The Torture Career of Egypt's New Vice President: Omar Suleiman and the Rendition to Torture Program

[Joanne98]

When Suleiman was first announced, Aljazeera commentators were describing him as a "distinguished" and "respected " man. It turns out, however, that he is distinguished for, among other things, his central role in Egyptian torture and in the US rendition to torture program. Further, he is "respected" by US officials for his cooperation with their torture plans, among other initiatives.

Katherine Hawkins, an expert on the US's rendition to torture program, in an email, has sent some critical texts where Suleiman pops up. Thus, Jane Mayer, in The Dark Side, pointed to Suleiman's role in the rendition program:


Each rendition was authorized at the very top levels of both governments....The long-serving chief of the Egyptian central intelligence agency, Omar Suleiman, negotiated directly with top Agency officials. Walker described the Egyptian counterpart, Suleiman, as "very bright, very realistic," adding that he was cognizant that there was a downside to "some of the negative things that the Egyptians engaged in, of torture and so on. But he was not squeamish, by the way" (pp. 113).

Stephen Grey, in Ghost Plane, his investigative work on the rendition program also points to Suleiman as central in the rendition program:

http://www.opednews.com/articles/The-Torture-Career-of-Egyp-by-Stephen-Soldz-110129-181.html

[MannyGoldstein]

1. Are we still using Egypt to outsource torture?

I asked that the other day, and was ridiculed. But the "extraordinary rendition" program is still in place. Obama says that we don't torture, but Bush said that too.

[dipsydoodle]

2. I think the whole of Egypt

is now aware that he is "respected" by US officials for his cooperation with their torture plans, among other initiatives.

I think he's drawn the short straw.