Rumsfeld orders a prisoner hid from Red Cross

[Questioninggeller]

From Fox News
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,122897,00.html

"A prisoner at Abu Ghraib was hidden from Red Cross inspectors on the orders of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, U.S. officials told Fox News. "

The prisoner's situation, as first reported by U.S. News and World Report on Monday, was described as the result of a directive issued from the top American commander in Iraq, Gen. Ricardo Sanchez. However, Fox News has learned, the order to hide the detainee seems to have come from the Pentagon.

Officials describe somewhat of an odyssey for this prisoner, known in some circles as "prisoner XXX," saying he was a senior member of the terror group Ansar al Islam. Once captured, intelligence and military officials quickly determined he harbored a great deal in the way of valuable intelligence information.

"He knew Ansar al Islam's leadership structure, he knew their training techniques and he knew the locations of their camps and some of their operatives," the official said.

The "XXX" situation was first reported two days ago by US News and World Report, which ties the order to hold "XXX" out of the sight of ICRC inspectors directly to Sanchez, commander of ground forces in Iraq. The order, to the 800th military police brigade at Abu Ghraib, instructed that the prisoner be held of sight of the ICRC until further notice.

U.S. officials tell us tonight that doing so, in this particular case, was perfectly legal, saying someone who represents a direct threat to occupying forces does not have to be registered with the Red Cross "right away."

 

[Tony]

I'd like to see another source before I believe this right-wing propaganda.

 

[zakur]

Good one, Tony.

Rumsfeld ordered prisoner held "off the books"

Pentagon officials tell NBC News that late last year, at the same time U.S. military police were allegedly abusing prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison, U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld ordered that one Iraqi prisoner be held “off the books” — hidden entirely from the International Red Cross and anyone else — in possible violation of international law.

It’s the first direct link between Rumsfeld and questionable though not violent treatment of prisoners in Iraq.

[...]

Pentagon officials still insist Rumsfeld acted legally, but admit it all depends on how you interpret the law.

Its a good thing they had their lawyers working on it, then.

 

[shemp]

I'd like to see another source before I believe this right-wing propaganda.

OK, how about this from MSNBC:

Rumsfeld ordered prisoner held off the books

Pentagon officials tell NBC News that late last year, at the same time U.S. military police were allegedly abusing prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison, U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld ordered that one Iraqi prisoner be held "off the books"-- hidden entirely from the International Red Cross and anyone else -- in possible violation of international law.

Edited to add: Damn you Zakur!

 

[Questioninggeller]

I'd like to see another source before I believe this right-wing propaganda.

LOL... I hate foxnews too, but I force myself to read that junk because that is what the right seem to listen to.

 

[subgenius]

And rikzilla who promised to work for Kerrey if it turned out that the torture was not an isolated incident not approved by higher ups, will find some reason to renege on his pledge.

There is no point in trying to change people's opinions anymore.
Just remember Bush did not win the popular vote last time. No one who didn't vote for him will this time. And many who did will not.

 

[Bjorn]

And rikzilla who promised to work for Kerrey if it turned out that the torture was not an isolated incident not approved by higher ups, will find some reason to renege on his pledge.

I have no reasons to believe so. He promised to vote for Kerry (not to work for him, IIRC), and I think he will.

 

[crackmonkey]

I read that it was Tenet that asked for the prisoner be held in secret. What does this have to do with higher-up approved torture?

 

[gnome]

I have no reasons to believe so. He promised to vote for Kerry (not to work for him, IIRC), and I think he will.

Has he said that the evidence has reached his agreed threshhold yet?

 

[PogoPedant]

Funny thing: the founder of Ansar al-Islam lives in Norway. There used to be an investigation against him with the intent of leveling charges of terrorism. Of course, now that at least one key witness has been reported to have been abused, and several others are still in us custody, the investigation is dropped. Can't use testimony given under duress, can't take responsebility for torture. The mullah Krekar walks free.

 

[Bjorn]

Funny thing: the founder of Ansar al-Islam lives in Norway. There used to be an investigation against him with the intent of leveling charges of terrorism. Of course, now that at least one key witness has been reported to have been abused, and several others are still in us custody, the investigation is dropped. Can't use testimony given under duress, can't take responsebility for torture. The mullah Krekar walks free.

I saw that, and it's a pity if a guilty man won't be punished. However, you have some testimony from a guy in Abu Ghraib in Iraq, the Norwegian police go there to talk to him, and he says 'I lied, I was just forced to say something'.

It's a bit difficult to prove he wasn't .....

 

[Bjorn]

Has he said that the evidence has reached his agreed threshhold yet?

Not as far as I know - he hasn't commented one way or another, I think.

We have IMHO more reasons to believe (that the orders were coming from the top) now than we had then, and I don't think we have seen the end - personally, I think someone close enough to the White House will be held responsible. And Rik will vote for Kerry.

 

[Tricky]

Could this be another reason for Tenet's resignation? He knew this was going to break and pre-empted the inevitable outcry. Now, as an ex-member of the administration, he can safely be scapegoated.

 

[patnray]

Could this be another reason for Tenet's resignation? He knew this was going to break and pre-empted the inevitable outcry. Now, as an ex-member of the administration, he can safely be scapegoated.

I always assumed that was part of the reason for his "resignation".

 

[Frank Newgent]

Could this be another reason for Tenet's resignation? He knew this was going to break and pre-empted the inevitable outcry. Now, as an ex-member of the administration, he can safely be scapegoated.

Call me an optimist but isn't Tenet also now free and in a position to testify against Bush/Cheney over the Plame outing?