An email between FBI officials discussing how the FBI should approach interrogations in Afghanistan, and specifically discussing the need for guidance. The email focuses in part on the differing approaches of the military and the FBI to interrogations. The email notes that FBI officials in Bagram had made clear to the military that there were certain interrogation tactics that they could participate in.
From: (Div13) (FBI) Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2004 2:29 PM To: (Div1 3) (FBI) Cc: BATTLE, FRANKIE (Div131 (FBI) -;::1-7"4reitilKef_,4:f (Divi: (FEL p ly ; 3) (FE!' 3) FBI ) -7:0' 4;14 ( iiriggiiiTMAA¦Wa 3) Subject: Issues in Afghanistan UNJCL.•SIFFn In the future please adhere to the chain of command. Although the AD, DAD and SC had no problem with your email, we (•LDU) could have saved ever/one allot of time handling your request. I realize/62 and elipyier.= out of pocket, if that happens in the future conta,.:..ttriti§ftV at anytime or via SIOC after hours. We have been handling these issues often and we have all served in Afghanistan. I realize you just hit the ground and we know the fustration of sanding down. As of right now, all Afghan ops are suspended i.e.. -.55t-s and Interviews and Interrogations, we are working to resolve this issue and hope to be back operational in the next 24 hours. We will notilM and/or= when the situation chances. Thank you in advancer= 151". SSA • p65.IT-A-r_-c".3.71ED 7-SY: CTDIMI Du Room 5382 rt,7:SCI:IN: 1.4( ) .. =...=........escasccum.a... xr........:-¦••¦¦ (202) 4-410.1.:kh 'AC rl iSS" 5' Z ON:—, ( • - • ---Original Message-- . ¦ ,. ,... From : (Div13) (FBI) Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2004 AM To: BALD, GARY M. (Div13) (FBI) Cc: SEMEEMA. (Div13) (FBI); BATTLE, FRANI-CB (Div13) (FBI (25) (OGA); HARRINGTON T J. (Div13) (FBI) (Div13) (FBI); (Divt3) (FBI); . (Div13) (FBI); (Div13) (FBI); (PH) (FBI); (Div13) (FBI) Subject: Requests immediate clarification to Begram Mission Gentlemen, I apologize for not pushing this up thru the chain of command. Please read this in detail. We advertised that we could support interrogations forward or in the roar and we are f _ b1 now being asked by to provide 2 agents forward, short duration as .art of a military- ts: . N (Peg-.interrogation team based on Mr. Balds previous meeting with 4410MeTVW11Based on — b3 crcp, guidance received to date this request seems reasonable. These missions are in support of interrogations not SSEs. Due to the urgency of the situatition and the two issues I have addressed in this email, I need an answer ASAP. I with reach out per telcall, 6(0 I Thanks, pe7ito4e,eS-413 2 FBI-0 0 0 017 1 c.73_,U 1 '4 5 • Two of.the agents with me from the Fly Team have already been approached via email, by FBI inspectors doing the internal FBI investigation on Abu G. prison in iraq. Both agents have been queried as to what they saw and did in the prison. Both have er s about what they observed in that prison. b . b t As far as the chain of command goes, I understand and are extremely busy and tied up on their own matters and have not always been available to assist in contributing to some of these timely decisions. This is not their fault, they are simply busy as hell and doing their jobs where they are located. Comms are also terrible and frustrating as hell (PAUSE) I just got on the phone with -.--0.?, 4'-zOkrOtric:' I -• have expressed my concerns and he advised he will assist me in this situation as soon as possible. I have calle daily and will continue to reach out to them re any issues. Due to matters they are working, we nave already delayed meeting face to face to discuss these issues now for 2 days. Hopefully, and I can meet this evening (5/18) if he is able to get a flight down to Bagram.f is scheduled to Tiy riere tonight. Last, for future reference if I reed an answer on something IMMEDIATELY I'm going to start calling. I will . start with and make my way up the chain. I will do everithing in my power to keep issues at your leva„ it the assignment ,.vere less complicated I wouldn't need guidance at all....1 would prefer not to b,e -( have to be in this position and seek guidance. In the cases where there is a lack of policy and Guidance I •will make decisions as an FBI supervisor based on my judgment and the information at my disposal. That's all I can do at this time. This is NOT your fault but it's the reality in which I am working with. Aside from the email from Battle and re interim guidance on investigations, $4,,gifAmni& hS - I.1?.,E-:,1.it*.'.:k:','N,TO 4'' "r Cr -..V.M47M,,0,-I have been given no guioance as to tSi . how tne :ureau conducts interview/interrogations overseas as it relates to working with the military and bCo -..specifically their hard approach techniques. (Let me qualify this with saying that and I just talked h-i a . i about this via telcall and he advised me that there is no written policy on the matter and only email traffic.) • . AI i (pVLI 0 ) - ¦,..... The faster OGC give us definitive guidance on how we conduct interviews in an environment where the / military conducts hard approach military interrogations, I may be placed in position soon where I make the decision to pull chalks on the interview part of this mission at Re OGC guidance 101 65 -1 ¦ If I'm off base here then somebody needs to so . b(p - If you want to talk on the STU, I can be reached at the Bagram number at workspace. It may take a while for me to respond in that my work space is about mile a way. Standing by for your /316-1 response, . (4-Thanks, e -7,-4/Aiees -4/445 LOP6K)0014 • E I -0000169 FBI CTLu#1 #5 66-1 6(0-i 61C- 61 (Pert 1),01) 1:3 (Pn. IDS ) bi (Kit bcD) At the present time we are supporting the military the very best vie can given the interem ouidance from Battle and general circumstances. 4:OttiMik and 6ES2Dar , no fcr,vard at ,:,f4.44.W sL:opiorting hey will not/not leave the wire unless the policy charges. They are performing interrogations (3) at this time as well the other investigative skill sets re investigative abilities that we bring to the table. The military is extremely happy we are here and assisting them. nis is just ()) one more reason that FBIHQ needs to get out a policy ASAP! Something I know you appreciate and are pushing. Re interviews/in .gatio s To me the only viable option re FBI interviews in theater is tha believe is the only approved course of b beT4IAJees-i+ii-ILL IL cT,a1 ,4,1 :4 5 co eft bob) FBI -0000158 ble-1 Subject: FW: E-mail and guidance D ATE : PL-81 ,1".4- kS' S177-17.D . ,2;-,11W4Altqle ”e REASON: 1.4( e- q h s/ 030 Lonus2/ITOS 1/CTD/FBIHO ci .4Z,SE.71: )N: ¦ T.' " LT 1; \f!. f! I ! r.!:.:r17. Original NessanP -• i‘t._11-l Fro 'I'-:4";:tfai-yam (Div13) (FBI) Sent: Tuesday, 18, 2004 6:24 AM To: Div13) (FBI) (Div13) (FBI) Cc: (Div13) (FBI) (Div13) (FBI); iTiN1*.titvg (Div13) (FBI); (Div13) (FBI); (V/F) (FBI) . Subject: RE: E-mail and guidance SE--THOIRCON,NOFORN 315n-hq-c1406946-e gattuytt-r, ve have directed 141.* to make their way back to Bagram asap. The issues you aciaresseo below were discussed when Bald visited Afghanistan, as well as post visit with -nd the command staff there. It was made very clear to the military how the FBI interiiews, what we cannot and will not participate in. We have already had one Agent v./pi-king with , -..1 gAitt4.% :-teriieviing a detainee at Bagram and provide you with details regarding these discussions upon arrival. OGC guidance will be provided as soon as it is received. MAC b 1 (Pcit ----Original Massage-- From: (Div13) (FBI) Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2004 5:24 AM To: (Div13) (FBI) Cc: (Div13) (FBI); (Div13) (FBI); (Div13) (FBI) ARWAVi, (Div13) (FBI), (Div13) (FBI), (WF) (FBI) Subject: RE: E-mail and guidance S .RETUNGFORN//ORCON be-rAboees -1-H43 10/26/2004 FBI 0 0 0 0 1 6 7 - FBI CTLU#1 #5 b3 (Pe4 po,D) (s) If CTD guidance has changed regarding the mission of agents assigned to ,Lc-1 as FBI INTERROGATORS, regardingtheir (5) activities being restricted to rear areas only, it is respectful Iv requested that SS.! , and S A be notified immediately 63 ;i1.1MO: can be reached. at: 61C.-ss- MVO Bahram) 1:4-` ss n Scene Commander (Kandahar) blC-I - TIES ECFORil-LA.TION IS EX .KENEELY SENSITIVE, CO:\liP.A .\riFYTALLZED LTJ RESTRICTED TO ti I ElArEG BY SENIOR FBI NIAN_A.GENIIEN UNCL° i+-2, be-MI tJees. FBI-0000175 FB 1,--CT-1.1 1 5 ,,,n, ;H. 6 I 63 ( per ot=. I at: recommendation is made alVt t!...-at followmE coasidern ohs -. 65-I This request is made in light of the tact that six other FBI agents, four of which are non-HRT operators, are currently embedded in . — forward deployed military units at this time (Special forces, Marines, etc.) acting in this capacity. It is-strongly recommended that P..40 1ft F," b be-muJees )-{-14( FBI-0000174 FPi U #1 "14 5 ••,- • •••- • • ¦ 'tat aViTrigTeen said, FBI agents at requesting the following clarification regardingg the mission: • . owledge of the author, this is the first time FBI agents have been directly assigne, ,avoyx.- s members n joint military/FBI interrogation teams in support cif t e military. Up to this point, agents have t a variety of locations in both CS Afghanistan and Ira. for specific interviews in support o terrorism cases etc., but have never (s) b been assigned e'VinolAVW4.,SrAinfilt-I5ak.s stated, a clarification of the FBI —17011filAntrAW-4%.%-,65 N mission regarding this assignment in regard to interrogations 137.41Wfiis respectfully requested -;-1 immediately. .- Role in onerations forward of Bagram AFB in subpart of •.1.1".,1;41.rz 1'. 4.,riti b 1 As of 5/13/2004, S.S..AAitttitiV. was advised by SSA. (Pea . . itiA th,t all F31 operations forward of Bactram .-A_FB in support oi-ii614.4W as %yell as all other FBI operations being conducted forward by Dcit:') 6(0 t FBI personnel in Afghanistan, has been placed on hold by CID management. An email received from ble-I at NILDU clarified the position to be that agents assig-ned to ..gianot participate in . I 002Pegan SSE ford of a secure area. IM0.1.4-41'n-f.-50:17. II, figth-34:Este-AAVrAgRit;:iti,4.. ',lc:T:011:4..4 ;it*: t.."Rtt, ..4oriAteto. 4,4r YA:. r. 4:,::,;1.1¦Jw4i545.11%1Via4' e TAim-ePS -4140 FBI — 0 0 0 017 3 FBI raTLI.341 #5 50h1?()nzi Message PS Email is unreliable here and sporadic TEIS LNFORilIATI ON IS EXTREMELY SENSITIVE, COMTA MENTALITFD AND RESTRICTED TO SENIOR FBI MANAGEMENT ONLY. 1b 6 616 - I bi (04 w To: CTD S.M. []; Management From: SSA Baurarn Airbase Subject: Requests immediate clarification and guidance regarding FBI mission suPnort to Bagam Airbase Cs b I (pee Do n Bottom line up front, the 4 man team (1 SSA ITOS 1 . and 3 Fly Away Team Agents) assigned to Ban-nm ATB, requests immediate guidance regarding two matters in Afghanistan.4.711M: 1. Role as Interrogators (Pea.but) Cs) FBI CTLU#1 #5 MTh/ Alees ZrA t:P7' t ‘• FBI -0000172 , • • , • .• •-• • • • • • . • SEC —THNOFORNIIORCON )1( ----Original Messaoe From 7Zd:F---4,-,VA:;?:-TV:.':f (Div13) (FBI) Sent: Monday, May 17, 2004 9:13 AM To (Div13) (FBI) Cc: (Div131 (FBI) (Div13) (Div13) (FBI), ' 1 tr" (Div13) (FBI); 1-, iv13) (FBI) Subject: E-mail and guidance UNCLASSIFIED NON-RECORD Please make certain no e-mails are sent directly to Frank Battle or Tom Harrington. an. :M4=-4410 are the OSCs and all information back to HQ MUST go through them. I understand your frustration and confusion, but until we get clear guidance from AD Bald, the three fly team personnel and yourself are to get guidance fromtgBand/orM If you need to speak to HQ please follow this chain of command: Thanks. bG Figia"a 6-le -I UNCLASSIFIED DERIVED FROM: G-3 FBI Ification Guide G-3, dated 1197, Foreign Counterintelligence investigations DECLASSIFICATION EXEM ON 1 SECRETPORCON.N0F0 beilltsdees-41`1`62 10/26/2004FBI CTLU#1 #5 FBI-00001-70 DOJFBI 003501