Chickens coming home to roost

It is no surprise to learn that senior advisers to US President George W. Bush approved "enhanced interrogation techniques" of Al Qaida suspects prior to their implementation.

It is likely this carte blanche gave Bush the strength to overrule the bill by Congress calling for a cessation of such methods of questioning - or torture, depending upon your point of view.

The senior advisers who were known to be present at the meetings at one time or another, where such details were discussed, include Vice-President Dick Cheney, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice (chair), Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of State Colin Powell, CIA Director George Tenet and Attorney General John Ashcroft. A more motley or duplicitous gathering is difficult to imagine.

Despite the often repeated claims of these senior personnel that they were not fully abreast of the techniques used by the CIA in questioning alleged Al Qaida operatives, it is now very clear that not only were they aware, but they also went into specific detail as to what should be done to whom, and how.

Apparently, after one meeting, Ashcroft said, "History will not judge this kindly." Forget history, the treatment is merciless at any time.