Site Map

THE TORTURE PAPERS:  THE ROAD TO ABU GHRAIB

from Ricardo S. Sanchez, Lieutenant General, USA, Commanding

HEADQUARTERS
COMBINED JOINT TASK FORCE SEVEN
BAGHDAD, IRAQ
APO AE 09083

CJTF7-CG

19 January 2004

MEMORANDUM FOR Commander, United States Central Command

SUBJECT: Request for Investigating Officer

1. I request that you appoint an investigating officer, in the grade of Major General or above, to investigate the conduct of operations within the 800th Military Police Brigade.  The Brigade is a theater asset, assigned to CFLCC, but TACON to CJTF-7.

2.  Specifically, I request an investigation of the detention and internment operations conducted by the brigade from 1 November 2003 to the present.  Recent reports of detainee abuse, escapes, and accountability lapses indicate systemic problems within the brigade and suggest a lack of clear standards, proficiency, and leadership.  Several investigations, including a USACIDC investigation, into various aspects of the Brigade's operations are on-going.  The purpose of this request is to gain a more comprehensive and all-encompassing inquiry, conducted by a senior leader from outside of CJTF-7, to make findings and recommendations concerning the fitness and performance of the 800th MP Brigade.

3.  The CJTF-7 point of contact for this request is COL Marc Warren, DSN 318-836-1122.

RICARDO S. SANCHEZ
Lieutenant General, USA
Commanding

CF
LTG McKiernan

Go to Next Page