FBI Weren’t the Only Ones Objecting to Torture — So Did the Army, Marines & Air Force

[Are_grits_groceries]

But it's not like the FBI was the only one who had a problem. On October 1, Major General Michael Dunlavey sent a memo to General James Hill, Commander of US Southern Command, requesting the authority to use "aggressive interrogations techniques" like those use in SERE training. The memo reached Richard Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Joint Staff solicited views of the military services. Here's what came back in November 2002 (PDF):

Air Force: "serious concerns regarding the legality of many of the proposed techniques...Some of these techniques could be construed as 'torture' as that crime is defined by 18 U.S.C 2340." Further, they were concerned that "implementation of these techniques could preclude the ability to prosecute the individuals interrogated," because "Level III techniques will almost certainly result in any statements obtained being declared as coerced and involuntary, and therefore inadmissible....Additionally, the techniques described may be subject to challenge as failing to meet the requirements outlined in military order to treat detainees humanely and to provide them with adequate food, water, shelter and medical treatment." They called for an in-depth legal review.

Criminal Investigative Task Force (CITM): Chief Legal Advisor to the CITF at Gitmo, Maj Sam W. McCahon, writes "Both the utility and the legality of applying certain techniques identified in the memorandum listed above are, in my opinion, questionable. Any policy decision to use the Tier III techniques, or any techniques inconsistent with the analysis herein, will be contrary to my recommendation. The aggressive techniques should not occur at GTMO where both CITF and the intelligence community are conducting interviews and interrogations." He calls for further review and concludes by saying "I cannot advocate any action, interrogation or otherwise, that is predicated upon the principal that all is well if the ends justify the means and others are not aware of how we conduct our business."

Army: The Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans writes: "As set forth in the enclosed memoranda, the Army interposes significant legal, policy and practical concerns regarding most of the Category II and all of the Category III techniques proposed." They recommend "a comprehensive legal review of this proposal in its entirety by the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice."

Navy: recommends that "more detailed interagency legal and political review be conducted on proposed techniques."

Marine Corp: expressed strong reservations, since "several of the Category II and III techniques arguably violate federal law, and would expose our service members to possible prosecution." Called for further review.

http://firedoglake.com/

Another shoe drops.....

[Supersedeas]

1. even when the new head of the OLC rescinded the opinion, William Haynes proceeded on against

all objections.

See p. 146 of the Senate Armed Services Comm Report

[KansDem]

2. So let's see how this is playing out...

American people + world community + 3 branches of US military

vs.

Bush/Cheney + neo-cons + CorpMedia


Now, what do you do, Congress?

[jaxx]

3. Yeah, how do the pubs throw the military under the bus?

[KansDem]

9. I think they already have...

[asjr]

4. Everyone in the Bush administration

must have thought they were in a James Bond movie.Secrecy, lying, coercion, bravado, you name it. Cheney was Dr. No. Bush may have been Mini-Me. He is a caricature of himself.

[Soylent Brice]

5. the flood gates have been breached.

[Overseas]

6. K&R !!

It is quite frightening how powerful the Executive Branch became. That their desperation to create a justification for their war plans was so intense that they found ways to override all those national security professionals and to keep Democratic opposition in check.

[Captain Hilts]

7. The military was very much against it. They feared 'splashback' and, remember, it was JAG

lawyers that went to the NYSBarAssn. for advice on how to deal with these issues.

Navy and Marine JAG lawyers.

Go Navy!

[Martin Eden]

8. Thank you for that information!

The fact that our military leaders objected to it and considered it torture is one more nail in the coffin of the Freeper aruments.

[Senator]

10. K&R