Canada To Remove U.S. From Torture List

Training Manual Had Warned Diplomats That Prisoners In U.S., Guantanamo Risked Torture, Abuse

(CBS/AP)  A top Canadian official apologized for a government training manual which listed the United States and Israel, two strong allies, among countries where prisoners face torture and abuise.

In a statement, Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier said he regretted the embarrasement caused by the public disclosure of the manual, which had been developed to train foreign service employees how to deal with Canadian citizens who are detained overseas.

"It does not convey the government's views or position," he said.

According to Bernier, the manual "wrongly includes some of our closest allies," and stressed that the manual "is neither a policy document nor a statement of policy."

Bernier said the manual would be rewritten, no details were provided.

The document singled out the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay as a site of possible abuse, citing interrogation techniques such as stripping prisoners, blindfolding and sleep deprivation.

It also named Israel, Afghanistan, China, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Syria as places where inmates could face torture.

The listing drew a sharp response from the U.S., a key NATO ally and trading partner, which asked to removed from the manual.

"We find it to be offensive for us to be on the same list with countries like Iran and China. Quite frankly it's absurd," U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins told The Associated Press. "For us to be on a list like that is just ridiculous."

He said the U.S. does not authorize or condone torture.

"We think it should be removed and we've made that request. We have voiced our opinion very forcefully," Wilkins said.

Michael Mendel, the Israeli Embassy spokesman, said Israel's Supreme Court "is on record as expressly prohibiting any type of torture. If Israel is included in the list in question, the ambassador of Israel would expect its removal," he said.

A Canadian citizen, Omar Khadr, is in custody at Guantanamo. His lawyers claim that Khadr, who was arrested in Afghanistan at age 15 back in 2002, has been tortured, but Canada has long publicly said it accepts U.S. assurances that Khadr is being treated humanely.

The government inadvertently released the manual to lawyers for Amnesty International who are working on a lawsuit involving alleged abuse of Afghan detainees by local Afghan authorities, after the detainees were handed over by Canadian troops.

Dennis Edney, one of Khadr's lawyers, said the foreign affairs document shows that Canada says one thing publicly but believes something else privately.

"Canada was well aware that Omar Khadr's allegations of being tortured had a ring of truth to it. Canada has not once raised the protection of Omar Khadr when there are such serious allegations," Edney said. "What does that say to you about Canada's commitment to the rule of law and human rights? It talks on both sides of its face."

[prinzowhales]

Well, the US and Israel do torture...So F--- Y-- Canadian Government!

[erasmus6]

"We find it to be offensive for us to be on the same list with countries like Iran and China."


Well we could make up a list of countries that use LESS torture and put the U.S. on that one.:)

[quetzal666]

LOL..........Take the USA off the list and just keep the Administration on it,
that will make better sence...

[ajayvee]

Canada is currently under a Conservative minority government (which be brought down at a moment''s notice) and a federal election is anticipated sometime this year. The Jewish vote which normally goes to the Liberal party is very influential in the outcome of any federal election in Canada, so the removal of Israel from the torture-list by the current Conservative government was widely anticipated. The removal of the USA from the same list, by the same token, was also expected in light of the time-honoured bed-sharing of Conservative Canadian Prime Ministers with US presidents. So nothing strange here, all proceeding as expected.

[melcarnahan]

It''s official: The United States does "Not torture". And Singing Senator Larry Craig (Republican) is "Not Gay".

[ontheleft]

Lesson learned. It''s OK when your allies torture. The international torture laws apply only to your enemies.

[walt1944-2009]

For reasons that are still totally unclear, the Canadian government, which yesterday had listed the US(SA) on its "torture watch list", is, with much apologys, today taking both the US(SA) and Isreal OFF the list.

It is rumored that perhaps, when the Great Emperor Bush II learned of the Canadian action yesterday, he called the British government and informed them that if the US(SA) and his Isreali friends were not taken off the list immediately, he would place Canada on his "To Invade" list right behind Iran and before Syria!

The British, highly disturbed about the prospect of losing Canada to the fanatical Emperor, then put pressure on the Canadian government to "back off" and apologize, so that the Great Emperor can have his Texas barbecue in peace!

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!

[toolmangler-2009]

Well, the US and Israel do torture...So F--- Y-- Canadian Government!
Posted by Prinzowhales at 02:43 PM : Jan 19, 2008



No Muslim ever tortured anybody, just ask POW.
what B.S.

[toolmangler-2009]

Well we could make up a list of countries that use LESS torture and put the U.S. on that one.:)

Posted by erasmus6 at 02:58 PM : Jan 19, 2008


Yes, We belong on the list with Canada, England, Australia, and others.

[nirak2-2009]

Removing the US from the list, proves to me that my Country, Canada doesn''t have the guts to keep them on the List. We all know the US tortures for heavens sake.

[erasmus6]

"Yes, We belong on the list with Canada, England, Australia, and others." posted by ToolMangler


How many times do I have to tell you not to judge others by what you do?

Canada, England and Australia are the perfect examples of what a country should be. They do not torture. We are civilized.:)

[erasmus6]

"Removing the US from the list, proves to me that my Country, Canada doesn''''t have the guts to keep them on the List. We all know the US tortures for heavens sake." posted by nirak2

Hahaha, I bet our government was horrified when that came out. They were probably frantic to retract that statement. As for the U.S. government, they were probably equally horrified because it don''t look good when your closest neighbor that you have been on good terms with for years and years and years all of a sudden tells the world that they are on the torture list.

[feelfree1]

Re: "A top Canadian official apologized for a government training manual which listed the United States and Israel, two strong allies, among countries where prisoners face torture and (abuse)."

This reminds me of when Cheney''s hunting buddy apologized to Mr. ********, for getting in the way of his shotgun blast, leaving no option but for Cheney to shoot his friend in the face.

[nirak2-2009]

erasmus, I agree with you, but I think it''s about time that countries stand up for what they believe and stop kissing the USA''s butt.

[nursehope]

CANADA...GROW A SET....THE US TORTURES AND WE HAVE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION...MOST INDIVIDUALS WITH HALF A BRAIN KNOW THAT!

[toolmangler-2009]

Canada, England and Australia are the perfect examples of what a country should be. They do not torture. We are civilized.:)
Posted by erasmus6 at 04:13 PM : Jan 19, 2008



Yes, your honor, I had forgotten your all-seeing eye and righteous judgement of the facts that have eluded the world courts for so long. Please share your expertise so that we might also cast these (300,000,000) heathen swine into the sea. and rid the world of such pestilence as are called "Americans". The lowest form of scum on the Earth. (sigh)

[gkc99]

"Canada, England and Australia are the perfect examples of what a country should be. They do not torture. We are civilized.:) "--Posted by erasmus6


The list of atrocities perpetrated by English Imperial interests and their offspring in Canada (a pro-slavery corporation until about 1867) and Australia (a viciously racist country with a history of genocide) aren''t all that sparkling clean, Ms. Civilization!

[toolmangler-2009]

How many times do I have to tell you not to judge others by what you do?

Canada, England and Australia are the perfect examples of what a country should be. They do not torture. We are civilized.:)
Posted by erasmus6 at 04:13 PM : Jan 19, 2008


You are wrong. if your beloved government got word of a Nook in Montreal, and had the guy that put it there in custody and knew beyond any doubt that he did it, and they only have 3 hours to find and disarm it, tell me "Mother Teresa" How long would you pray about it? just think that scene over for a while and put the name of the city where all your family lived in place of the name "Montreal". please tell me what "you" would do, the guy is in your hands, talk...

[toolmangler-2009]

I ''am'' not justifying torture, I am however being a realist. Just tell me how YOU would handle that situation.

[andor3]

"Canada doesn''t have the guts to keep them on the List. We all know the US tortures for heavens sake."

nah removing the US from the list means nothing--the U.S. tortures and Canada called them on it by putting them on the list-- a gutsy move. So the U.S. was placed on the list, that is what matters.

If the list was later revised under pressure, that is merely a footnote that does not change the fact the U.S. was chosen to be on the list, and yes in the company of Iran and China, despite the ambassador objection.

[erasmus6]

"...but I think it''''s about time that countries stand up for what they believe and stop kissing the USA''''s butt." posted by nirak2

I agree.

[babooph]

With Bush being such a "Christian" shouldn''t he go to crusfiction instead of drowning for his torture method?

[andor3]

ToolMangler said: "Just tell me how YOU would handle that situation."

There you go again. Why is it people seem to keep thinking torture is effective despite the evidence to the contrary. That is, not only is it immoral, it does not work, no matter how many silly contrived scenarios you come up with.

[feelfree1]

andor3,

Re: "Why is it people seem to keep thinking torture is effective despite the evidence to the contrary."

Way too much TeeVee, I reckon.

[erasmus6]

ToolMangler

"Canada, England and Australia are the perfect examples of what a country should be." posted by erasmus6

I was joking!

"...and rid the world of such pestilence as are called "Americans". The lowest form of scum on the Earth. (sigh)"

Geez, I am glad you said that and not me!


"if your beloved government got word of a Nook in Montreal, and had the guy that put it there in custody and knew beyond any doubt that he did it, and they only have 3 hours to find and disarm it..."

I would expect the government to do whatever was necessary to get the information.:) I don''t believe I have said that it is never called for. But I do not believe that it is called for unless they are positive that a person is involved in something, not just a suspect.

[toolmangler-2009]

That is, not only is it immoral, it does not work, no matter how many silly contrived scenarios you come up with.
Posted by andor3 at 05:22 PM : Jan 19, 2008



You are arguing semantics, I made the scenario about the Nooks and millions of lives at stake, answer the question, don''t dance around it, JUST ANSWER IT.

[toolmangler-2009]

What are you willing to do to save lives?

[feelfree1]

ToolMangler,

Re: "What are you willing to do to save lives?"

We could always torture you, and claim that it saved lives. If anyone doubts our claims, we could simply torture you into confessing that your torture was a major victory against TERRA.

[toolmangler-2009]

But I do not believe that it is called for unless they are positive that a person is involved in something, not just a suspect
Posted by erasmus6 at 05:27 PM : Jan 19, 2008



Now we are getting somewhere, that is all I ever intended to elicit from you. I like Canada, personally. Do I believe that Canadians ''walk on water'' compared to America? of course not, nor do I believe that America is the people we have been portrayed as. but so many go to extremes to ''categorize'' us for any number of things that ''ONE'' American does. We are viewed id the same way that Clergy is viewed. (gotta be perfect)and it isn''t fair to us or anybody.

[terrorislam6]

hahaha

canada folds like a cheap suit LOL

maybe it is time for canada to defend their own POS country with their own tax dollars and their two ship navy

hahaha

how are you going to protect your citizens, throw tin cans at the enemy???

SAVAGELY BEATEN, TORTURED & RAPED

Iranian-Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi was savagely beaten, tortured and raped while in Iranian custody in 2003, according to Dr. Shahram A%u2019zam, an emergency-room doctor who examined her before she died.
http://www.iran-press-service.com/ips/articles-2005/april-2005/kazemi_report_1405.shtml
http://www.buzztracker.org/2005/04/01/Tehran.html

[terrorislam6]

hahaha

canada folds like a cheap suit LOL

maybe it is time for canada to defend their own POS country with their own tax dollars and their two ship navy

hahaha

how are you going to protect your citizens, throw tin cans at the enemy???

SAVAGELY BEATEN, TORTURED & RAPED

Iranian-Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi was savagely beaten, tortured and raped while in Iranian custody in 2003, according to Dr. Shahram A%u2019zam, an emergency-room doctor who examined her before she died.
http://www.iran-press-service.com/ips/articles-2005/april-2005/kazemi_report_1405.shtml
http://www.buzztracker.org/2005/04/01/Tehran.html

[jowand]

We could always torture you, and claim that it saved lives. If anyone doubts our claims, we could simply torture you into confessing that your torture was a major victory against TERRA.
Posted by FeelFree1 at 05:39 PM : Jan 19, 2008

From the terrorist sympathizer in chief

[toolmangler-2009]

Posted by FeelFree1 at 05:39 PM : Jan 19, 2008



Feely, thats cheap, even ''you'' know what I am saying
bet you can''t say it without washing your mouth out later.

[radiob-2009]

Erasmus how come you are not out investigating our water supply as I requested, I appointed you as head water tester.

[j-whitman]

Babooph,,,, Good question, but I think Tree-Huggers would object to using trees to build the cross & all the people obsessed with crucifiction would oppose it.

[toolmangler-2009]

lars008 please go back, the nurses are looking for you. Its time for your Meds

[jowand]

terrorislam6, Jesus isn''''t coming back until you get that Mosque off the Temple Mount....HAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Posted by FloydZepp at 05:46 PM : Jan 19, 2008

Don''t tell Mr Abracadabra of Iran this, it''ll be gone in a week.

[ajayvee]

Considering that the Canadian government also ordered Israel''s name be removed from the list of countries that torture, I can''t help but notice that not a single American has dared complain about that fact neither on this forum nor on a similar other. Makes it pretty obvious who owns whom in the great US of A.

[j-whitman]

jowand,,,, Abracadabra of Iran --- Good one, that I can pronounce

[jowand]

Makes it pretty obvious who owns whom in the great US of A.
Posted by ajayvee at 05:50 PM : Jan 19, 2008

Moveon.o-r-g-a-s-m of course, after all according them they paid for it.

[abdoul_pasha]

Goodevening!

[jowand]

jowand,,,, Abracadabra of Iran --- Good one, that I can pronounce
Posted by j-whitman at 05:52 PM : Jan 19, 2008

Hey Whitman when is the Cal'' primary vote going to be held, do you think it will be all over by then?

[j-whitman]

Abdoul,,, Hello, how''s things in your part of the world today ????

[toolmangler-2009]

Makes it pretty obvious who owns whom in the great US of A.
Posted by ajayvee at 05:50 PM : Jan 19, 2008



yes, China and WalMart on the USA. You just thought it was the Jews.

[jowand]

Goodevening!
Posted by Abdoul_Pasha at 05:52 PM : Jan 19, 2008

Buenas tardes

[abdoul_pasha]

http://img166.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1269ni2.jpg
my treat

[j-whitman]

jowand,,, Thanks for reminding me, I''ve got to fill out my absentee ballot. It''s due by Feb 5th. --- Last day to regeister is Jan 22.

[b-easy63]

Canada does not have to lie and remove us from that list--they should just change the list''s title to warning Diplomats of the "Enhanced Interrogation Techniques list" and list The United States along with Israel, Afghanistan, China, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Syria as places where inmates could face such techniques.


Even our Rovian diplomats could not argue that down. LOL

[abdoul_pasha]

Fine because it`s free day. But tomorrow it`s not going to b e so pink.

[jowand]

http://img166.imageshack.us/my.php?image
=1269ni2.jpg
my treat
Posted by Abdoul_Pasha at 05:57 PM : Jan 19, 2008

Is it *** R PG13 PG OR G rated ???