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<a href="http://www.counterpunch.org/soldz10132008.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.counterpunch.org/soldz10132008.html<br><br>
</a></font><font face="Verdana" size=2 color="#990000">October 13,
2008<br><br>
</font><h1><font face="Times New Roman, Times" size=4><b>Public At Last
<br><br>
<br>
</i></font><font face="Times New Roman, Times" size=5 color="#990000">
Guantánamo's SERE Standard Operating Procedures
</b></font></h1><font face="Times New Roman, Times" size=4>By STEPHEN
SOLDZ <br><br>
</font><font face="Verdana" size=6 color="#990000">O</font>
<font face="Verdana" size=2>ne of the most important documents of the
U.S. torture program has just become publicly available for the first
time. This is the
<a href="http://www.torturingdemocracy.org/documents/20021210.pdf">JTF
GTMO “SERE” Interrogation Standard Operating Procedure</a>, now posted on
the <a href="http://www.torturingdemocracy.org/">website</a> of the new
documentary,
<a href="http://psychoanalystsopposewar.org/blog/2008/10/10/fabulous-new-film-showing-on-public-television-torturing-democracy/">
<i>Torturing Democracy</a></i>. This document clearly specifies that the
abusive interrogation techniques to be used at Guantamo [JTF GTMO] are
based upon the military’s Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape
[SERE] program. The document is notable for its documentation of the
extent to which abuse was bureaucratically standardized for routine
use.<br><br>
Both
<a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2007/07/torture200707?printable=true¤tPage=all">
Katherine Eban</a> and
<a href="http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/08/13/070813fa_fact_mayer?printable=true">
Jane Mayer</a> referred to and described the SERE SOP back in the summer
of 2007. A bit of it was included in
<a href="http://levin.senate.gov/newsroom/supporting/2008/Documents.SASC.061708.pdf">
documents released</a> by the Senate Armed Services Committee June 17,
2008. But the bulk of the text remained classified and unavailable until
today. An FBI commentary on the SERE SOP has been
<a href="http://www.aclu.org/projects/foiasearch/pdf/DOD045202.pdf">
available </a>since February 2006 at least, in heavily redacted form
which obscured the content, but not the existence of the SOP.<br><br>
Here is the document. It is also available in
<a href="http://www.torturingdemocracy.org/documents/20021210.pdf">pdf</a>
. [as this was a draft, the formatting was inconsistent. I have corrected
some formatting. I have not corrected any typos. For example, there is
likely a "NOT" missing after the "DO" in "IT IS
CRITICAL THAT INIERROGATORS DO “CROSS THE LINE” WHEN UTILIZING THE
TACTICS DESCRIBED BELOW." Obviously, despite my best efforts at
accuracy, this text should be checked against the pdf before
citing.]<br><br>
</font>
<dl>
<dd>“FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY”<br>
<dd>JTF GTMO SERE SOP<br>
<dd>10 DECEMBER 2002<br><br>
<dd>JTF GTMO “SERE” INTERROGATION STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE<br><br>
<dd>Subj: GUIDELINES FOR EMPLOYING “SERE” TECHNIQUES DIRING DETAINEE
INTERROGATIONS<br><br>
<dd>Ref: (a) FASO DETACHMENT BRUNSWICK INSTRUCTION 3305.3D<br><br>
<dd>1. Purpose. This SOP document promulgates procedures to be followed
by I I P-GTMO personnel engaged in interrogation operations on detained
persons. The premise behind this is that the interrogation tactics used
at U.S. military SERE schools are appropriate for use in real-world
interrogations. These tactics and techniques are used at SERE school to
“break” SERE detainees. The same tactics and techniques can be used to
break real detainees during interrogation operations.<br><br>
<dd>The basis for this document is the SOP used at the U.S. Navy SERE
(Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) school in Brunswick, Maine
and is defined by reference (a).<br><br>
<dd>Note that all tactics are strictly non-lethal.<br><br>
<dd>STRICT COMPLIANCE WITH THE GUIDELINES LAID OUT IN THIS DOCUMENT IS
MADATORY!<br><br>
<dd>2. Training. All interrogators will undergo training by certified
SERE instructors prior to being approved for use of any of the techniques
described in this document.<br><br>
<dd>3. Scope. Applicable to military and civilian interrogators assigned
to JTF-GTMO, Cuba.<br><br>
<dd>TED K. MOSS<br>
<dd>LtCol, USAF<br><br>
<dd>INTERROGATION TACTICS<br><br>
<dd>1. GENERAL STATEMENT<br><br>
<dd>a. This document describes in detail the interrogation tactics
authorized for use in detainee interrogation operations at JTF_GTMO and
the safety precautions that must be used to prevent injuries. The tactics
are the same as those used in U.S. military SERE schools.<br><br>
<dd>b. ANY PHYSICAL CONTACT NOT EXPRESSLY AUTHORIZED HEREIN IS<br>
<dd>PROHIBIIED.<br><br>
<dd>c. INTERROGATION TACTICS FOLLOWED BY: ******* MAY ONLY BE USED BY
THOSE INITERROGATORS DESIGNATED IN WRITING BY THE ICE CHIEF.<br><br>
<dd>2. INTERROGATION SAFETY <br><br>
<dd>a. Approved interrogation tactics are found in Sections 3-6.<br><br>
<dd>b. Additional safeguards are as follows:<br><br>
<dd>1. Detainee behavior and reactions are continuously observed and
evaluated by the interrogator.<br><br>
<dd>2. Both the detainee’s and the interrogators behavior are monitored
by the Watch Officer.<br><br>
<dd>3. IT IS CRITICAL THAT INIERROGATORS DO “CROSS THE LINE” WHEN
UTILIZING THE TACTICS DESCRIBED BELOW. Therefore, verbal coded messages
or nonverbal signals will be used by the Watch Officer (or other
interrogators) when giving instructions to adjust interrogation
procedure. For example, two kicks on the door indicated the interrogator
should discontinue the current approach and move on to another approach.
The statement, “Stop wasting time with this pig,” means to discontinue
the current training tactic and take a break.<br><br>
<dd>3. DEGRADATION TACTICS<br><br>
<dd>a. SHOULDER SLAP. The shoulder slap is a moderate to hard, glancing
blow to the back of the shoulder with an open hand. It is used as an
irritant.<br><br>
<dd>b. INSULT SLAP. *****<br><br>
<dd>(1) The insult slap is used to shock and intimidate the detainee. The
slap is aimed at the detainee’s cheek only. Contact will be made only
with the fingers in the open hand position and the fingers will be
slightly spread and relaxed. The slap will be initiated no more than
12-14 inches (or one shoulder width) from the detainee’s face.<br>
<dd>To ensure this distance is not exceeded and to preclude any tendency
to wind up or uppercut, the slap will be initiated with the slap hand
contacting the detainee’s body on the top of the shoulder. The target
area is slightly below the cheekbone, away from the eyes and ears.
Extreme care must be taken not to strike the lower jaw. Slaps aimed at
the ears, mouth, nose eyes or throat are prohibited.<br><br>
<dd>(2) Uninterrupted or consecutive slaps are prohibited because the
detainee will duck or dodge the slap, creating possibility for an injury.
Experience has shown that after a second slap, the effectiveness of the
slap tactic is significantly reduced. Interrogators will cease using the
slap if detainee begins ducking. At this point, a threatened slap with
the hand will achieve the same purpose as a slap. Blows with the back of
the hand, fists, elbows, feet and knees are prohibited. Insult slaps are
only to be used by those interrogators designated in writing by the ICE
CHIEF.<br><br>
<dd>C. STOMACH SLAP. ******<br><br>
<dd>(1) As with the insult slap, the stomach slap is used to shock and
intimidate the detainee. The tactic is delivered with the back of the
bare hand. The slap will be directed towards the center of the abdomen.
The detainee will not be struck in the solar plexus, ribs, sides, and
kidneys or below the navel. The slap will not be performed against the
bare skin. Slaps will be initiated with the interrogator’s upper arm
parallel to his/her body, extending the striking hand in a swinging
motion to the target area. Detainees will be either facing or to the side
of the interrogator when the slap is administered.<br><br>
<dd>(2) Uninterrupted or consecutive slaps are prohibited. Blows to the
stomach with the palm of the hand fist, knees or elbows are
prohibited.<br><br>
</b>
<dd>D. STRIPPING<br><br>
<dd>(1) Stripping consists of forceful removal of detainees’ clothing. In
addition to degradation of the detainee, stripping can be used to
demonstrate the omnipotence of the captor or to debilitate the detainee.
Interrogator personnel tear clothing from detainees by firmly pulling
downward against buttoned buttons and seams. Tearing motions shall be
downward to prevent pulling the detainee off balance.<br><br>
<dd>4. PHYSICAL DEBILITATION TACTICS<br><br>
<dd>a. STRESS POSITIONS. Stress positions are used to punish detainees.
ALL STRESS POSITIONS ARE -RESTRICTED TO A MAXIMUM TIME OF TEN MINUTES AND
A LOGBOOK ENTRY IS REQURED. An interrogator/guard will remain with
detainees during use of stress positions. The authorized positions
are:<br><br>
<dd>(1) Head Rest/Index Finger position - Detainee is placed with
forehead or fingers against the wall, then the detainee’s legs are backed
out to the point that the detainee’s leaning weight is brought to bear on
fingers or head.<br><br>
<dd>(2) Kneeling position - Administered by placing detainee on knees and
having him lean backward on heels and hold hands extended to the sides or
front, palms upward. Light weights such as small rocks, may be placed in
the detainee’ s upturned palms. The detainee will not be placed in a
position facing the sun or floodlights.<br><br>
<dd>(3) Worship-the-Gods - The detainee is placed on knees with head and
torso arched back, with arms either folded across the chest or extended
to the side or front. The detainee will not be placed in a position
facing the sun or floodlights.<br><br>
<dd>(4) Sitting Position - the detainee is placed with his back against a
wall, tree or post; thighs are horizontal, lower legs are vertical with
feet flat on floor or ground as though sitting in a chair. Arms may be
extended to sides horizontally, palms up and boots on.<br><br>
<dd>(5) Standing position - While standing, the detainee is required to
extend arms either to the sides or front with palms up. Light weights
such as small rocks may be placed in upturned palms.<br><br>
<dd>5. ISOLATION AND MONOPOLIZATION OF PERCEPTION TACTICS<br><br>
<dd>a. HOODING<br><br>
<dd>(1) Hoods are lightweight fabric sacks large enough to fit loosely
over a detainee’s head and permit unrestricted breathing.<br><br>
<dd>(2) Flooding us used to isolate detainees. Individually hooded
detainees may be moved provided an interrogator/guard leads the detainee.
Detainees may not be left standing alone with the hood on. They must be
placed either on their stomachs, kneeling, or sitting. Detainee medical
limitations must be considered.<br><br>
<dd>6. DEMONSTRATED OMNIPOTENCE TACTICS<br><br>
<dd>a. MANHANDLING. Manhandling consists of pulling or pushing a
detainee. It is used as an irritant and to direct the detainee to
specific locations. Detainees must be handcuffed and must grasp their
trousers near mid-thigh with both hands. The interrogator firmly grasps
detainee’s clothing and then moves the detainee at a walking pace. The
interrogator must maintain positive control of the detainee The detainee
is not released until the interrogator is positive the detainee has
regained balance.<br><br>
<dd>b. WALLING. ***** Walling consists of placing a detainee forcibly
against a specially constructed wall. Walling will only be performed in
designated areas where specially constructed walls have been built.
Walling is used to physically intimidate a detainee. The interrogator
must ensure the wall is smooth, firm, and free of any projections. If
conducted outside, footing area must be solid and free of objects that
could cause detainee or interrogator to lose their balance. A detainee
can be taken to tfio wall a maximum of three,times per.shift. Walling is
done by firmly grasping the front of the detainee’s clothing high on each
side of the collar„ ensuring the top of the clothing is open. Care should
be taken to ensure detainees with long hair do not get their hair tangled
into the folds of clothes being grasped by the interrogator. To avoid
bruising the detainee, roll hands under folds of clothing material and
ensure only the backs of the hands contact detainee’s chest. Maintain
this grip throughout, never allowing the detainee to be propelled
uncontrollably. Ensure only the broad part of the shoulders contact the
surface of the wall. Grip the detainee’s clothing firmly enough so the
collar acts as a restrictive constraint to preclude the detainee’s head
from contacting the wall does this. If the detainee’s head inadvertently
touches the wall, walling will be ceased immediately</b>. <br><br>
<dd>Walling is to be used by those interrogators designated in writing by
the ICE CHIEF.<br><br>
</dl><a href="mailto:ssoldz@bgsp.edu">Stephen Soldz</a> is a
psychoanalyst, psychologist, public health researcher, and faculty member
at the <a href="http://www.bgsp.edu/">Boston Graduate School of
Psychoanalysis</a>. He maintains the
<a href="http://psychoanalystsopposewar.org/ORR.htm">Psychoanalysts for
Peace and Justice</a> web site and the
<a href="http://psychoanalystsopposewar.org/blog/">Psyche, Science, and
Society</a> blog. He is a founder of the Coalition for an Ethical
Psychology, one of the organizations leading the struggle to change
American Psychological Association policy on participation in abusive
interrogations.<br><br>
<br><br>
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