There's been a lot of banter back and forth regarding the
reactions of people, congress, and the media to the reports coming out of Abu Ghraib and Gitmo (not to mention Afghanistan).
There's been a lot of comment regarding the lunatic right, and their knee-jerk wagon-circling everytime the fact that we (yes, we - all americans) are torturing prisoners. It's been discussed here ad infinitum, but this isn't going to just hit the troops (which it already is) but ALL of us down the road.
So what is the official view of the military on the subject of torture? More below....
As you may know, the Military has a field manual (FM) for
everything. They even have manuals for
Intelligence Interrogation.
Now the military tends to make thing easy enough for anyone of at least average intelligence to understand. And it seems the guidelines for interrogation are no different:
Interrogation is the art of questioning and examining a source to obtain the maximum amount of usable information. The goal of any interrogation is to obtain usable and reliable information, in a lawful manner and in the least amount of time, which meets intelligence requirements of any echelon of command.
Seems reasonable enough, the military likes these things spelled out very clearly, with no room for ambiguity.
Let's read on, shall we?
OBJECTIVE
The objective of any interrogation is to obtain the maximun amount of usable information possible in the least amount of time. Each interrogation has a definite purpose to obtain information to satisfy the assigned requirement which contributes to the successful accomplishment of the supported unit's mission. The interrogator must keep this purpose firmly in mind as he obtains the information. The objective may be specific, establishing the exact location of a minefield, or it may be general... For example, during an interrogation, he learns of an unknown, highly destructive weapon. Although this information may not be in line with his specific objective, he develops this lead to obtain all possible information concerning this weapon. It is then obvious that the objective of an interrogation can be changed as necessary or desired.
Ok, still with you here...
PROHIBITION AGAINST USE OF FORCE
The use of force, mental torture, threats, insults, or exposure to unpleasant and inhumane treatment of any kind is prohibited by law and is neither authorized nor condoned by the US Government (yes, that government). Experience indicates that the use of force is not necessary to gain the cooperation of sources for interrogation. Therefore,
the use of force is a poor technique, as it yields unreliable results, may damage subsequent collection efforts, and can induce the source to say whatever he thinks the interrogator wants to hear. However, the use of force is not to be confused with psychological ploys, verbal trickery, or other nonviolent and noncoercive ruses used by the interrogator in questioning hesitant or uncooperative sources.
The psychological techniques and principles outlined should neither be confused with, nor construed to be synonymous with, unauthorized techniques such as brainwashing, mental torture, or any other form of mental coercion to include drugs. These techniques and principles are intended to serve as guides in obtaining the willing cooperation of a source. The absence of threats in interrogation is intentional, as their enforcement and use normally constitute violations of international law and may result in prosecution under the UCMJ.
Additionally, the inability to carry out a threat of violence or force renders an interrogator ineffective should the source challenge the threat. Consequently, from both legal and moral viewpoints, the restrictions established by international law, agreements, and customs render threats of force, violence, and deprivation useless as interrogation techniques.
It seems that the Pentagon is willing to clearly set out what it states are the boundaries for acceptable behavior on the part of the troops under it's command...so my question is:
Why aren't these regulations being enforced?
(Disclosure: all italics and bold font by yours truly)