No Red Cross Access to Detainees

In today's NY Times, we have a US spokesperson essentially confirming that we hold prisoners in secret locations around the world. And, despite new requests from the Red Cross to have access to them, we continue to deny such access:

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 - The United States said Friday that it would continue to deny the International Committee of the Red Cross access to "a very small, limited number" of prisoners who are held in secret around the world, saying they are terrorists being kept incommunicado for reasons of national security and are not guaranteed any rights under the Geneva Conventions.

Adam Ereli, the State Department's deputy spokesman, said the United States would not alter its position after the president of the International Red Cross said in Geneva that his organization was holding discussions to gain access to all detainees, including those held in secret locations.

Mr. Ereli said that the Geneva Conventions requiring humane treatment of prisoners of war did not apply to certain terrorism suspects seized as "unlawful enemy combatants," but that, in any case, the United States treats most of them as prisoners of war.

It continues to mystify me why we believe the Geneva Conventions don't require humane treatment of enemy combatants. And, if, "in any case, the United States treats most of them as prisoners of war," then why shouldn't the Red Cross have access to them? The Red Cross is supposed to have access to prisoners of war. Furthermore, if as Condi Rice says, we treat all detainees humanely, then why do we continue to argue so forcefully that we don't have to?


Frankly, the lies of this administration are so transparent, I just don't understand why everyone isn't just laughing at them. Perhaps it's because when you look at what they are doing to our country, it's clear it isn't a laughing matter.