Group urges standard for interrogations

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- A single standard is needed for all U.S. interrogators, a bipartisan group of national security experts said in an advertisement that ran Monday.

The Partnership for a Secure America bought a full-page ad in a special edition of "Roll Call." The ad condemns "cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment" of detainees and supports application of the Army Field Manual's rules for interrogation to the entire U.S. government, the organization said in a news release.

"It is crucial that we reaffirm America's status as a champion of human rights and the rule of law," said former Rep. Lee Hamilton, D-Ind. PSA co-chair. "Doing so will enhance our ability to cooperate with our international partners on other aspects of counter-terrorism strategy."

Hamilton and former New Jersey Gov. Thomas Kean, who chaired the Sept. 11 Commission, signed the statement along with 16 other sixteen others -- former secretaries of state, national security advisers, senators and ambassadors.

The ad says Congress should require the U.S. government and those acting on its behalf to follow the Army Field Manual on Human Intelligence Collector Operations.

"Doing so will make us safer, while safeguarding our cherished values and our vital national interests," the ad read.