- It is Better That We As Canadians Clear the Air than to Have it Come up in the International Criminal Court, in The Hague.

Excerpt submitted to:

Debate on torture allegations very painful process to watch, Stephen Maher, 26 Nov.'09
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Opinion/1154609.html
and
Warnings on detainees were e-mailed
to MacKay's office, Steven Chase, Nov. 26, 2009
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/warnings-on-detainees-were-e-mailed-to-mackays-office/article1377821/ Tab 38 & Tab 40


Maher, I think you make a good point. The three Generals that testified yesterday do have an interest in the outcome of this. It is also very understandable that they would defend their troops. In fact, if they weren't prepared to do that, they shouldn't have been in the positions they were.

It is a bit unfair to expect these people to dedicate their lives to fighting for Canada then attack their credibility for doing their job. But, the same can be said for Colvin and, most importantly, the truth must be know. The only way to do this is to allow an independent judicial body have access to all the pertinent documents - i.e. a Public Inquiry. Harper knows this, MacKay knows this, everyone knows this. It is better that we do this as Canadians than to to have it come up in the International Criminal Court, in The Hague.

One major problem that Harper, MacKay, the three Generals, and anyone else that says there were no concerns, have is the extent of the clear and convincing, uncontradicted and very serious reports publicly available to all the World regarding the abuse and torture in the Afghan prisons as set out by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, US Department of State, United Nations, etc. This was put to the Generals yesterday when they were testifying but without a clear and direct answer.

It is unimaginable that any professional diplomat stationed in Afghanistan, or anybody in Foreign Affairs dealing with Afghanistan would not be aware of these materials, assuming they can read, of course. Any E-mail that even insinuated torture or abuse of prisoners should have jumped out of the page and smacked the reader in the face. Also, For MacKay, Harper or the three Generals to say there was no proof is a ludicrous position to take for obvious reasons and I would be very surprised if it offered a defense to war crime charges.

Also, it was put to Hillier very bluntly, "was it his opinion that Canadian troops were not violating International Law, or domestic law, by transferring the Afghan prisoners to the Afghan authorities" [sic]. Once again there was no direct blunt "yes", or "no", but a vague, meandering response that left the answer very unclear. Given the times allotted to the MP's and that they may not be trained in Cross-Examination, it was left in this very unsatisfactory state. This is, of course, a vital question going right to the heart of the matter and demanded a "yes" or "no" answer. At an Inquiry, it is much more likely that we would get the answer.

Lloyd MacIlquham cicblog.com/comments.html