Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s office used a “6,000-mile screwdriver” to oversee the denial of reports of Afghan detainee abuse when the scandal first erupted in 2007, according to a former senior NATO public affairs official who was then based in Kabul.
The former official, speaking on condition his name not be used, told the Toronto Star that Harper’s office in Ottawa “scripted and fed” the precise wording NATO officials in Kabul used to repudiate allegations of abuse “at a time when it was privately and generally acknowledged in our office that the chances of good treatment at the hands of Afghan security forces were almost zero.”
“It was highly unusual. I was told this was the titanic issue for Prime Minister Harper and that every single statement that went out needed to be cleared by him personally,” said the former official, who is not Canadian. (emphasis mine)
OK, so one anonymous source said that. However, Harper is a micro-manager, terrified of any bad press, and would have been informed by those whose position it is to inform him of sensitive issues. Can anyone doubt that the torture of detainees handed over by our troops is sensitive?
His own security adviser, Margaret Bloodworth knew.
David Mulroney, former deputy minister of the federal government's Afghan Task Force knew.
Rick Hillier, former Chief of the Defence Staff, Canadian Forces knew. He denies having been told, but his conflicting testimony proves this is not the case.
Jill Sinclair, former assistant secretary to the cabinet for foreign and defence policy knew.
Colleen Swords, former assistant deputy minister in the international security branch of Foreign Affairs knew.
David Sproule, former ambassador to Afghanistan in 2006 and part of 2007 knew.
Arif Lalani, former ambassador to Afghanistan in 2007 and 2008 knew and censored Colvin's reports from Afghanistan.
Michel Gauthier, retired lieutenant-general who was the former commander of Canadian Expeditionary Force Command knew.
Oh, and numerous journalist, the Red Cross, Amnesty International (among other bodies of investigation) knew.
And lets not forget the many Canadians who wrote to the government, wrote letters to the editor, put up posts on the Net - they at least figured there was something to the disturbing allegations.
But somehow, Stevo claims he wasn’t informed. Never bothered looking into it. Too busy doing a photo op. With a lacrosse team. A short walk away.
In addition to our own Prop Minister enabling torture, I give special mention to the following slime minions:
Rick Hillier, for his involvement, dishonest testimony, and for using the troops.
Peter MacKay for his dishonest testimony and for using the troops.
Also for dishonesty and/or using the troops:
Van Loan, Gallant, and John Baird.
Special mention as well of all Conservative MPs and Senators for not saying a goddam thing about holding a public inquiry. They should be screaming for one. It is unrealistic to expect some, like Poilievre or Van Loan to suddenly develop a conscience, but where are all the rest? The couple I did have some lingering respect for killed that bit. This is not a case of keeping silent over some minor policy in order to do greater good by being re-elected. This involves the violation of international rights, the undermining of the Geneva conventions, and the integrity of Canada.
2 comments:
"This involves the violation of international rights, the undermining of the Geneva conventions, and the integrity of Canada."
Exaclty the point.
Opposition should never let the argument deviate from that. Just lets the CONs fog the issue.
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