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GOP SENATORS ON DETAINEES
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ShareSeptember 19, 2006 2:40 PM
ABC's Liz Marlantes reports: A few tidbits on the negotiations over detainee legislation from GOP senators heading into the policy luncheons:
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) - a close ally of the WH - indicated that the general approach of the new WH proposal was to leave Common Article 3 intact and revise the War Crimes Act to provide the specificity the CIA says it needs. He stressed repeatedly that the two sides "share the same goal" and that there's a "good faith effort going on on the part of both camps to try to come up with a solution," adding: "I think we will resolve this very soon." But he also said he said the situation was still "in flux," and that it was his understanding some sort of counterproposal was being sent back to the WH. What about the issue of using classified evidence? "I think that still remains an outstanding issue."
Sens. Warner (R-VA) and McCain (R-AZ) would not divulge any specifics as to what the new WH language entailed or where the negotiations stood, other than to say they thought progress was being made. Warner said they were having a "very instructive and productive dialogue" with senior officials. McCain was even less forthcoming: "The process continues." Can you give us a status report? "No." Why not? "Because I've been through these many many times and it's always changing and it doesn't do any good in the middle of the process to get specific."
Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) addressed the matter for the cameras - and vigorously attacked the Warner/McCain/Graham bill, saying it would "subject our personnel to international courts and vague standards" and that it would "allow terrorists to access classified information, including sources and methods" (he said it could even expose the names of CIA operatives). He also said that Warner/McCain/Graham "does not have 60 votes" (of course, neither does the WH bill). He said he was "encouraged" by the efforts under way, and that there was a general agreement on goals, adding that he believes the Senate can "get this done" over the next week and a half. He twice ignored questions as to whether, if they do not "get this done" by the end of next week, he would consider keeping the Senate in session longer to finish the legislation.
September 19, 2006 | Permalink | User Comments (1)
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Here's a site that lets you easily have an impact on this ongoing debate. Tell your senators to respect the Geneva conventions and the international rule of law:
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/involved/warcrimes091906.html
Posted by: Patrick McElwee | Sep 19, 2006 3:22:07 PM
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