This letter is from Paula J. Dobriansky, State Department Under Secretary for Global Affairs to Sen. Bingaman (D-NM) responding to the Senator’s recent letter raising concerns over an article in the Washington Post concerning allegations of certain methods and techniques used by the U.S. in dealing with detainees. Under Sec. Dobriansky assures Sen. Bingaman that the DOD is looking in to the allegations and will respond back to the Senator shortly, and that the U.S. has not surrendered the “moral high ground” in the War on Terror. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) is also cc'ed on the letter.
UNCLASSIFIED RELEASEDCRL
Dear Senator Bingaman:
Thank you for your letter of February 11, regarding
the Washington Post article of December 26, 2002, which
made certain allegations of methods by which the United
States obtains information from persons it has detained.
The Department take these allegations very seriously.
As you note in your letter, any implication that the United
States has "surrendered the moral high ground" could well
harm our long-term national security interests, and more
specifically, the War on Terror.
We are now looking into these allegations with the
Department of Defense, and expect to have a more detailed
reply for you shortly..
I hope that you find this information satisfactory as
an interim reply. Please do not hesitate to contact us if
we can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Paula J. Dobriansky
Under Secretary
forGlobal Affairs
Enclosure:
Correspondence returned
The Honorable
Charles E. Grassley,
United States Senate.
UNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFSTATE
REVIEW AUTHORITY: SHARON E AHMAD.UNCLASSIFIED
DATE/CASE ID: 16 NOV 2004 200303827
DOS-000370
UNCLASSIFIED
Drafted by Jim McNaught x7-1113
SAPAB\03 Afghan\Congressionals\Bingaman Congressional.doc
Clearances:
SA/PAB:Gfeierstein
•HH:MPhillips
G:K.Friedrich
S/WCI:R.Miller
UNCLASSIFIED
DOS-000371