DDCI TALKING POINTS FOR MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06677268
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: December 27, 2021
• Case Number: F-2015-01541
• Publication Date: July 31, 2001

Approved for Release: 2021/12/27 C06677268
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31 July 2001
(U) DDCI Talking Points for
Meeting with the President
(SlifiF) Next Phase of the Abu Zubaydah Interrogation
1. .(ISh NF) PURPOSE: To advise the President that we are
confident of our legal position and need to move forward immediately with the
next phase of the Abu Zubaydah interrogation.
2. RS/ /NF) BACKGROUND: As you know, we need to
implement more aggressive techniques in our interrogation of Abu Zubaydah, in
order to obtain actionable intelligence about al-Qa'ida operatives in the United
States. Without that critical and time-sensitive intelligence, it is quite likely that
many more Americans will die -- perhaps very soon. The Attorney General has
advised us that the new techniques are permitted under U.S. law -- and in
particular, the U.S. statutes that implement this nation's commitments under the
international Convention Against Torture. You may wish to make the following
points: .
� We believe that Abu Zubaydah continues to withhold critical threat
information, including the identities of al-Qalida operatives in the United
States who may well be planning imminent attacks that will cause
mass casualties.
� In order to persuade him to provide those identities, the use of more
aggressive techniques is required. Some of these techniques
incorporate mild physical pressure, while others may place Abu
Zubaydah in fear for his life. All have been used for years in U.S.
military resistance training, with no demonstrable adverse effects upon
the trainees.
� Abu Zubaydah is an extraordinarily capable opponent, who instructed
al-Qalida operatives in interrogation resistance techniques, may well
have written a seminal al-Qalida manual on resistance, and has
consistently displayed extremely strong resistance skills.
� Accordingly, the use of these aggressive techniques is required. They
include an intense physical and psychological stressor used by the
U.S. Navy in its interrogation resistance training for the Navy SEALS.
The Department of Defense has reported that it produces student
capitulation and compliance 100 percent of the time.
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� It is neither Intended nor evicted that Abu Zubaydah suffer severe
physical or mental pain. Appropriately trained medical personnel will
be present throughout the process, and the Attorney General has
confirmed that the planned techniques, although aggressive, are
permitted under applicable U.S. law.
� Further delay in the implementation of these and related techniques is
not warranted by any legal or medical requirements. Indeed, such
delay only enhances the ability of al-Claida to continue its work, and
thereby directly increases the likelihood of a catastrophic attack
against the United States and its citizens.
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