CIA Memo re: enhanced interrogation program

000-1080 J. TOP SECRET (Security Classification' This Page left intentionally blank. 0001082 TOP SECRET TOP SECRET 00e1083 ( TOP SECRET 0001084 TOP SECRE CIA000511 TOP SECRET1 • 0001086 TOP SECRET TOP SECRET SECTION 1.0.- OVERVIEW - 1.1 Overview Efforts against the Al Qaeda terrorist organization have ushered nuncifeds of suspected and known group members into custody. Many of these detainees have proven to be sources of actionable intelligence dealing with a wide range of counter terrorist issues.-A small number of these detainees are recognized as well-placed Al Qaeda operatives, who hold secret considerable information on their organization's past activities and future plans. These targets of higher value, or High Value Targets (HVT), have been uncooperative during debriefings, and resistant to our standard interrogation efforts. In fact, extensive experience with Al Qaeda prisoners has made it evident that certain detainees have received formal training in techniques to resist interrogations, and that they are particularly adept at . using cultural differences as both an interactive impediment to the interrogation "process and as a psychological support mechanism behind which to hide. from interrogative efforts. As the war against terrorism continues, more HVTs will be captured. In order to effectively deal with this special population, Director, Counter Terrorist Center tasked the to set up and train interrogation teams whose members have the skills and experience necessary to navigate past resistance, and employ systematic interrogation strategies to acquire intelligence. Incumbent to this approach is resistance technique identifidation, and„when serviceable, implementation of certain specialized countermeasures. 0001088 TOP SECRET 000108-9 TOP SEC RET 10 0001090 TOP SECRET TOP SECREll 11 TOP SECRET as6phistiCaled level of resistance training is available to high-risk Al Qaetla operatives. To this end; skillfully crafted effective countermeasures have been developed in such a way not to violate United States Federal and International torture prohibitions. 12 - 0001092 TOP SECRET, CIA00051 9 TOP SECRET 2.2 Anticipated Future Demand Results from the first Al Qaeda HVT interrogated using the aforementioned enhanced techniques, Abu Zubayda, have been outstanding. Abu Zubayda reached .a satisfactory level of compliance in August 20D2. Since April, the interrogation team has produced lactionable intelligence disseminations . from Abu Zubaydah. This has ultimately led to some instances of the US Government being able to neutralize Al Qaeda capabilities worldwide before there was an opportunity for those capabilities to engage in operations harmful to the United States. Because of this, US Government decision makers have a positive view of the program, and there ispressure to increase HVT Interrogation Program capabilities in the shortest time possible. As the success of the program and Of other counter Al Qaeda activities continues to lead to the capture of additional HVT candidates, it can-be reasonably expected. that intelligence disseminations will lead to even more HVT candidate captures and the likewise increase in demand for more HVT program services. 23 Operational Assumptions Required resources will be approved and available for the HVT Interrogation Program as depicted in Section 4. Such resources are critical to the success of the Program's ability to Meet identified customer requirements. • 13 0001093 TOP SECRET, TOP SECRE -1 The program will provide for the increase in demand of fully qualified psychological services by carefully increasing:thenumber of interrogation psychologists from a •limited.pool of appropriate candidates, maintaining expertise through an aggressive , training and mentoring program with well documented oversight of all activities to ensure quality control. 4 0001094 TOP SECRET TOP SECRET 2.4 Technology As directed by the Director of Central Intelligence on 28. • January 2003; Interrogator's may only use "permissible interrogation techniques", Permissible techniques include Standard and Enhanced- IAII techniques require prior Headquarters approval based on the provision of a detailed interrogation plan. Standard Interrogation Techniques: These are techniques that do not incorporate physical and psychological pressure. These techniques include, but are not limited to all lawful forms of questioning employed by iU.S. law and military interrogation personnel. Isolation, sleep deprivation (not to exceed 48 hours), reduced caloric intake (so long as the amount is calculated to maintain the general health of the detainee), deprivation of reading material, use of loud noise (not 15 00010'35 TOP SECRFII • /6 TOP SECRET • damaging); and the use of "diapers" for limited -periods _ ), and moderate psychological pressure are authorized. Shackles may be Used for security reasons while a detainee is standing; so long as due care is taken .to ensure that the shackles are neither too loose nor too tight for physical safety] Accordingly, where shackles are to be employed on a standing detainee's wrists; they should be shackled loosely and at the level of the detainee's head to avoid problems during this phase. Please note that shackles may be used to keep a detainee in a standing position during periods of non-enhanced sleep deprivation (shorter than 72 hours), so long as the aforeMentioned considerations are followed. • Enhanced Techniques: Involves techniques that DO incorporate physica: 1_ or psychological pressure beyond standard techniques. All tecniquas are designed to not engender lasting and severe mental or physical harm to the detainee. It is understood that some interrogation techniques incorporate mild physical pressure It is not intended, however, that the detainee actually suffer severe physical or mental pain; 16 0001056 TOP SECRET in addition, appropriately trained medical and -psychological perS'o'nnel are present throughout the procesS. Our attorneys have presented our legal analysis to the legal adviser to the National' Security Council, to the Office of Legal Counsel at the Department of Justice, and to the Criminal Division at Justice, and the Counsel to the President has been briefed as well. These enhanced techniques include: Facial slap Facial hold Attention grasp Abdominal slap Walling Stress positions. Sleep deprivation beyond 48 hours Use of diapers for prolonged periods Use of harmless insects Cramped confinement Water Board The use of each technique for each detainee is dependent to specific temporal, physical', and related conditions, including a competent evaluation of the medical and psychological state of the detainee. The use of each specific enhanced technique must be approved by Hea•quarters in advance, and may be employed only by approved interrogators for use with the specific detainee, with appropriate medical and psychological participation_ in the process. Compliance to' Safety and legal issues will be addressed before any app 'cation of physical pressures can be used against the detainee. The • detainee's physical and emotional state will be a prime consideration before any application of physical pressure. 17 .043010.97 TOP SECRET TOP SECRET These techniques will be used on an as needeitzl basis arid not a o t ese techniques will -necessarily- be. used. The interrogation team will use these techniques in some combination to convince the detainee . that the only way he can influence-his environment is through cooperation. Generally; these techniques are used in an escalating fashion, culminating in the water/board, but not necessarily ending in this technique. Note: the techniques generally lose their effectiveness after several repetitions. 18 0001098 TOP SECRE //' TOP. SECRET 22 0001102 TOP SECRET TOP SECREI 23 0001103 . TOP SECREll C IA000530 TOP SECRE1 24 0001104 TOP SECRO ;5" TOP SECRET'I • I 25 0001105 TOP SECRET C IA000532 26 0001106 TOP SECRET C IA000533 ( I 27 0001107 TOP SECRET. CIA000534 TOP SECRET 28 0001108 TOP SECRET 29 00-01109 TOP SECRET TOP SECRET 30 ( 00 01110 TOP SECRET 31 000 1111 TOP SEC P31 30Z 32 0001112 TOP SECRET 33.0001113 • TOP SECRET 34 0001114 TOP SECRET ( 35 0001115 TOP SECRET 36 00011.16 TOP SECRET