Judy: That's an argument against hasty execution, not one in
favour of denial of due process (let alone torture).
Eric: No, it's an argument in favor of removing terrorists
from the criminal justice system. Nobody has responded to it
yet. The author wrote:
The Federal prison system has a straightforward mission:
incarcerate. There are no interrogation requirements needed,
it being assumed that all the questioning necessary for the
prison sentence was accomplished at or prior to trial.
Conversely, the provisions for both incarceration and
interrogation exist and are fully functioning at Guantanamo
Bay. The unique detention/interrogation capabilities of
Joint Task Force – Guantanamo provide the environment for
secure detention of terrorists while being able to conduct
long term, through interrogation under humane conditions.
The objectives military interrogation are simple: learn as
much as possible about America’s sworn enemies, their
organization, and possible operations directed against this
country. Behind bars at Guantanamo are men who are
knowledgeable of al Qaeda organization, recruiting,
training, bomb manufacture, financing, money laundering, and
operations. The role of an interrogator is to learn
information that then is handed off to analysts who assemble
complex jig-saw puzzles that transcend linguistic, cultural,
national, and ideological zones. The process is painstaking
and difficult. Our people are becoming masters at it.
Sometimes a single missing piece, a casual bit of
information from a detainee, may be sufficient to bring the
entire picture into focus. This is where terrorists held in
America may add value. Their secret information could be a
long-term, positive addition to vital knowledge in this
ongoing war. Convicted terrorists are better held in Gitmo
where they may or may not talk than strapped to a gurney
waiting lethal injection or simply doing time in prison. In
John Lindh’s case, for example, he does not repent his al
Qaeda affiliation but has further radicalized himself in a
California prison and has become a “role model” for other
potential jihadist prisoners. What good it this to the
greater need? His secrets will likely never be revealed.
Certainly if these thugs receive lengthy prison sentences
that time is better served in Guantanamo. It seems the most
logical option.
During the 911 Commission proceedings much was made of the
artificial “wall” that then Assistant Attorney General Jamie
Gorelick and others installed that forbad law enforcement
and intelligence communities from conversing. There was a
justifiable outcry to tear down this information exchange
wall. It is common knowledge in the community that the
missions of interrogators – criminal or intelligence – vary.
The justice system simply wants to build a solid criminal
case against an individual while the military interrogators
seek to thwart and overcome an enemy.
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