-Caveat Lector- US Said To Export Torture Weapons By Pauline Jelinek Associated Press Writer Monday, Feb. 26, 2001; 10:00 a.m. EST WASHINGTON –– Dozens of U.S. companies sell weapons and other equipment used overseas for torture, Amnesty International said Monday, calling for a ban on the sales. The items include high-tech electroshock weapons, leg irons and serrated thumb cuffs designed to tear flesh if a detainee tries to get free, said a report by the U.S. chapter of the London-based human rights group. "No U.S. company should profit from torture," said William F. Schulz, head of the chapter. "The global manufacture, marketing and export of the equipment for torture is a moneymaking business that turns a blind eye to the suffering it causes," said the report, "Stopping the Torture Trade." Although it is illegal to own some of the equipment in the United States, Amnesty International said the Commerce Department has granted export licenses for sales valued at $97 million since 1997 under the category of "crime control equipment." It said some 80 American companies were involved in the manufacture, marketing and export of the items. An analysis of Commerce data shows Saudi Arabia, Russia, Taiwan, Israel and Egypt as the major recipients of the U.S. equipment, Amnesty said. The report said the group has documented that torturers in those countries use such technology. The equipment could also be used for legitimate law enforcement reasons, including to restrain or subdue detainees. But Amnesty spokesman Alistair Hodgett said the group still believes some of them – such as the flesh-tearing thumb cuffs and a belt that emits electric shocks – are "inherently cruel" and their export thus should be banned outright. Other devices have not been tested for their medical effects, and their export should be suspended, he said. Amnesty released the study as the State Department was issuing its annual report on human rights around the world. "It is unconscionable that while the U.S. State Department promotes human rights, the U.S. Department of Commerce has approved export licenses to countries that our own government documents as committing torture," Schulz said in a statement. Hodgett said there are relatively few manufacturers of the equipment, but they sell to an increasing number of suppliers and marketers. "Once they roll off the production line there's no followup to show where these things end up," he said in an interview. "Despite improved government regulation of exports, weapons are being sold and resold into the hands of torturers," Schulz said. "In the absence of stringent worldwide controls to prevent this ..., export should be immediately halted," the Amnesty International report said. The report is part of a yearlong campaign by the human rights group to document torture around the world. It also has launched an Internet program in which supporters can send messages quickly to officials where torture is taking place and demand an immediate end to the abuse. ––– On the Net: Amnesty International USA: www.amnestyusa.org <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om