I don't agree with everything Senator Diane Feinstein says, but I am truly appalled that the word "vichy" would be attached to her name in a highly recommended diary at this blog.
Rather than get into a flaming war, I decided to post this letter the Senator wrote requesting answers about the Guantanamo detainees.
I don't agree with everything Senator Diane Feinstein says, but I am truly appalled that the word "vichy" would be attached to her name in a highly recommended diary at this blog.
Rather than get into a flaming war, I decided to post this letter the Senator wrote requesting answers about the Guantanamo detainees.
link:
Following is Senator Feinstein's letter to Secretary Rumsfeld and Director Negroponte:
"I write seeking updated information concerning the status of programs to detain and interrogate individuals held in the course of the `Global War on Terrorism.' On June 15, 2005 , the Committee on the Judiciary will hold a hearing on this subject -- the information I am requesting would greatly assist the Committee in examining this issue, and thus I ask that you provide the information to me, and to the Committee, prior to that date.
I am increasingly concerned that our national effort with respect to enemy combatants and others held in custody is failing. The programs at Guantanamo, as well as those in Afghanistan and in Iraq , have repeatedly been the subject of allegations of mismanagement and abuse. Some of these allegations are credible. But whether true or not, these allegations have fueled a rising tide of anti-America feeling throughout the world, especially in Muslim countries. Given this situation, I believe it is incumbent on us to question whether changes need to be made at Guantanamo and elsewhere.
It is clear to me that the `Global War on Terrorism' will not soon come to an end, and that we will continue to need facilities to securely hold prisoners, and effectively conduct interrogations to obtain needed intelligence. However, I believe it is time to reassess our methods. The information I request will help the Judiciary Committee begin its role in this task.
I ask that the response be jointly prepared so as to avoid confusion as to what elements of the United States government are responsible for these issues. My request is based on the assumption that except for the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community, there is no other element of the United States government that may lawfully engage in the detention or interrogation of prisoners. Of course, my request excludes the Department of Justice's responsibilities to prosecute criminal activity under federal law.
Finally, I expect that the responses to my questions may require information properly classified pursuant to Executive Order 12958. I ask that such responses be provided to the Committee as a separate annex through the Office of Senate Security.
My questions follow:
* How many individuals are currently held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba?
* How many individuals, in total, have been held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba?
* How many individuals, in total, have been released from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba?
* How many individuals, if any, have died while in custody at Guantanamo Bay?
* What is the rationale for using Guantanamo Bay as the location for detention facilities?
* What are the costs of maintaining such a facility at Guantanamo Bay compared with maintaining a similar facility within the United States?
* What are the measures necessary to maintain the facility securely at Guantanamo Bay compared with maintaining a similar facility within the United States?
* What, if any, interrogation techniques can be lawfully used at Guantanamo Bay, but not at a location within the territory of the United States?
* What procedural rights, including rights of appeal and review, would be available to a detainee held within the United States, but are not now available to a similarly-situated detainee held at Guantanamo Bay?
* Has the Department of Defense or the Intelligence Community conducted an analytic assessment of the value of the intelligence derived from the interrogation program being conducted at Guantanamo Bay? If so, please provide a copy of the results of that assessment?
* Has the Department of Defense or the Intelligence Community conducted an analytic assessment of the effect of maintaining the Guantanamo Bay facility on the view of the U.S. and its programs held by foreign nations and their populations?
* Does the Department of Defense or any element of the Intelligence Community currently maintain any other facilities where individuals are held in custody? If so, please identify these facilities, and address each of the above questions to that facility.
I thank you both in advance for your response, and look forward to working with you to address the critical issues at hand."