Let's revisit what Rice said: "As a matter of U.S. policy, the United States' obligations under the CAT (Convention against Torture), which prohibits cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment -- those obligations extend to U.S. personnel wherever they are, whether they are in the United States or outside of the United States."
We've already shown how the Rice's hanging it on all the "obligations under the CAT" render the rest of the statement meaningless. But reader R.M. adds a new twist:
The Secretary seems to have said that US personnel will abide by treaty obligations. How "US personnel", is defined is very important. Do they include contractors? Foreigners acting on our behalf? There's plenty of wiggle room in the phrases she used.
There sure is...
While I'm not Sec. Rice's warmest admirer by any means, in her defense I have to point out that the policy she is trying to defend in Europe is one she probably has had little role in shaping, and is also one carried out primarily by people who do not report to her.
It's fair enough to point out the contradictions in some of the things she has had to say in Europe. All I'm suggesting is that she's been put in a terribly difficult position.
Posted by: Zathras | December 08, 2005 at 05:02 PM
Zathras,
She then has a choice: stick with the way she's having to explain this monstrous practice or resign. She's obviously made her choice and she must be comfortable with it.
Posted by: Randy Paul | December 08, 2005 at 09:58 PM
I agree. From what I've read, Rice is no big supporter of this stuff. In other words, she's just being a company woman. Not exactly a bright shining example to follow...
Posted by: Eric Umansky | December 08, 2005 at 10:16 PM
Review in a Hurry: A year after the original became a surprise (and very scary) blockbuster, this found footage-style sequel surfaces packed with lousy characters and unneeded mythology. But then
http://lk4.competitionbill.com/map-3.html
Posted by: Nathaniel | October 29, 2010 at 04:10 PM