Torture was effective in creating false Intel to rationalize perpetual war. It was ineffective, however, in discerning the truth. Our war plutocrats’ cronies continue to lie claiming otherwise. One measure of its continuing, residual effectiveness can be seen in the budget just passed by Congress with nearly 600 billion in defense spending against a nonexistent threat.
The same budget also increased campaign spending limits so our war plutocrats could ensure future war funding. Tax revenues, which are needed elsewhere, fund war profits which in turn fund campaigns to keep tax revenues funding more war profits. Tax revenues which should be used to rebuild America’s crippled infrastructure are instead used to cripple other countries’ infrastructure. Stop
This is an update of the following:
http://www.dailykos.com/... and
http://www.dailykos.com/...
See page 1 paragraph 4 on torture and supporting footnotes 4, 5, and 5 ½.
These articles disclosed how the torture of Ibn al-Shaykh al-Libi and Abu Zubaydah led to their falsely claiming connections between al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein - claims which helped rationalize the Iraq war. The articles also disclosed Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney’s lies about the effectiveness of torture. These lies continue.
Three more Lies:
Lie One - The 12/10/2014 Wall Street Journal WSJ Editorial by former CIA directors and deputy directors (3, First problem) states, “We are convinced that both (Abu Zubaydah and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed KSM) would not have talked absent the interrogation program.”
In April 2002 FBI Special Agent Ali Soufan interrogated Abu Zubaydah. Ali Soufan described one meeting as follows (1, pdf p. 256, footnote 1315), "So we went back. And we start talking to him. We took some Coke, tea, and we start talking about different things. We flipped him about different things, I and [REDACTED]. And then he came back to his senses and he started cooperating again. And this is when he gave us Padilla."
Zubaydah did not provide the name “Jose Padilla” but did provide Padilla’s kunya and information on Padilla’s dirty bomb plot. Jose Padilla’s name had already been provided to the CIA. Zubaydah was subject to being naked and deprived of sleep but not to the degree allowed under enhanced interrogation which he would not be subject to until August 2002. See pdf pages 260-61 for additional Intel.
Lie Two - The WSJ editorial states (3, First problem), “The CIA never would have focused on the individual who turned out to be bin Laden’s personal courier without the detention and interrogation program.”
The CIA’s 6/27/2013 Response to the Senate Report states (2, pdf p. 121-123), “The other intelligence that the Study (Senate Report) characterizes as “critical” did not distinguish Abu Ahmad (al-Kuwaiti) from others who had some level of access to Bin Ladin, especially before 9/11.”
Abu Ahmed al-Kuwaiti was the personal courier to bin Laden who eventually, after over seven more years, lead to bin Laden’s elimination.
I refer you to the Senate Report Executive Summary’s pages 378 to 400 for a complete refutation of the CIA’s assertions. These are pdf pages 404-426. The CIA had al-Kuwaiti’s phone numbers and email addresses. One phone number linked him to the bin Laden family. The CIA knew he was one of three close, al Qaeda associates with access to bin Laden, and that he traveled frequently to meet with bin Laden. The CIA knew in 2002 al-Kuwaiti was special. (See additional 2002 Intel at footnote 1a)
The Senate Report Executive Summary concluded on page 379 (pdf p. 405), “the most accurate information on Abu Ahmad al-Kuwaiti obtained from a CIA detainee was provided by a CIA detainee (Hassan Ghul) who had not yet been subjected to the CIA's enhanced interrogation.” See further references to Hassan Ghul and Abu Ahmad al-Kuwaiti on Senate Report Executive Summary pages 133, 370, and 384 (pdf pages 159, 396, and 410).
Lie Three – The CIA’s Response (2, pdf p. 121) states, “Ammar (al-Bulachi), after undergoing enhanced interrogation techniques (in June 2003), was the first detainee to reveal what apparently was a carefully guarded al-Qa’ida secret – that Abu Ahmad (al-Kuwaiti) served as a courier for messages to and from Bin Ladin…”
The Senate Report Executive Summary states (1, p. 382), “On June 25, 2002, the CIA received reporting from another detainee in the custody of a foreign government – Riyadh the Facilitator – suggesting al-Kuwaiti may have served as a courier for UBL (Bin Laden).” See additional Intel on p. 386. These are pdf pages 408 and 412.
These lies are not merely political posturing; they’re treason.
Sources and Footnotes:
1 Senate Report w declassification revisions 12/03/2014
http://www.intelligence.senate.gov/...
The Executive Summary begins on pdf p. 27.
1a Senate Report Executive Summary pages 378-400 Section 12 Information on the Facilitator that led to the UBL operation - these are pdf pages 404-426.
Prior to receiving Intel on al-Kuwaiti from enhanced interrogations the CIA knew the following about al-Kuwaiti in 2002:
phone numbers including a phone number linking al-Kuwaiti and the bin Laden family
email addresses including one shared by al-Kuwaiti and al-Bulachi
Intel indicating he was one of three close associates of bin Laden and traveled frequently to meet with bin Laden -
Ridha al Najjar – On 6/5/2002 the CIA received Intel from this detainee in foreign custody stating Abu Ahmad (al-Kuwaiti) was one of three al Qaeda associates including KSM and Saad bin Laden who visited bin Laden. p. 382
Abu Zubair in 8/2002 reported al-Kuwaiti was one of a few close associates of bin Laden. p. 383
Intel suggesting he was a courier by - Riyadh the Facilitator p. 382,386
physical description, family info … from Abu Zubair p. 391
2 6/27/2013 CIA Response to the Senate Report
https://www.cia.gov/...
3 Wall Street Journal 12/10/2014 Editorial – Ex-CIA Directors: Interrogations Saved Lives by former CIA directors George Tenet, Porter Goss and Michael Hayden and former deputy directors John McLaughlin, Albert Calland, and Stephen Kappes.
http://www.wsj.com/...
See related articles in the eBook “Terrible Lies/ Terrible Truths” at:
http://www.free-ebooks.net/...