Bush: US Held Terror Suspects in Secret CIA Prisons

President Bush acknowledged today that some suspects captured in the war on terrorism had been held in secret prisons located outside the United States.

“In addition to terrorists held at Guantanamo, a small number of suspected terrorist leaders and operatives captured during the war have been held and questioned outside the U.S., in a separate program operated by the CIA,” said the President in a speech from the White House.

President Bush stated that the persons held in the CIA prisons were believed to be “key architects” of the 9-11 attacks, the attack on the USS Cole and bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. “These are dangerous men with unparalleled knowledge about terrorist networks and their plans for new attacks,” he said. “The security of our nation and the lives of our citizens depend on our ability to learn what these terrorists know.”

Also today, the White House announced the transfer of 13 suspected terrorists from CIA custody to the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the Pentagon released new directives ordering that all detainees be treated according to the Geneva Conventions.

In addition, President Bush called on Congress to pass legislation clarifying the rules of treatment of detained terrorism suspects under the War Crimes Act.

First, I'm asking Congress to list the specific, recognizable offenses that would be considered crimes under the War Crimes Act -- so our personnel can know clearly what is prohibited in the handling of terrorist enemies. Second, I'm asking that Congress make explicit that by following the standards of the Detainee Treatment Act our personnel are fulfilling America's obligations under Common Article Three of the Geneva Conventions. Third, I'm asking that Congress make it clear that captured terrorists cannot use the Geneva Conventions as a basis to sue our personnel in courts -- in U.S. courts. The men and women who protect us should not have to fear lawsuits filed by terrorists because they're doing their jobs.

On July 11, the White House announced that the government would extend the protection of Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions to all current and future military detainees in U.S. hands, including the 450 prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay. The action came in response to the Supreme Court’s decision striking down the special military tribunals for detainees proposed by President Bush in 2001. In its ruling, the Court held that Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions "applies as a matter of law to the conflict with al-Qaeda."

Also See:
Bush Warns of 'totalitarian Islamic empire' in Iraq
White House Releases New Terror War Strategy
What the President Didn't Say (Civil Liberties)