Posted on 12/29/2005 12:12:02 PM PST by ATOMIC_PUNK
Al-Qaida operative became fountain of information for U.S.
BY JOHN CREWDSON Chicago Tribune
Moral and legal aspects aside, conventional wisdom is that torture simply isn't practical: that someone who is being tortured will say anything to make the torture stop, and that information gleaned through torture is therefore not reliable.
Some former military and intelligence officers say, however, that physically aggressive interrogation techniques that some human rights groups consider torture can be effective in the short term. When asked for specifics, the technique they cite is "waterboarding," in which water is poured over a subject's face to create the sensation of drowning. Consider Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the 39-year-old former al-Qaida operative who was the Sept. 11 mastermind and bearer of many al-Qaida secrets.
If anyone had a motive for remaining silent it was the man known to terrorism investigators as "KSM." But not long after his capture in Pakistan, in March 2003, KSM began to talk.
He ultimately had so much to say that more than 100 footnoted references to the CIA's interrogations of KSM are contained in the final report of the commission that investigated Sept. 11.
Not that everything KSM said was believable. But much of his information checked out in separate questioning of other captures al-Qaida figures. What made KSM decide to talk? The answer may be waterboarding, to which KSM was subjected on at least one occasion, according to various accounts.
Intelligence operatives point out that while waterboarding can break through a suspect's initial resistance, it isn't effective for long-term interrogation.
Once a suspect begins to communicate, however, an interrogation specialist can put into action a wide range of far more subtle techniques, which include playing to a subject's ego or pretending to be his friend.
(Excerpt) Read more at kansas.com ...
Of course. Why do you think our domestic traitors are against "aggressive interrogation"? Because they know it works. And that might mean the US might win. And make Bush look good. And that's the torture they fear the most.
Shameless self absorbed torturous PING
But what about his Fifth Amendment rights?
* I'm kidding.
.
I wonder what other methods are used?
I mean jeez, with drugs today, you could convice one of these monsters they were talking to Bin Laden himself and spill all his guts.
I love the "drugs" idea,that's an interrogation technique that the libs and Hollyweanies would probably love,because they're all convinced of a lot of stuff that's "real" on their drugs too!! That way all of the terrorists and libs,of our world could commune and "brainstorm" together, {meantime, we could corral them all and shoot them into outer space,they would be too busy trying to fix the world to notice!!!}Yep,I like the drug idea,good one.
I hope they did not offend this poor soul.
Seems they weren't always singing from the same sheet of music back then. I've noticed lately we're hearing more from al-Z than from bin Laden. We know what bin Laden did with those in his way; I wonder if al Z shared this leadership style? Could this explain bin Laden's silence?
(I read this on Lucianne earlier and the implication was made by another, so credit goes to them. I'm glad you posted this article.)
Sang like a Bird did he? Good.
Oh wow, you could have gotten info out this guy with a couple of hot wax treatments!
IIRC this is the guy who took a bullet in the groin during his capture. In a society that is so male and sex organ centric as Arab societies are, I am guessing that said injury, the threat of more, and/or the promise of repairs were probably more effective in wringing this guy dry than any waterboarding.
I'm not Arab but a bullet in the wahoo would have my undivided attention. Threatening me with another bullet or threatening to not treat my injury would tend to make me willing to cooperate. And using the "$6 million man" promise of rebuilding him bigger, better, stronger? Well, tell me what you want to know. I'm not gonna lie cuz I know you're gonna check it out and I want you to keep your promise of turning my wounded wonder worm into a burka bustin zipperzilla.
Remember the captured Iraqi who knew about attacks coming against American soldiers? An American officer fired a gun next to him, scaring him into talking. It saved American lives. Of course our Army responded by bringing charges against him. The net is that intimidation worked. So much for the "it doesn't work" assertion.
Actually, I was leaning towards duct tape. Or else a bottle of Nair.
Thanks for the ping!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.