CSIS had no role in Arar's detention, says spy watchdog (Ashcroft Alert)

[Whoa_Nelly]

Ottawa — The watchdog that oversees the Canadian Security Intelligence Service has received personal assurances from the head of the spy agency that it had no role in the detention of Maher Arar by U.S. authorities or his deportation to Syria.

CSIS director Ward Elcock recently told the Security Intelligence Review Committee the service was not involved in the Ottawa man's arrest or removal to his country of birth on suspicion of terrorism, said a spokeswoman for the review committee.

<snip>
The case has attracted international attention, outraging civil libertarians who cite Mr. Arar's ordeal as emblematic of the Bush administration's disregard for due process in the war on terrorism.

U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft said last week he had received assurances from Syria that Mr. Arar wouldn't be tortured if he was sent to that country.

more...
http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20031123.warar1123/BNStory/National/

[pop goes the weasel]

1. I am so angry

"U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft said last week he had received assurances from Syria that Mr. Arar wouldn't be tortured if he was sent to that country."

He lies, and he knows he lies. The whole reason for sending a person who is a Canadian citizen to Syria is to torture him.

We have to resist and we have to be heard. The neo-cons want the right to deport anyone, resident alien, international traveler just changing airplanes on the way home, natural born citizen.... We are all at risk for deportation to Syria for torture, for no other reason than that Ashcroft and his ilk want to instill terror among us all.

[JohnyCanuck]

2. That's OK Ashcan can lie all he wants

cause the blood of Jeebus cleanses him from all his sins so he won't have to go to hell for 'em, like us miserable, unbelieving sinners.