Obama approves High Value Detainee Interrogation Group (HIG)

by albertacowpoke | August 24, 2009 at 03:18 am

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President Obama has made another move to distance himself from Bush policies on interrogation. He has approved the creation of an elite team of interrogators to question key terrorism suspects

This elite team of interrogators would be overseen by the National Security Council, removing this task from the CIA. Effectively this gives the White House oversight. HIG will be made up of several intelligence and law enforcement agencies. It will be housed with the FBI, but overseen by the National Security Council.

President Obama has approved the creation of an elite team of interrogators to question key terrorism suspects, part of a broader effort to revamp U.S. policy on detention and interrogation, senior administration officials said Sunday.

Obama signed off late last week on the unit, named the High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group, or HIG. Made up of experts from several intelligence and law enforcement agencies, the interrogation unit will be housed at the FBI but will be overseen by the National Security Council -- shifting the center of gravity away from the CIA and giving the White House direct oversight.

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Babel-Fish

at 04:48 on August 24th, 2009

Just shows lack of distrust in the CIA. But is the Whitehouse and FBI qualified in analyzing the intelligence gleaned.

Fist link the FBI, CIA and Military Intelligence together, then segregate the CIA from interrogation and give it to the FBI. hmmmmn sounds like loads of distrust in the Whitehouse. A leaky or a sneaky CIA?

albertacowpoke

at 05:45 on August 24th, 2009

Sneaky CIA is a contradiction of terms.

Babel-Fish

at 05:48 on August 24th, 2009

lol

master_jim2008

at 06:06 on August 24th, 2009

It is just another example of passing the buck. Bush said no one in his admin conducted torture, when in reality that was true. what he didn't say is that his mom's prison guard goon squad was the ones who did it. All former CIA spooks and mercs, but now private employees, not government employees.

Babel-Fish

at 06:35 on August 24th, 2009

You got that round the wrong way. It put the president in the driving seat and the buck stops at his chair? He now has the final say about how integration is done and has cut out the CIA of whom lie about how the interrogation is done.

Now he can lie himself if he wishes, lol

albertacowpoke

at 06:12 on August 24th, 2009

Blackwater is still being used today.

Eva Sofia (not verified)

at 06:34 on August 24th, 2009

I'd like to know what Mr. Obama is planning to do about the Bandar prison where there are many more prisoners than at Guantanamo and where, allegedly, torture is still widely used today. Everytime a reporter tries to get an answer regarding Bandar, the President seems quite uncomfortable. One wonders why.

Babel-Fish

at 07:09 on August 24th, 2009

I'd like to know what Mr. Obama is planning to do about the Bandar prison where there are many more prisoners than at Guantanamo and where, allegedly, torture is still widely used today. Everytime a reporter tries to get an answer regarding Bandar, the President seems quite uncomfortable. One wonders why.

Possibly because he could not work out where Bandar prison was, its very difficult to work out who controls, who what and where the CIA have set up action (just kidding).

The sensible answer is: He can not do nothing to release the prisoners with out going to war with Iran. I would be uncomfortable about that if I was him as War's cost money and there is not enough oil there to make it viable.

albertacowpoke

at 07:15 on August 24th, 2009

Besides he has more than a handful in Afghanistan. Apparently McChrystal will ask for 20,000 additional troops next week. The Chief of the Joint Chiefs made the round on Sunday talk shows to prepare the people for that option.

albertacowpoke

at 06:43 on August 24th, 2009

Iranian Dissidents in Prison Are Forced To Resort To A Hunger Strike. Is Bandar prison one of those?

Babel-Fish

at 06:58 on August 24th, 2009

It certainly not a US run prison, really confusing and I can only find one with that name in Malaysia. Got to be a red herring as it makes little sense, lol

Oh over than its run by the CIA and not by the Malaysian government, of course its to do with conspiracy etc. Oh dear forgot what we where debating about, lol

Babel-Fish

at 06:52 on August 24th, 2009

Where is Banda prison? Malaysia!

Is it US sovereign property? Nope!

albertacowpoke

at 06:57 on August 24th, 2009

Iran has a Banda prison too. I'm confused by that comment as well.

Babel-Fish

at 07:00 on August 24th, 2009

lol are the CIA running it? sorry could not resist...

albertacowpoke

at 07:03 on August 24th, 2009

Doubtful lol

marianmo

at 08:14 on August 24th, 2009

good post interesting comments

politisite

at 13:08 on August 24th, 2009

Another example of consolidating control. I wonder where those who argued Bush was power hungry are now as Pres. Obama has 34 Czars and trying to consolidate power to the executive branch. Election after election I see the party in power blame the previous administration, then go about doing the same things.

jazzyzazzy

at 17:19 on August 24th, 2009

Bang on Polisisite.

Barry Artiste

at 21:44 on August 24th, 2009

What? is this new interrogation team going to supply tea, biscuits, and group hugs? I think Al is right, it will be pretty much Same SH*T, Different Diaper!