Bipartisan Group (200 former gov't officials) to Speak Out on Detainee Detention, Torture

Bipartisan Group to Speak Out on Detainees

By SCOTT SHANE
Published: June 25, 2008



WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of 200 former government officials, retired generals and religious leaders plans to issue a statement on Wednesday calling for a presidential order to outlaw some interrogation and detention practices used by the Bush administration over the last six years.

The executive order they seek would commit the government to using only interrogation methods that the United States would find acceptable if used by another country against American soldiers or civilians.

It would also outlaw secret detentions, used since 2001 by the Central Intelligence Agency, and prohibit the transfer of prisoners to countries that use torture or cruel treatment. The C.I.A. has allowed terrorism suspects to be taken to such countries.

Among the signers is George P. Shultz, secretary of state under President Ronald Reagan. “It’s a good time to step back, take a deep breath and set a standard,” Mr. Shultz said in an interview.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/25/us/25torture.html?adxnnl=1&ref=us&adxnnlx=1214399207-o639yt90jRqB0egQA0551Q