Army reiterates ban on waterboarding

[unhappycamper]

Army reiterates ban on waterboarding
By Pamela Hess - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Nov 13, 2007 20:13:26 EST

WASHINGTON — With Congress’ approval of a new attorney general who refused to describe waterboarding as torture, the Army has sent out a message to its leaders repeating that the interrogation technique is prohibited in the military.

The service issued the Nov. 6 message “to eliminate any confusion that may have arisen as a result of recent public discourse on the subject.”

The U.S. military formally banned waterboarding as an interrogation technique in September 2006.

However, at Senate confirmation hearings last month, then-attorney general nominee Michael Mukasey repeatedly refused to say whether he considers waterboarding a form of torture, as claimed by an unlikely coalition of military officials, doctors and human rights groups.

Waterboarding is a technique that involves strapping down a prisoner, covering his mouth with plastic or cloth and pouring water over his face. The prisoner quickly begins to inhale water, causing the sensation of drowning.

The Army issued a “strategic communication hot topic” alert to its senior leaders two days before the Senate confirmed Mukasey, asking them to make sure every soldier, family member and Army civilian employee understands the ban on waterboarding. Mukasey was sworn in Nov. 9.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/11/ap_armywaterboarding_071113/



uhc comment: Interesting timing. The Army sends out a note on 11.6 and Mr. I-don't-know Mukasey is sworn in on the 9th.