Jonathan Ames Reads from FBI E-mails, Guantánamo Bay
Jonathan Ames, author and winner of a Guggenheim Fellowship, reads from a selection of e-mails written by FBI personnel describing life at Guantánamo Bay, as part of the 2009 PEN event Reckoning with Torture: Memos and Testimonies from the “War on Terror”. Read the e-mails below.
Listen to audio of the reading
E-mails from FBI Personnel Reporting on the Situation at Guantánamo
June 20, 2003
Subject: Survived the first week
Hello! Well, I’ve survived my first week at GTMO. We’ve observed and provided observations and suggestions on 7 (or was it 8?) interviews in 6 days. Two yesterday and two the day before anyhow.… Many of the interviewers have approached us for help and in other cases we’ve asked if we could sit in to see new detainees, etc., and no one has said no yet. Seem to have been well received by most interviewers. Interesting differences between the interviewees, as well as interview styles. And definitely areas where I feel we’ve contributed. We’re still hearing about folks doing weird things like subjecting interviewees to strobe lights, etc., but have not seen anything of concern to date. Overheard a very loud (non-Bureau) interview down the hall yesterday, but chose not to observe it.
On the personal front—have seen two movies at the outdoor theater (Matrix Reloaded and Bruce Almighty—definitely a must see [censored], there’s even a monkey scene in it for you!) There was a bonfire beach party last Fri. and a pool party on Sat. nite. We have an offer to go sailing this Sunday—not sure if going yet.…
Friday July 30, 2004
Subject: GTMO
[censored],
Following a detainee interview exact date unknown, while leaving the interview building at Camp Delta at approximately 8:30 p.m. or later, I heard and observed in the hallway loud music and flashes of light. I walked from the hallway into the open door of a monitoring room to see what was going on. From the monitoring room, I looked inside the adjacent interview room. At that time I saw another detainee sitting on the floor of the interview room with an Israeli flag draped around him, loud music being played and a strobe light flashing. I left the monitoring room immediately after seeing this activity. I did not see any other persons inside the interview room with the Israeli flag-draped detainee, but suspect that this was a practice used by the DOD DHS since the only other persons inside the hallway near this particular interview room were dressed in green military fatigues.
I understood prior to deployment to GTMO, that such techniques were not allowed, nor approved by FBI policy.…
Monday, May 10, 2004
Subject: Instructions to GTMO Interrogators
TJ,
We did advise each supervisor that went to GTMO to stay in line with Bureau policy and not deviate from that [censored]. We had also met with Generals Dunlevey & Miller explaining our position (Law Enforcement techniques) vs. DoD. Both agreed the Bureau has their way of doing business and DoD has their marching orders from the Sec Def. In my weekly meetings with DOJ we often discussed [censored] techniques and how they were not effective or producing Intel that was reliable….
One specific example was [censored]. Once the Bureau provided DoD with the findings [censored] they wanted to pursue expeditiously their methods to get “more out of him.” [censored] We were given a so called deadline to use our traditional methods. Once our timeline [censored] was up [censored] took the reigns. We stepped out of the picture and [censored] ran the operation [censored] FBI did not participate at the direction of myself, [censored] and BAU UC [censored]
Bottom line is FBI personnel have not been involved in any methods of interrogations that deviate from our policy. The specific guidance we have given has always been no Miranda, otherwise, follow FBI/DOJ policy just as you would in your field office. Use common sense. Utilize our methods that are proven.…
Saturday, October 26, 2002
Subject: GTMO Update
Hello all,
[censored] is gone and I am here.
[censored] you made quite an impression and have left big shoes to fill.
First impressions:
It is hot here.
I brought too much luggage.
The learning curve is vertical.
The more you read about Islam and our friends here the better off you will be once you get here.
Many different agendas here and you will have to use all of your behavioral skills to pull it all together and keep your finger on the pulse … no one will lead you by the hand.
Did I mention that it is hot here?
Later …
Monday, July 12, 2004
Subject: GTMO
Mr. [censored]
I am responding to your request for feedback on aggressive treatment and improper interview techniques used on detainees at GTMO. I did observe treatment that was not only aggressive, but personally very upsetting, although I can’t say that this treatment was perpetrated by Bureau employees. It seemed that these techniques were being employed by the military, government contract employees, and [censored].
Friday, December 5, 2003
Subject: Impersonating FBI at GTMO
I am forwarding this EC up the CTD chain of command. MLDU requested this information be documented to protect the FBI. MLDU has had a long standing and documented position against the use of some of DOD’s interrogation practices, however, we were not aware of these latest techniques until recently.
Of concern, DOD interrogators impersonating Supervisory Special Agents of the FBI told a detainee that [censored]. These same interrogation teams then [censored]. The detainee was also told by this interrogation team [censored].
These tactics have produced no intelligence of a threat neutralization nature to date and CITF believes that techniques have destroyed any chance of prosecuting this detainee.
If this detainee is released or his story made public in any way, DOD interrogators will not be held accountable because these torture techniques were done by the “FBI” interrogators. The FBI will be left holding the bag before the public.
Listen to audio of the reading
