Bush admits to secret CIA prisons

George Bush has acknowledged for the first time the existence of previously secret CIA prisons around the world where key al-Qaeda suspects have been held and questioned.

The US president said his country’s security depended on information obtained from prisoners held there - who include some of those responsible for the September 11 attacks.

“It has been necessary to move these individuals to an environment where they can be held in secret, questioned by experts and, when appropriate, prosecuted for terrorist acts,” he said in a speech from the White House.

The CIA prisons have been a source of friction between Washington and other countries, including some allies in Europe.

The administration has also previously come under criticism for its treatment of ‘terror’ detainees.

European Union lawmakers have accused the CIA of conducting clandestine flights in Europe to take terror suspects to countries where they could face torture.

New directive

The US military has issued a new directive saying it will treat all prisoners under the rules laid out by the Geneva conventions.

The directive requires that all detainees receive adequate food, water, shelter, clothing and medical treatment.

It protects them from both threats and acts of violence, including rape, assault and theft, as well as “public curiosity”.

However, the Pentagon retained the Bush administration’s distinction between traditional prisoners of war and “unlawful enemy combatants,” who are guaranteed fewer rights.

“This program has helped us to take potential mass murderers off the streets before they have a chance to kill,” Bush said. “It is invaluable to America and our allies.”

Prisoners moved

Bush also announced that 14 senior al-Qaeda leaders would be transferred from CIA detention centres to the US military prison camp at Guantanamo Bay.

The 14 prisoners include:

Khalid Sheik Mohammed, believed to be a senior al-Qaeda leader before he was captured in Pakistan in 2003 and is said to be responsible for the September 11 attacks.
Ramzi Binalshibh, an alleged would-be September 11 hijacker.
Abu Zubaydah, who was believed to be a link between Osama bin Laden and many al-Qaeda cells before he was also captured in Pakistan, in March 2002.

Agencies