| < Go Back |
| |
For Immediate Release
September 19, 2006 |
| |
Shays, Castle Urge House
Leadership to Only Consider Military Tribunal Legislation
That Fully Adheres to Geneva Convention
Washington, D.C. – In a letter to House Leadership,
Representatives Christopher Shays (R-CT) and Mike Castle (R-DE),
today highlighted their support for S. 3901 and asked that
any legislation considered by the House ensure the United
States fully maintains its commitment to the Geneva Convention.
Representatives Jim Leach (R-IA) and Jim Walsh (R-NY) also
signed the letter. The text of the letter is below:
Dear Majority Leader Boehner, Majority Whip Blunt, Chairman
Hunter, Chairman Sensenbrenner and Chairman Hyde:
As Senate leaders and the White House discuss compromise
language to establish tribunals for unlawful enemy combatants,
we are writing to express our strong support for the
principles outlined in S. 3901, the Military Commissions Act,
as adopted by the Senate Armed Services Committee, and ask
that any legislation considered by the House ensure the United
States fully maintains its commitment to the Geneva Convention.
We believe that the approach taken by the Senate Armed Services
Committee, and, in particular, its approach to Common Article
3 of the Geneva Conventions and revisions to the War Crimes
Act, is vital to protecting American service members in the
field both now and in the future. We strongly support President
Bush’s efforts to defeat terrorism and also believe
these provisions will play a crucial role in winning that
struggle. They will provide vital clarity about the values
and standards by which America lives in contrast to our enemies.
President Bush has said that America will stand firm on the
non-negotiable demands of human dignity and will treat all
detainees humanely. The Committee-adopted Military Commissions
Act implements this pledge.
The Senate provisions are consistent with the newly issued
U.S. Army Field Manual on Interrogation. The Field Manual
makes it clear that abusive interrogation tactics are not
necessary to obtain information. The Manual shows that such
tactics are counterproductive and produce unreliable information.
It also warns that using such tactics endanger U.S. forces.
Indeed, in releasing the new Field Manual on September 6,
2006, Lt. General Kimmons, the Army Deputy Chief of Staff
for Intelligence said: "I am absolutely convinced [that]
no good intelligence is going to come from abusive practices.
I think history tells us that. I think the empirical evidence
of the last five years, hard years, tell us that."
It is vital we not equivocate or waiver on our commitment
to treating those in U.S. custody in the same manner we would
expect our own citizens be treated.
Contact: Sarah Moore, 202/225-5541
-30-
|
