U.S. Claims Arar Suit A Risk To National Security

[No Exit]

Jan. 22, 2005. 08:29 AM

Source: THE TORONTO STAR
www.thestar.com

U.S. CLAIMS ARAR SUIT A RISK TO NATIONAL SECURITY


MICHELLE SHEPHARD
STAFF REPORTER

The United States government is attempting to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Syrian-Canadian Maher Arar, claiming the litigation would jeopardize national security.

Invoking the rarely used "state secrets privilege," U.S. Department of Justice lawyers filed a motion with the New York eastern district court this week, stating that the release of any information concerning the U.S.'s involvement in Arar's deportation to Syria could jeopardize "intelligence, foreign policy and national security interests of the United States."

Lawyers with New York's Centre for Constitutional Rights, who filed the lawsuit on Arar's behalf a year ago, said the government is abusing claims of national security in order to avoid a review of its policies and handling of terrorism suspects.

"They're asking the court to sanction their cover-up basically," lawyer Maria LaHood said yesterday.

(snip)

[No Exit]

1. Does this sound familiar?

Seems to me I remember the Justice Department and the FBI also muzzled Sibel Edmonds b/c her information and claims were "a risk to national security".

U.S. Government says, "Risk to national security"... translation: "We've got to cover our own sweet asses, and that of the administration..."

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

2. Or:

"We big fat old farts in power ARE the nation. Therefore, our security is National Security."