The report, she said, had been "geared toward a particular conclusion[]" and the legal analysis was written to support that conclusion.
''use of smoke pipe ... is also used at the SERE School.,,954
Working Group determined that there was a major issue in law or policy with respect to
waterboarding "that cannot be eliminated. ,,970
"making sexual affiliated movements with her chest and pelvis while again speaking sexually
oriented sentences.,,1029
The second incident involved a female military interrogator who wiped what she told
the detainee was menstrual blood on a detainee's face and forehead. l033
Khatani had also been forced to wear a dog collar and perform dog tricks, and interrogators had placed signs on him such as "liar," "coward," and "dog.,,1048
"These people are scared to death of dogs, and the
dogs have a tremendous affect.,,1514
And it wasn't just jihadis.
The IROE stated that the interrogation approaches specified in Army FM 34-52, as well as yelling, light control, loud music, deception, and false flag were "approved for all detainees, regardless of status (security detainees, civilian internees, or EPWs).,,1555
Similarly, the warden of the Hard Site at Abu Ghraib stated that military intelligence made detainees engage in physical training and he saw "detainees holding buckets, arms out, and other drillS.,,1626
the use of power tools, stress positions, and the presence of working dogs were all marked with the word "CAUTION."I721
What is a string simulating sensor?
''touch [the] detainee on [the] head, hands and feet with string simulating sensors.,,1727
I've scanned through the text, and I am ashamed, appalled, angry and frightened. There is no longer any doubt that our countrymen committed war crimes. The only solution is prosecution. We can not stand by and let this be rationalized by the apologists, justifiers and barbarians. I call on our elected government to arrest everyone involved in these crimes and turn them over for trial to the ICC. The USDOJ and Judiciary branch, indeed the entire government have been too deeply involved in this issue to be able to maintain any pretense of impartiality in the administration of desperately needed justice.
Random comments:
Who is Dr. Bruce Jessen and why is his name not redacted?
Use of smoke as an interrogation method?
Use of induced physical weakness and exhaustion?
Disruption of biorythms?
Another enabler - Tim Flanigan.
Who is Rizzo, it seems he may be another lawyer on the justification team. Found it: CIA General Counsel John Rizzo.
[V]iolent acts aren't necessarily torture; if you do torture, you probably have a
defense; and even if you don't have a defense, the torture law doesn't apply if you
act under color of presidential authority. CIA interrogators and their supervisors,
under pressure to get information about the next attack, viewed the opinion as a
'golden shield,' as one CIA official later called it, that provided enormous
comfort. 231
Major Paul Burney, psychologist _redacted. Why are some names released and some not?
LTC Louie "Morgan" Banks.279 - another psychologist.
[T]his is my opinion, even though they were giving information and some of it was
useful, while we were there a large part ofthe time we were focused on trying to establish
a link between AI Qaeda and Iraq and we were not being successful in establishing a link
between AI Qaeda and Iraq. The more frustrated people got in not being able to establish
this link .. , there was more and more pressure to resort to measures that might produce
more I.mme dl' ate resu Its. 291 - Bush team searches for justification for invasion of Iraq.
Dr. Percival and one ofthe two trainers, Joseph Witsch, had been instructors at the
exploitation training for. in July, where they had discussed and demonstrated physical
pressures. 315 - another complicit psychologist.
For example, the interrogator told the Committee that
there was a discussion with lPRA personnel that military working dogs, already present at GTMO for security, could enhance detainee exploitation.
Two more war crimes: Category III techniques included the daily use of 20 hour interrogations;
the use of strict isolation without the right of visitation by treating medical professionals or the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC);
Nazi tactics: (U) According to the meeting minutes, LTC Beaver suggested that the IfF might "need
to curb the harsher operations while [the International Committee ofthe Red Cross (ICRC;~is
around," and that it would be "better not to expose them to any controversial techniques."
LTC Beaver explained that "[t]he ICRC is a serious concern. They will be in and out,
scrutinizing our operations, unless they are displeased and decide to protest and leave. This
would draw a lot of negative attention.,,395 The minutes reflect that the CIA lawyer added his
view:
In the past when the ICRC has made a big deal about certain detainees, the DOD
has 'moved' them away from the attention of the ICRC. Upon questioning from
the ICRC about their whereabouts, the DOD's response has repeatedly been that
the detainee merited no status under the Geneva Convention.396
No wonder the CIA is worried. As to whether Geneva Conventions would apply, Mr. Fredman noted that the "CIA rallied for it not to.,,406
Mock executions don't work as well as friendly approaches,
Another new technique: LTC Beaver said that she had learned about the wet towel technique from a Navy doctor who had been assigned to the Hospital at Guantanamo and who described to her its use at the Navy SERE school.
"It is basically subject to perception. If the detainee dies you're doing it wrong"
"Any of the techniques that lie on the harshest end of the spectrum must be performed by a
highly trained individual. Medical personnel should be present to treat any possible accidents."
Talk of "wet towel treatment" which results in the lymphatic gland reacting as if you are suffocating, would in my opinion; shock the conscience of any legal body looking at using the results of the interrogations or possibly even the
interrogators. Someone needs to be considering how history will look back at
this.408
Would you feel good about discussing your problems with this guy?
BSCT psychiatrist MAl Paul Burney sent an email to
LTC Banks, stating that "persons here at this operation are still interested in pursuing the
potential use of more aversive interrogation teclmiques ... Were more aversive teclmiques
approved for use in the future by appropriate people, the operation would like to have a few task force personnel specifically trained in various techniques.,,410 MAl Burney asked whether LTCBanks knew "where task force personnel could go to receive such training" and whether he knew
of"any consultants who could assist ifany ofthese measures are eventually approved.,,411
So they did beat the hell out of them. Another FBI agent reflected upon the failed interrogation in his own email of October 8, 2002, observing that "I think we should consider leaving him alone, let him get healthy again and do something 'different. ",436
Another dirty lawyer for the Spanish:
The October 11, 2002 techniques memo was accompanied by a cover memo and legal brief written by GTMO's Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) LTC Diane Beaver. The cover memo stated simply that ''the proposed strategies do not violate applicable federal law.,,453 LTC Beaver began her analysis of the "aggressive" techniques by stating that the "detainees currently held at Guantanamo Bay ... are not protected by the Geneva
Conventions.'.457
But I suppose that all of these problems would be obviated if the information was kept secret.
...and that my agents, as well as
other [military personnel] will face both legal and ethical problems if they become
aware oftheir use. 576
Unbelievable
In addition, the plan stated that MG Miller had approved the use of hospital gauze to restrain the
detainee's mouth to prevent him from becoming argumentative and verbally abusive.
Our premier domestic law enforcement agency turns a blind eye. Why didn't they do their job?
Executive Assistant Director Pat D'Amuro who immediately said we (the FBI) would not be a party to actions of any kind that were contrary to FBI policy and that individuals should distance themselves from any such actions.,,632
...treating Khatani like an animal, using a
military working dog, and forcing him to pray to an idol shrine.664
The draft SOP also listed "Worship the Gods" where a detainee would
Whats "Bidermans' principles? Can one of our psychologists help?
The training included instruction on "Biderman's Principles," including lessons from a chart that was originally included in a 1957 article about how communists elicited false confessions.802
[The] use of physical and psychological pressures during interrogations, if deemed appropriate, are tools that can be applied in order to establish and reinforce [Biderman's] principles... these principles and associated pressures allow the interrogation system to establish and maintain control of the exploitation process...
use of safety positions;
According to Mr. Mora, the "OLC memo proved a vastly more sophisticated version ofthe
Beaver Legal Brief, but it was a much more dangerous document because ofthe statutory
requirement that OLC opinions are binding provided much more weight to its virtually
equivalent conclusions.,,940
The report, she said, had been "geared toward a particular conclusion[]" and the legal analysis was written to support that conclusion.
''use of smoke pipe ... is also used at the SERE School.,,954
Working Group determined that there was a major issue in law or policy with respect to
waterboarding "that cannot be eliminated. ,,970
"making sexual affiliated movements with her chest and pelvis while again speaking sexually
oriented sentences.,,1029
The second incident involved a female military interrogator who wiped what she told
the detainee was menstrual blood on a detainee's face and forehead. l033
Khatani had also been forced to wear a dog collar and perform dog tricks, and interrogators had placed signs on him such as "liar," "coward," and "dog.,,1048
"These people are scared to death of dogs, and the
dogs have a tremendous affect.,,1514
And it wasn't just jihadis.
The IROE stated that the interrogation approaches specified in Army FM 34-52, as well as yelling, light control, loud music, deception, and false flag were "approved for all detainees, regardless of status (security detainees, civilian internees, or EPWs).,,1555
Similarly, the warden of the Hard Site at Abu Ghraib stated that military intelligence made detainees engage in physical training and he saw "detainees holding buckets, arms out, and other drillS.,,1626
the use of power tools, stress positions, and the presence of working dogs were all marked with the word "CAUTION."I721
What is a string simulating sensor?
''touch [the] detainee on [the] head, hands and feet with string simulating sensors.,,1727
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