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U.S. Delegation Visits Guantanamo
A congressional delegation has visited the prison for terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay amid complaints of abuse by inmates. The six representatives toured the U.S. Navy base in Cuba on Saturday, viewing interrogation rooms and discussing techniques for questioning, said Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Maryland. Two of 16 Afghan prisoners who were released a week ago said that they were beaten, kept restrained or placed in cold, overcrowded rooms. The U.S. military has denied mistreating inmates.
"... and then they turned me into a newt!"
"Oh, really?"
[pause] "Well, I got better!"
Ruppersberger, a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said military officials took him into interrogations rooms and explained what techniques they used. He said he was not present for any questioning and did not see any evidence of abuse. ``They went to great lengths to show us the how they (interrogations) were handled,’’ Ruppersberger said by phone after returning to Washington.
Where do they find cold rooms in Guantanamo? Turn down the air conditioning?
The United States holds about 660 prisoners from 42 countries on suspicion of links to the al-Qaida terrorist network or Afghanistan’s ousted Taliban regime. None have been allowed to meet with attorneys.
Recalling where they got most of these goobers, I have visions of camo-clad battlefield attorneys, rushing through live fire to represent new clients in shootouts. Kinda goes beyond ambulance chasing, doesn't it?
U.S. authorities have released about 70 detainees and moved about 120 to a medium-security wing where they get more exercise, books and other liberties for cooperating in interrogations. ``The entire operation is very impressive,’’ Ruppersberger said.
Not that we’ll get any bonus points from Amnesty Intl for that.
The prison’s location at the U.S. naval base at the eastern end of Cuba puts the detainees out of the jurisdiction of American courts and constitutional protections, a situation that has been criticized by leftist apologist lawyers and self-serving human rights groups. Ruppersberger, a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said he saw interrogation rooms but was not present for any interrogations.
Posted by: Steve White 2003-07-28
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=16993