Pentagon reaffirms rules for doctors handling terror suspects

[deminks]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The Pentagon reaffirmed rules for medical personnel treating detainees, after a report said military doctors helped in the interrogations of prisoners at the "war on terror" prison at the US naval base in Guantanamo, Cuba.

The Defense Department also reiterated guidelines on the protection of detainees' medical information, which a medical journal said were systematically seen by interrogators.

In a public policy memorandum dated June 3, which the Defense Department made public Monday, the Pentagon stated that it is against its policy for health care personnel to "apply their knowledge and skills in order to assist in the interrogation of detainees in a manner that is not in accordance with applicable law."

The New York Times, citing former interrogators, reported Friday that US military doctors advised interrogators on how to increase stress levels and apply psychological pressure on detainees at Guantanamo.

(snip)

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050627/pl_afp/usattacksguantanamo_050627231620

[Gothmog]

1. I doubt that this is being enforced

The NYT story and the New England Journal of Medicine story both contradict this policy position.

[bobbieinok]

2. this quote is their 'out'

...in a manner that is not in accordance with applicable law."

didn't Gonzales, Atty Gen, say Geneva Convention rules are 'quaint'??