ogukuo72
05-17-2004, 03:30 AM
In the movie "The Untouchables", Sean Connery asked Kevin Costner whether he was prepared to do what it takes to take down Al Capone. The recent storm over the photos of 'torture' in Iraq poses this question: is the west prepared to do what is necessary to win this war on terrorism? Is it willing to give up some of its moral high ground and moral beliefs to win this war and save lives?
Intelligence is critical in this fight. We need information, and sometimes we need information fast. Often, the information we need are possessed by people who are not willing to give it to us. We need to use techniques to pressure them to give it to us. It is nasty, it is brutish, but this is what it takes.
Of course, such interrogation techniques must be applied professionally, and within strict limits. Only as much pressure as necessary should be applied, and actual physical pain is to be avoided. This actually helps in getting the information that is needed. If the suspect understands that the interrogator is here to do a job, that he will only do as much as he needs to, and that it is in his interest to co-operate, then he will be more inclined to do so.
There is no place for gratitous behaviour. What happened at Abu Gharif <sic?> is inexcusable for the simple reason that amateurs had been allowed to handle the prisoners, and they had promptly gone out of control. The kind of humiliations used were not only gratituous but actually makes the professional interrogators' work harder by hardening the minds of the prisoners.
Having said that, we must not throw the baby out with the bath water. It is irrealistic to stop using all interrogation techniques altogether as some human rights organisation suggested. I applaud their moral uprightness, but they are being naive. And it appears to me that their moral standards are more important to them than saving the lives of those who would be hurt by terrorist attacks. If a softer and more moral method can be found to get the necessary information out of suspects, we should certain adopt it. But in the absence of anything like that, we must be allowed to get on with the job.
I realise that I must sound like some sort of cold blooded monster to some people. I apologise if I hurt the moral sensitivity of anyone. But this thing must be said. And I ask once more: is the West prepared to do what it takes?[/quote]
Intelligence is critical in this fight. We need information, and sometimes we need information fast. Often, the information we need are possessed by people who are not willing to give it to us. We need to use techniques to pressure them to give it to us. It is nasty, it is brutish, but this is what it takes.
Of course, such interrogation techniques must be applied professionally, and within strict limits. Only as much pressure as necessary should be applied, and actual physical pain is to be avoided. This actually helps in getting the information that is needed. If the suspect understands that the interrogator is here to do a job, that he will only do as much as he needs to, and that it is in his interest to co-operate, then he will be more inclined to do so.
There is no place for gratitous behaviour. What happened at Abu Gharif <sic?> is inexcusable for the simple reason that amateurs had been allowed to handle the prisoners, and they had promptly gone out of control. The kind of humiliations used were not only gratituous but actually makes the professional interrogators' work harder by hardening the minds of the prisoners.
Having said that, we must not throw the baby out with the bath water. It is irrealistic to stop using all interrogation techniques altogether as some human rights organisation suggested. I applaud their moral uprightness, but they are being naive. And it appears to me that their moral standards are more important to them than saving the lives of those who would be hurt by terrorist attacks. If a softer and more moral method can be found to get the necessary information out of suspects, we should certain adopt it. But in the absence of anything like that, we must be allowed to get on with the job.
I realise that I must sound like some sort of cold blooded monster to some people. I apologise if I hurt the moral sensitivity of anyone. But this thing must be said. And I ask once more: is the West prepared to do what it takes?[/quote]