Knowledge of Abuse May Go Higher Yet

The Washington Post ^ | May 16, 2004 | R. Jeffrey Smith

[neverdem]

Army intelligence officers suspected that a Syrian and admitted Jihadist who was detained at Abu Ghraib prison outside Baghdad knew about the illegal flow of money, arms and foreign fighters into Iraq. But he was smug, the officers said, and refused to talk. So last November, they devised a special plan for his interrogation, going beyond what Army rules normally allowed.

An Army colonel in charge of intelligence-gathering at the prison, spelling out the plan in a classified cable to the top U.S. military officer in Iraq, said interrogators would use a method known as "fear up harsh," which military documents said meant "significantly increasing the fear level in a security detainee." Their aim was to make the 31-year-old Syrian think his only hope in life was to talk, undermining his confidence in what they termed "the Allah factor."

According to the plan, interrogators needed the assistance of military police supervising his detention at the prison, who ordinarily play no role in interrogations under Army regulations. First, the interrogators were to throw chairs and tables in the man's presence at the prison and "invade his personal space."

[jaykay]

This is a PR disaster, no matter what.

The Bush admin should've made it clear such measures of discomfort and even humiliation would be used to save American lives.

This is a big failure by the admin.

When should they have made it clear? Before the "scandal?" That may have weakened the effectiveness of the interrogation tactics. If the jihad monkeys knew what to expect, they could prepare themselves. After the "torture" was exposed, I agree, they should have said: "Yeah, we are going to do what has to be done to save lives of soldiers and U.S. citizens. If you don't like, it, vote for kerry and surrender."

[Poodlebrain]

A Syrian captured in Iraq should not be entitled to the protections of the Geneva Conventions. I have no problems with any means of interrogating such person as long as physical torture is not involved.

[Right_in_Virginia]

"First, the interrogators were to throw chairs and tables in the man's presence at the prison and "invade his personal space."

I've seen worse on the Jerry Springer show.

[capt. norm]

They have to do everything they can to keep this story afloat because this is the only thing the liberals have that has come close to working for them.

All the other attempts to smear George W. Bush have had the same success rate as Wiley Coyote and his Acme devices had on the Roadrunner.

[XHogPilot]

These morons need to read the Geneva Conventions and attempt to understand the principles within.

A non-uniformed combatant is not entitled to squat!

[csvset]

I'm not about to register at Washington .comPost

Try Bugmenot

[Chieftain]

[bushfamfan]

You're right, it doesn't look good. I will be voting for Bush, but we have to admit it wouldn't be a surprise if he loses. The media and Demonrats and their propaganda are just despicable and never stop.

[VanZant]

Oh, I disagree with you. Rather's decision to publish the photos was total treason. Brokaw is the only one left with a modicum of patriotism. Rather and Jennings are tied in my book as the biggest anti-american slimeballs.

[patriciaruth]

believe captured terrorists have less rights than my dog

Your dog has the right to your love and loyalty. :-)

Mature people don't get hysterical at reality or the truth; they deal with it.

There was one poster here who became hysterical, or is a clever mole. Either way, no respect from me.