Monday, December 15, 2003

More Torture! More!

Another great moment in journalism. Leslie Stahl practically begs Rumsfeld to torture Saddam. For what reason? Who the hell knows.

Mr. RUMSFELD: Well, we don't know yet, but to the extent he was involved in the insurgency after the war. That one would--a lawyer might is that--that he might be something either different from or in addition to. And that--that's why I just said he would be accorded the protections for the time being of a prisoner of war, and--and certainly his treatment would be governed by the Geneva Convention.

STAHL: Let--let me ask you--raise the whole question of--of--for lack of a better term--torture. Let's say he's not forthcoming. Would we deprive him of sleep? Would we make it very cold where he is, or very hot? Are there any restrictions on the way we treat him to get him to cooperate more than he has been?

Mr. RUMSFELD: You know, the--to even raise the word "torture" in terms of how the United States military would treat this person, it seems to me, is--is a--unfortunate. We don't torture people. And here's a man who has tortured to death tens of thousands of people, conducted rape and--and--and brutality the likes of which it would be difficult find a--a--a--a more vicious and brutal dictator who--in--in--in our adult lifetimes. And I just told you that he would be treated according to the Geneva Conventions.

STAHL: Well, you know, some...

Mr. RUMSFELD: And--and to suggest that anyone would be engaged in torture or conduct inconsistent with the Geneva Conventions it seems to me is--is not on the mark at all.

STAHL: Sleep deprivation? No? You're ruling it completely out, is what you're telling us?

Mr. RUMSFELD: I'm not telling you anything other than I have just told you. He will be treated according to the Geneva Conventions, and given the protections of a prisoner of war.


From 60 minutes last night.