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Senate's new detainee rules could be weakened by House
Associated Press
Published October 8, 2005
WASHINGTON - Leading House Republicans signaled Friday that they will try to weaken a Senate effort to limit interrogation techniques that U.S. service members can use on terror suspects.
Their remarks made clear that the language in the Senate-passed military spending bill faces uncertain prospects in bargaining between the Senate and House. The Senate approved the $445-billion bill 97-0 on Friday.
The detainee provision, which has drawn a veto threat from the Bush administration, was sponsored by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. It was omitted from the bill passed by the House.
The final bill will provide $50-billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and U.S. military efforts against terrorism.
Senators decided that U.S. troops needed clear standards for dealing with terrorism suspects after allegations of mistreatment at the Guantanamo Bay detainee camp in Cuba and the abuse scandal at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.
McCain's provision prohibits cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment of anyone in U.S. government custody, regardless of where he is held. It also requires service members follow procedures in the Army Field Manual during interrogations of prisoners under the Pentagon's control.
Sen. John Warner, R-Va., said the provision was needed "to make absolutely clear the policy of the United States."
[Last modified October 8, 2005, 01:27:10]
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