US Lets Allies Detain, Grill Terror Suspects

Program could lead to prisoner abuse, bad intel, critics say

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted May 23, 2009 3:53 PM CDT

(Newser) – The Obama administration is stepping up its reliance on foreign allies to capture, interrogate, and detain mid-level terror suspects seized outside of Iraq and Afghanistan, the New York Times reports. In the last 10 months, Middle Eastern governments have handled the cases of about six al-Qaeda operatives. “It’s the preferred method now,” said a former official, but some activists are worried.

Critics say the program, which President Bush initiated, is vulnerable to prisoner abuse and faulty intelligence. But US officials, who often provide the information leading to suspects’ arrests, are focused on deciding where to house high-level suspects long term. Referencing militants held by Pakistan, an official explained, “The issue is: Where do they get parked so they stay parked?”

[Images (5)]

[Quotes (1)]

In this file image reviewed by the U.S. Military, guards escort a Guantanamo detainee. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, File)

President Barack Obama pauses as he delivers an address on national security, terrorism, and the closing of Guantanamo Bay prison. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

In this photo taken Tuesday, May 12, 2009 and reviewed by the U.S. military, a chair and shackles mounted to the floor sit inside a room used for interrogations and interviews of Guantanamo detainees,... (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

In this photo, reviewed by the U.S. military, a Guantanamo detainee stands at his cell window yelling. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

In this image reviewed by the U.S. Military, a Guantanamo detainee walks past a cell block at Camp 4 detention facility. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

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As a practical matter you
have to rely on partner governments, so the focus should be on pressing and assisting those governments to handle those cases professionally.
- Tom Malinowski, Human Rights Watch.

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US Lets Allies Detain, Grill Terror Suspects