Pentagon to release Rumsfeld 'torture' memos

The Pentagon has declassified and will release as soon as Tuesday memos signed by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld that critics argue authorized torture of detainees at the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

But Pentagon officials strongly disputed the contention that the aggressive techniques, including the use of dogs to induce fear, constituted torture.

Among the memos, Pentagon officials said, is a directive signed by Rumsfeld in October 2002 authorizing a technique called "water boarding," in which a prisoner is strapped down, immersed in water, and made to feel as if he is going to drown.
<snip>
According to a classified report prepared for Rumsfeld last year, the United States was not bound by prohibitions against torture in the Geneva Conventions in detaining al Qaeda and Taliban members.
<snip>
http://edition.cnn.com/2004/LAW/06/21/rumsfeld.interrogation.memos/

Or a rewritten one?

The "water boarding" was requested for one particular prisoner, a high-level al Qaeda detainee who was believed to have information about a possible terrorist strike, as well as details about the attacks of September 11, 2001.

Other U.S. officials identified the detainee as Mohamed al-Kahtani, a Saudi believed by some to be the intended "20th hijacker."


The 20th hijacker, how conveeeeeenient. That is the same "20th hijacker" that is going to "prove" there were connections between al Qaeda and Saddam. So water boarding is considered "conversations" as stated in another article out today.

Geez, these guys are beyond belief in their contempt for the public.

:shrug:


I'm confused!!


I suppose that is their point

hijacker and his "conversations" with intelligence:http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200406/s1137073.htm

It was actually Mossaui that was tabbed with the "20th hijacker" identity but since their case is going south on that one, hey, look over here, we found another one!

:evilgrin:

I feel like I am dealing with a child - you know when they try to fudge the truth as they sit there wriggling on their chair, and cannot look you in the eye.

These guys are so very bad at this stuff. They must have really thought all would go well in Iraq -- and then they would get away with all of this.

This must be the "source" for Dickless Cheney's "information" on the connection between Saddam and Osama.

How dependable.

'Twentieth hijacker' in September 11 plot held in Guantanamo

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200406/s1137073.htm

The mysterious "20th hijacker" believed to be missing from the group of terrorists that took control of US passenger airplanes on September 11, 2001 is being held in Guantanamo Bay, The New York Times reported today.

Saudi national Mohamed Al Kahtani, 26, was captured in Afghanistan in December 2001.

<snip>

The FBI sent an experienced counter-terrorism agent fluent in Arabic to Guantanamo to interview Kahtani, and over months of conversations he eventually got him to admit that he was going to join the hijackers.

<snip>

The US military however was unconvinced, and took over the interrogations in late November 2002.

...more...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=635724&mesg_id=635724

yeah, it's downright interesting to note that they had "conversations" - wonder how well he heard while his head was underwater?

...a little with the lightstick, or just go with the board straight off?

eom

like snowboarding! only better!

in the water-boarding event.

Just as soon as the other 2,000 pages the Pentagon "forgot" to send over to Capitol Hill from the initial report on torture in Iraq arrives. I haven't seen a story that says those pages have arrived quite yet, but maybe I'm being too hasty and judgmental; after all, they've only been missing since before Memorial Day. What's the big hurry?

shipping into Washington.

their credibility. This is going better now.

Everyone knew these assholes were arrogant....

But who could of predicted that they would actually say that holding a person underwater, beating them, stacking them in naked pyramids, stomping on thier hands and feet, raping, molesting and using electric shocks WAS NOT FRIGGIN' TORTURE!!!

I am so outraged right now.

This bastard needs to be prosecuted. Skeletor, Rumsferateau...Rumskull


I can hear Rumsfeld's defining quote soon to uttered...."It will depend on what the definition of Torture is...."


The leadership filters down through the ranks and if the boss authorizes waterboarding on one prisoner how possibly could a guard in Abu Ghraib think that they were doing anything other than their patriotic duty?

Nobody was stopping them for GODS SAKE! MIlitary Intel was there, CIA and NSA was thier, contractors were there and no one but a few who took pictures on the sly thought that something was wrong.

They have been torturing for MONTHS!

There is no wiggle room for Rumsfeld and Bush on this issue. Since they are all in this crap together Asscroft will NEVER do anything.

I SAY TAKE TO THE STREETS!!! Congress needs to know that TORTURE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

GODDAMN IT!!!


phewww......end vent.

When Dim and Georgie hold poor wittle Alex's head down in a Water Trough .... beating him with nightsticks as each blow echoes in psychodelic, ultraviolent reverberations ...

So: Rummy goes for a bit of the ultraviolence too ? ..

Fancy that ....

Hanging at the milk bar....they like pictures of the old in and out...

Does anyone believe that torture is no longer being practiced in those secret places?

Rumsfailed admitted publicly that two prisoners were secretly re-located from Iraq to Afghanistan to secret prisons by the order of Tenet. That is a violation of The Geneva Convention and other laws. Why are there no indictements?

Are there secret prisons in the USA, as well?

The DOD investigating itself is pure insanity!!!!!!

It's currently up for renegotiation before July 1 and the UN is balking. Expect a major, major fight over this because these people do not plan to go to jail.

I thought they printed that card up themselves, and cut it out with their own little scissors.