Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales defended the United States' human rights record in its fight against terrorism while recognizing that Europeans may have "differences" over aspects of the nation's treatment of detainees.
Speaking at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London yesterday, Gonzales addressed concerns raised by human rights campaigners in Europe over the legality of the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, allegations of torture by U.S. interrogators, and the use of "rendition" flights in which terrorism suspects are transported between countries for interrogation.
Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales defended the United States' human rights record in its fight against terrorism while recognizing that Europeans may have "differences" over aspects of the nation's treatment of detainees.
Speaking at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London yesterday, Gonzales addressed concerns raised by human rights campaigners in Europe over the legality of the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, allegations of torture by U.S. interrogators, and the use of "rendition" flights in which terrorism suspects are transported between countries for interrogation.
Gonzales declined to comment on specific methods of questioning, including allegations that the United States has used "waterboarding," a technique in which a suspect is strapped on a board and subjected to near-drowning.
Asked about the use of dogs, Gonzales said, "I can't confirm with you today whether or not that is still accepted or adopted policy. I don't think that it is."
Gonzales said the definition of torture under which U.S. forces operate referred to the "the intentional infliction of severe, and I emphasize severe, pain or suffering."
On the issue of rendition flights, Gonzales said the United States does not transfer prisoners to any country where it believes they would be tortured.
