Interrogation Techniques in the War on Terrorism ("A-X Memo")

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FOR: SECRETARY OF DEFENSE DepSec Action
FROM: General Richard B. Myers, CJC
Approve Disapprove Other
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DECLASSIFIED BY 60324 Tr BAY S
ON 06-14-2011
Per e-mail dated
6/7/2011
e,
SECDEF HAS SEEN
APR 1 6 2003
CM-883-03
5 April 2003
SUBJECT: Interrogation Techniques in the War on Terrorism CS)
• Pcr our discussion on 31 March regarding the Working Group Report on
Detainee Interrogations in the Global War on Terrorism, a proposed memorandum
to Commander, USSOUTHCOM, approving certain interrogation techniques is
enclosed foryour signature (TAB).
RECOMMENDATION: (U) Approve the memorandum at TAB.
COORDINATION: (U) NONE
Attachment:
As stated
Prepared By:
Derived From: Report dated 6 Mar 03
Subj: Working Report on Detainee Interrogations
in the Global War on Terrorism: Assessment of Legal,
Historical, Policy, and Operational Considerations
Declassify On: 7 Mar 13
-1-11s.(6-1
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REGRADED SECRET WHEN N
SEPARATED FROM TAB
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Ain' C DEFEMSE
IUSN; OCJCS Legal Counsel
CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20318-9999
ACTION MEMO
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sifted By: Secretary of
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Deci. On:2 April 2
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DECLASSIFIED EY 50324 LTC BALT SABjgab
0Di 06-14-2011
Per e-mail dated
6/7/2011
eff-TIINOFORN
THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
1000 DEFENSE PENTAON
WASHINGTON, DC 2030 1-1 000
APR 16 2003
MEMORANDUM FOR THE COMMANDER, US SOUTHERN COMMAND
SUBJECT: Counter-Resistance Techniquesinthe War -on ---------------
U)
(U) established on January 15, 2003.
X/NF) I have •considered the report of the Working Group that I directed be
ti(NF) I approve the use of specified counter-resistance techniques, subject
to the following:
(U) a. The techniques I authorize are those lettered A-X, set out at Tab A.
(U) b. •These techniques must be used with all the safeguards described
at Tab.B.
c. Use of these techniques is limited to interrogations of unlawful
combatants held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
(S) d. Prior to the use of these techniques, the Chairman of the Worldng
(U) Group on Detainee Interrogations in the Global War on Terrorism must brief you
and your staff.
ANF) I reiterate that US Armed Forces shall continue to treat detainees
humanely and, to the extent appropriate and consistent with military necessity,
in a manner consistent with the principles of the Geneva Conventions. In
addition, if you intend to use techniques B, I, 0, or .X, you must specifically
determine that military necessity requires its use and notify me in advance.
S/NF) If, in your view, you require additional interrogation techniques for a
particular detainee, you should provide me, via the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff, a Written request describing the proposed technique, recommended
safeguards, and the rationale for applying it with an identified detainee.
(U) (Nothing in this memorandum in any way restricts your existing authority
to maintain good order and discipline among detainees.
Attachments:
As stated
(U)
UI
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Per e-mail dated
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W-R/INIOFORN
TAB A
INTERROGATION TECHNIQUES
(U1 /NF) The use of techniques A - X is subject to the general safeguards as
provided below as well as specific implementation guidelines to be provided by
the appropriate authority. Specific implementation guidance with respect to
techniques A g is provided in Army Field Manual 34-52. Further
implementation guidance with respect to techniques R - X will need to be
developed by the appropriate authority.
s,()K/ /NF) Of the techniques set forth below, the policy aspects of certain
techniques should be considered to the extent those policy aspects reflect the
views of other major U.S. partner nations. Where applicable. the description of
the technique is annotated to Include a summary of the policy issues that
should be considered before application of the technique.
(U) A. X8/ /NF) Direct: Asking straightforward questions.
B. ($;4/NF) Incentive/Removal of Incentive: Providing a reward or removing a
privilege, above and beyond those that are required by the Geneva Convention,
from detainees. (Caution: Other nations that believe that detainees are entitled
to POW protections may consider that provision and retention of.religious items
(e.g., the Koran) are protected under international law (see, Geneva III. Article
34). Although the provisions of the Geneva Convention are not applicable to the
interrogation of unlawful combatants, consideration should be given to these
views prior to application of the technique.)
C. (Ks/ /NF) Emotional Love: Playing on the love a detainee has for an
individual or group.
{U) ID. t4/ /NF) Emotional Hate: Playing on the hatred a detainee has for an
individual or group.
E. OK/ /NF) Fear Up Harsh: Significantly increasing the fear level in a detainee.
{U) F. /NF) Fear Up Mild: Moderately increasing the fear level in a detainee.
(U) G. /NF) Reduced Fear: Reducing the fear level in a detainee
H. (X/ /Nr) Pride and Ego Up: Boosting the egu of a detainee.
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I.*/NF) Pride and Ego Down: Attacking or insulting the ego of a detainee,
not beyond the limits that would apply to a POW. [Caution: Article 17 of
Geneva lit provides, "Prisoners of war who refuse to answer may not be
threatened, insulted, or exposed to any unpleasant or disadvantageous
treatment of any kind." Other nations that believe that detainees are entitled to
POW protections may consider this technique inconsistent with the provisions
of Geneva. Although the provisions of Geneva are not applicable to the
interrogation of unlawful combatants, consideration should be given to these
views prior to application of the terlinique.)
J. M7 /NF) Futility: Invoking the feeling of futility of a detainee.
IL N/NF) We Know All: Convincing the detainee that the interrogator knows
the answer to questions he asks the detainee.
L. ({(/NF) Establish Your Identity: Convincing the detainee that the
interrogator has mistaken the detainee for someone else.
M. 015(iNF) Repetition Approach: Continuously repeating the same question to
the detainee within interrogation periods of normal duration.
(U) N. g'//NF) File and Dossier: Convincing detainee that the interrogator has a
damning and inaccurate file, which must be fixed.
O. /NF) Mutt and Jeff: A team consisting of a. friendly and harsh
interrogator. The harsh interrogator might employ the Pride and Ego Down
technique. [Caution: Other nations that believe that POW protections apply to
detainees may view this technique as inconsistent with Geneva 31I, Article 13
which provides that POWs must be protected against acts of intimidation.
Although the provisions of Geneva are not applicable to the interrogation of
unlawful combatants, consideration should be given to these views prior to
application of the terhfrique.]
P. 1g/ /NF) Rapid Fire: Questioning in rapid succession without allowing
detainee to answer.
Q. ;(,,S/ /NF) Silence: Staring at the detainee to encourage discomfort.
R. /NF) Change of Scenery Up: Removing the detainee from the standard
interrogation setting (generally to a location more pleasant, but no worse).
S. gj/NF) Change of Scenery Down: Removing the detainee from the standard
interrogation setting and placing him in a setting that may be less comfortable;
would not constitute a substantial change is environmental quality.
T. ( //liF) Dietary Manipulation: Changing the diet of a detainee; no intended
deprivation of food or water; no adverse medical or cultural effect and without
intent to deprive subject of food or water, e.g., Shot rations to MREs.
(U)
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(U)
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Tab A
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/ /NF) Environmental Manipulation: Altering the environment to create
moderate discomfort (e.g., adjusting temperature or introducing an unpleasant
smell). Conditions would not be such that they would injure. the detainee.
Detainee would be accompanied by interrogator at all times. [Caution: Based
on court cases in other countries, some nations may view application of this
technique in certain circumstances to be inhumane. Consideration of these
views should be given prior to use of this technique.]
V. )/NF) Sleep Adjustment: Adjusting the sleeping times of the detainee
(e.g., reversing sleep cycles from night to day.) This technique is NOT sleep
deprivation.
W. (X(/NF) False Flag: Convincing the detainee that individuals from a
country other than the United States are interrogating him.
X. /MP) Isolation: Isolating the detainee from other detainees while still
comp ying with basic standards of treatment. [Caution: The use of isolation as
an interrogation technique requires detailed implementation instructions,
including specific guidelines regarding the length of isolation, medical and
psychological review, and approval for extensions of the length of isolation by
the appropriate level in the chain of command,. This technique is not known to
have been generally used for interrogation purposes for longer , than 30 days.
Those nations that believe detainees are subject to POW protections may view
use of this technique as inconsistent with the requirements of Geneva III,
Article 13 which provides that POWs must be protected against acts of
intimidation; Article 14 which provides that POWs are entitled to respect for
their person; Article 34 which prohibits coercion and Article 126 which ensures
access and 'basic standards of treatment Although the provisions of Geneva
are not applicable to the interrogation of unlawful combatants, consideration
should be given to these views prior to application of the technique.]
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Tab A
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TAB B
GENERAL SAFEGUARDS
X/NF) Application of these interrogation techniques is subject to the following
general safeguards: (i) limited to use only at strategic interrogation facilities; (ii)
there is a good basis to believe that the detainee possesses critical intelligence:
(iii) the detainee is medically and operationally evaluated as suitable
(considering all techniques to be used in combination); (iv) interrogators are
specifically trained for the technique(s): (v) a specific interrogation plan
(including reasonable safeguards, limits on duration, intervals between
applications, termination criteria and the presence or availability of qualified
medical personnel) has been developed; (vi) there is appropriate supervision;
and, (vii) there is appropriate specified senior approval for use with any specific
detainee (after considering the foregoing and receiving legal advice).
(U) The purpose of all interviews and interrogations is to get the most
information from a detainee with the least intrusive method, always applied in a
humane and lawful manner with sufficient oversight by trained investigators or
interrogators. Operating instructions must be developed based on command
policies to insure uniform, careful, and safe application of any interrogations of
detainee's. '
{U} /NF) Interrogations must always be planned, deliberate actions that take
into account numerous, often interlocking factors such as a detainee's current
and past performance in both detention and interrogation, a detainee's
'emotional and physical strengths and weaknesses, an assessment of possible
approaches that may work on a certain detainee in an effort to gain the trust of
the detainee, strengths and weaknesses of interrogators, and augmentation by
other personnel for a certain detainee based on other factors.
X/NF) Interrogation approaches are designed to manipulate the detainee's
emotions and weaknesses to gain his willing cooperation. Interrogation
operations are never conducted in a vacuum; they are conducted in close
cooperation with the units detaining the individuals. The policies established
by the detaining units that pertain to searching, silencing, and segregating also
play a role in the interrogation of a detainee. Detainee interrogation involves
developing a plan tailored to an individual and approved by senior
interrogators. Strict adherence to policies/standard operating procedures
governing the administration of interrogation techniques and oversight is
essential.
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Tab B
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//NF) It is important that interrogators be provided reasonable latitude to
vary techniques depending on the detainee's culture, strengths, weaknesses,
environment, extent of training in resistance techniques as well as the urgency
of obtaining information that the detainee is known to have.
X/NF) While techniques are considered individually within this analysis, it
must be understood that in practice, techniques are usually used in
combination; the cumulative effect of all techniques to be employed must be
considered before any decisions are made regarding approval for particular
situations. The title of a particular technique is not always fully descriptive of a
particular technique. With respect to the employment of any techniques
involving physical contact, stress or that could produce physical pain or harm,
a detailed explanation of that technique must be provided to the decision
authority prior to any decision.
Tab B
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