Iraq torture authorization from the top?

A memo obtained by the ACLU, written in September 2003, calls into question the veracity of Gen Sanchez's sworn denial of authorization of controversial interrogation techniques. The word "perjury" has been mentioned in the media, as the memo signed by Gen Sanchez clearly contradicts his statements before the Senate Armed Services Committee on May 19, 2004. The ACLU wrote to Attorney General Gonzales recommending an independent inquiry into the perjury allegation.

From the Army Times:

"Lt. Gen. Sanchez's testimony, given under oath before the Senate Armed Services committee, is utterly inconsistent with the written record, and deserves serious investigation," said Anthony Romero, ACLU Executive Director.

The Washington Post first disclosed the existence of the memo, but the Pentagon initially withheld it from public release on national security grounds. The ACLU obtained a physical copy under an ongoing Freedom of Information Act lawsuit.

In the memo, dated Sept. 14, 2003, Sanchez laid out specific interrogation techniques, modeled on those used against detainees at Guantanamo Bay Naval Station, Cuba, for use by coalition forces in Iraq. These include sleep "management," the inducement of fear at two levels of severity, loud music and sensory agitation, and the use of canine units to "exploit Arab fear of dogs."