Rice pledges Hicks, Habib probe

[struggle4progress]

<snip>
Prime Minister John Howard arrived in the US today for the first leg of his world trip, and Rice said US President George W Bush would be happy to discuss prisoner issues when the two leaders meet later this week.

"If there are any questions about the treatment of Australian detainees, the President and his entire team are prepared to discuss them and to address them, because Prime Minister Howard and the Australians have been terrific allies," Rice said.
<snip>

Two Australians, David Hicks and Mamdouh Habib, are being held by US authorities at the American military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
<snip>

Mr Howard will meet California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in LA tomorrow and has a breakfast meeting with President Bush in Washington DC on Thursday.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,9723966%5E1702,00.html

[boobooday]

1. We're in the process of thinking about coming up with a plan

And when we get around to it, we might consider considering your concerns.



http://www.wgoeshome.com

[struggle4progress]

2. "When we have time, we'll see if either guy is still alive"

[pinto]

3. How do you spell "pander" Condi? We hold US citizens incommunicado,

yet the entire Presidential team, whatever the fuck that means, are prepared to discuss Australian detainees' issues, not on the merits - as in the law - but 'cause "Australians have been terrific allies".

How many times can you change the rules to meet "the team's" need.

I shouldn't ask.

[pinto]

4. I ought to update my rant. My peeve and point is that this admin uses

people to meet poltical ends...irregardless of international or national law....

no "editorial" implication from me about the AU detainees...or US detainees.

and so forth

[struggle4progress]

5. The Bushistas really have no principles.

[struggle4progress]

6. Related links

Hicks told ASIO about beatings by jailers

AUSTRALIAN officials were told directly by David Hicks of beatings at the hands of US soldiers 12 months before John Howard insisted no complaints had been received.
<snip>

The revelations contradict Mr Howard's suggestion last month - after The Australian uncovered claims by a cellmate that Hicks had suffered abuse - that there was no evidence of mistreatment in custody.
<snip>

Mr Kemish said Mr Habib had complained that his detention was a form of "torture", of being kept in rooms that were "too cold" and of being forced to have vaccinations for TB and the flu.

Habib had also made serious complaints about his treatment by Egyptian authorities before his transfer to Guantanamo Bay. Mr Kemish said Australian officials would also seek to view videos kept of the two suspects' treatment as part of the US investigation.
<snip>

http://townsvillebulletin.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,9738662%5E421,00.html


Bush plan angers Hicks' lawyers

Lawyers for David Hicks and Mamdouh Habib are concerned the inquiry will be a military investigation and not transparent enough.
<snip>

But Mr Bush stopped short of giving an assurance that Hicks and Habib had not been subjected to mistreatment during their two years in US detention.

A military investigation into the treatment of Hicks and Habib began earlier this week after a request from Australia and following complaints from the lawyers for the two men.

Hicks' lawyer Stephen Kenny said he did not have much confidence in the inquiry.
<snip>

http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1274&storyid=1427540