For the first time since the controversial report on the CIA’s torture of detainees was released, retired U.S. Army Major General Antonio Taguba admonished what he called "indefensible" acts cited in the report.
Here is the full transcription of Gen. Taguba’s statement, given Wednesday in an exclusive phone interview with Balitang America:
"It’s difficult to defend the indefensible, especially coming from senior government leaders who intentionally and purposely misled, deceived and lied about the torture program to the American people and Congress.
These are the same officials that took an oath, assumed their offices to defend the country and obey the Constitution of the United States to the best of their ability, to which they failed hugely in doing so.
The Senate’s report is one of several reports that have condemned torture, identified the CIA whose mission was not originally detaining and torturing detainees — because their mission was for espionage, selecting intelligence and defending our country.
So they extended that mission, thinking and believing that they had the legal authority when members of the executive offices of the White House, in stark violation of Constitution, the Geneva Convention, and laws of warfare to which the United States is a signatory.
The Senate’s report is one of many since the revelation of Abu Ghraib in 2004. The Senate Armed Services Committee report in 2008 had several findings and conclusions that the military, the CIA, and other element agencies committed the illegal detainee abuse, torture, and inhumane treatment.
However, the question that still requires answers is that who and what individuals will be held accountable for violating the rule of law? Even if they are not prosecuted, their reputation, character and identify will be known and they will not be able to hide from the truth.”
Gen. Taguba said his 2004 report played a major role in this latest report on what he calls violations of the rule of law.
Read more from Balitang America.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
