Retired Generals Agree That Waterboarding Is Torture And Is Illegal

 

. . . Letter Sent To Judiciary Chairman
Says Plainly What AG Nominee Will Not

 

WASHINGTON (Monday, Nov. 5) – On the eve of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s scheduled vote on the nomination of Attorney General nominee Michael Mukasey, Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Monday released a letter from four retired military generals who concur with Leahy that “waterboarding” is torture and that it is illegal.

 

The letter was written by Brigadier General David M. Brahms, United States Marine Corps (Ret.); Major General John L. Fugh, United States Army (Ret.); Rear Admiral Donald J. Guter, United States Navy (Ret.); and Rear Admiral John. D. Hutson, United States Navy (Ret.).  Admiral Hutson testified before the Judiciary Committee Oct. 18 as part of the Mukasey confirmation hearings.

 

“In the course of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s consideration of President Bush’s nominee for the post of Attorney General, there has been much discussion, but little clarity, about the legality of ‘waterboarding’ under United States and international law,” the generals wrote.  “We write because this issue above all demands clarity:  Waterboarding is inhumane, it is torture, and it is illegal.”

 

Leahy has scheduled a Committee vote on the Mukasey nomination for Tuesday, Nov. 6.  In a news conference Friday in Vermont, Leahy announced his opposition to the nomination. 

 

A PDF of the retired Generals’ letter is available here.