Reply #103: There is some good information here, but

[Turkw]

I do have several problems with it.

1- the manuals, these are the old ones, I want to see where in the current courses torture is being taught. The current courses listed seem very reasonable, thought I do not rule out a need for expansion of information on human rights and democracy.

2 the watch list does not give when the people listed graduated.

3- the watch on graduates is very good, however it is in a vacuum, I need some more information to make an informed decision.
a.What is the percentage of graduates that attend the reformed school\current curriculum that go on to do human rights abuses.
b. What is the percentage of military officers from the different South American Countries that go to the SOA.
c. What is the percentage of military officers from the different South American Countries that do not attend the school who are involved with human rights abuses.

Why this information is critical, to prove your case you have to show either
a that there is a direct increase of officers that engage in human rights violations who are graduates of the SOA per country, or as a general trend over all.
or
b that abusive material is currently being taught
or at the very least
c the SOA has no positive effect at all

Until then, with the history of human rights violations in South America as a whole, by pro- and anti- government forces, I have to conclude that the cultural environment is the causal factor. The SOA could be an useful tool in combating it.

I will say, and have in other posts, that I am not opposed to further reform and over site of the SOA in what ever incarnation it exists. This is neither unreasonable nor unattainable and I do not believe that Clark would be opposed to this. I think that better vetting of guest instructors and students in highly appropriate.