Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Diplomatic amorality

Canada's ambassador to Syria at the Arar inquiry:
Pillarella was asked repeatedly about the first meeting Canadian officials had with Arar at a Syrian jail in October of 2002.

At that time, Arar told a consular official that he had been in custody in secret for two weeks.

But Pillarella chose to believe a Syrian official who assured him Arar had been there for only 24 hours...

"I believe facts," Pillarella replied.

"When [the consular official] met with Mr. Arar, there was no evidence, no evidence that Mr. Arar had been physically tortured.

"Because I can tell you one thing: If that evidence had been there, that evidence would have been reported to Ottawa."

A truly compelling argument. Since, of course, most states in the midst of acts of torture are particularly eager to share this fact with foreign diplomats and the public at large. (Them aside.)

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