Chimp_junta poo-poos anti-torture legislation
Senate Debates Treatment for Detainees - Yahoo! News: "WASHINGTON - U.S. troops interrogating terrorism suspects don't know which techniques are permitted and Congress owes it to them to establish clear standards, Senate Republicans said Wednesday, opening a politically volatile debate over the treatment of detainees.
The White House opposes legislation that would impose restrictions on the Pentagon's detention, interrogation and prosecution of prisoners, arguing that it would tie the president's hands in wartime.
Despite a veto threat, Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., are trying to tack that legislation onto the $440 billion military spending bill. Votes could come as early as Wednesday night.
McCain's amendment would ban the use of 'cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment' against anyone in U.S. custody and require all U.S. troops to follow procedures in the Army Field Manual when they detain and interrogate suspects. Graham's amendment would define 'enemy combatant' and put into law procedures for prosecuting detainees at Guantanamo Bay.
'Confusion about the rules results in abuses in the field. We need a clear consistent standard,' McCain, a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War, said on the Senate floor.
Graham, an Air Force judge for 20 years, added: 'We have let the troops down when it comes to trying to give them guidance in very stressful situations.'
Opposing the effort, Sen. Ted Stevens (news, bio, voting record), R-Alaska, said that requiring all U.S. troops to follow procedures in the Army manual is not practical in the current war environment. 'The techniques vary upon the circumstances and the physical location of people involved,' he said."
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The White House opposes legislation that would impose restrictions on the Pentagon's detention, interrogation and prosecution of prisoners, arguing that it would tie the president's hands in wartime.
Despite a veto threat, Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., are trying to tack that legislation onto the $440 billion military spending bill. Votes could come as early as Wednesday night.
McCain's amendment would ban the use of 'cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment' against anyone in U.S. custody and require all U.S. troops to follow procedures in the Army Field Manual when they detain and interrogate suspects. Graham's amendment would define 'enemy combatant' and put into law procedures for prosecuting detainees at Guantanamo Bay.
'Confusion about the rules results in abuses in the field. We need a clear consistent standard,' McCain, a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War, said on the Senate floor.
Graham, an Air Force judge for 20 years, added: 'We have let the troops down when it comes to trying to give them guidance in very stressful situations.'
Opposing the effort, Sen. Ted Stevens (news, bio, voting record), R-Alaska, said that requiring all U.S. troops to follow procedures in the Army manual is not practical in the current war environment. 'The techniques vary upon the circumstances and the physical location of people involved,' he said."
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posted by A. J. Franklin @ 11:35
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