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The War Profiteers - War Crimes,
Kidnappings & Torture |
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August 3rd,
2009 - Group Wants Probe of Contractor Role in Renditions |
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Group Wants Probe of Contractor
Role in Renditions By Richard Lardner Associated Press August 3, 2009 Washington - A United
Nations working group on Monday urged Congress to investigate whether the
U.S. government used private contractors to secretly transport terror
suspects to clandestine prisons. The group said it has
collected "worrying information" about companies being involved in
rendition flights, but provided no other details during a news conference
held to discuss the conclusion of its two-week visit to the U.S. Employing contractors for
such sensitive and classified work can undermine accountability for those
operations, the group said. Formed in July 2005, the five-member group of
independent experts examines allegations of human rights violations by
private military and security companies. Under the rendition program,
alleged terrorists are moved from one country to another without formal
extradition proceedings. It can involve moving prisoners to the custody of
governments where harsh interrogation techniques, including torture, are
known to be used. The U.S. government has insisted it does not move prisoners
to third countries without assurances they will not be tortured. Shaista Shameem, the group's
chairwoman, said the panel is awaiting further details, but wants Congress to
take the lead. "The evidence is what we're waiting for," she said.
"But this is something that we also want Congress to launch an
investigation into. It's not something that we could delve into during the
limited time that we had here." CIA spokesman George Little
said the agency does not comment on "contractual relationships it may or
may not have with private firms or individuals." He called rendition
"a lawful tool that over many years has taken terrorists off the
streets." The working group said it
also was concerned about the Obama administration's objections to a
congressional proposal that would prohibit the use of contractor personnel in
interrogations. The proposed ban was included in the Senate's version of the
2010 defense authorization bill. The White House said that in
a limited number of cases, a for-hire interrogator may have "the best
combination of skills to obtain critical intelligence." Barring them
could prevent the U.S. "from conducting lawful interrogations in the
most effective manner," the administration said. But due to the alleged
involvement of contractors in "in the ill-treatment of detainees in U.S.
custody," the group is calling on the administration to reconsider its
position. Overall, the group credited
the U.S. with exercising greater control over security contractors since the
September 2007 shooting of Iraqi civilians in Baghdad by Blackwater guards.
Blackwater, now named Xe, is no longer operating in Baghdad. But the group said more
needs to be done. Among its recommendations is greater public oversight of
contracts awarded by U.S. intelligence agencies. During its visit to the
U.S., the working group met with government officials, members of Congress,
public interest groups and security industry representatives. Copyright © 2009 The
Associated Press. External link: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gArKHbu4eh-cF95PwSIsh-JAFufwD99RLSR80 |