Transcript of Gonzales-Leahy exchange on Arar (Toronto Star)

[struggle4progress]

January 18, 2007

This is an edited transcript of the exchange yesterday between U.S. Attorney-General Alberto Gonzales and Senate judiciary committee chairman Patrick Leahy.

LEAHY: ... And I understand he remained on the United States terrorist watch list so he couldn't come 50 miles or 75 miles, whatever, south into the United States without fear of being picked up again, sent back to Syria. Why is he on a government watch list if he's been found completely innocent by this Canadian commission, which actually had the information from us?

GONZALES: Senator, I've got some very definite views about this particular case, as you know...

LEAHY: Well, go ahead.

GONZALES: ... I'm just not at liberty, at this time, to ...

LEAHY: Let me ask you this: Why aren't you at liberty? I don't understand that. It's not a matter of executive privilege.

GONZALES: No, sir, again, and I'm not ...

LEAHY: It's only the president that can ...

GONZALES: No, I'm not suggesting that I will not be able to answer your questions. I'm just suggesting I can't do it today.

LEAHY: Why?

GONZALES: I just – sir, I'm not – there is not a position – I can't represent the position of the executive branch on this particular issue ...

LEAHY: But why was he sent to Syria instead of Canada?

GONZALES: Well, again, Senator, I'd be happy to answer these questions I think we can say a lot more about it, if you just simply give me some additional time.

LEAHY: ... We knew damn well, if he went to Canada, he wouldn't be tortured ... We also knew damn well, if he went to Syria, he'd be tortured ... And it is easy for us to sit here comfortably in this room knowing that we're not going to be sent off to another country to be tortured, to treat it as though, well, Attorney-General Ashcroft says we've got assurances. Assurances from a country that we also say, now, we can't talk to them because we can't take their word for anything? ...

GONZALES: ... But before you get more upset, perhaps you should wait to receive the briefing ...

LEAHY: How long?

GONZALES: I'm hoping that we can get you the information next week.

LEAHY: Well, Attorney-General, I'll tell you what I'll do: ... I'll wait next week for that briefing. If we don't get it, I guarantee you there will be another hearing on this issue ...

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/172671

[PSPS]

1. Why the velvet-glove treatment for these thugs?

He refuses to answer questions, makes vague promises about "hoping to answer next week," which means he won't answer then either.

Why not just jail the criminal thug until he decides to cooperate?