Holder: American Citizenship Does Not Preclude Being Killed By Drones

The Truth Behind The News

Susanne Posel
Occupy Corporatism
May 22, 2013

The Department of Justice has admitted to Senator Patrick Leahy in a letter that the US government has killed 4 Americans with the use of military force, i.e. drones.

Amnesty International, a non-governmental organization (NGO), said that with the US drone policy kept in the shadows, it is clear that “extrajudicial executions” are in violation with international law.

Salil Shetty, secretary general of Amnesty International explained: “Our view is that the legal basis is quite unclear. We have issues with how the United States defines the `theater of war,’ which is a very broad definition which allows them a free reign to use drones and other weapons under a very wide set of circumstances. Our researchers, when talking to people in Pakistan, find that the people are living in constant fear in very remote areas. You really cannot figure out, at the end of the day, who has been injured or killed in a drone attack.”

President Obama is expected to confirm at the National Defence University (NDU) that targeted killing of Americans with drones is “necessary, legal and just”, according to an anonymous White House official.

Obama will sign a presidential policy guidance which will outline standards by which the Obama administration will use drone strikes in the US to kill Americans.

The threat of domestic terrorism enacted by fellow Americans is foremost on the mind of the Obama administration.

The speech by Obama will focus on national security priorities such as homegrown terrorism, enemy combatants in a careful strategy that pays greater attention to counterterrorism.

Jay Carney, press secretary for the Obama administration said : “[Obama] thinks (this) is an absolutely valid and legitimate and important area of discussion and debate and conversation, and that it is his belief that there need to be structures in place that remain in place for successive administrations. So that in the carrying out of counterterrorism policy, procedures are followed that allow it to be conducted in a way that ensures that we’re keeping with our traditions and our laws.”

Attorney General Eric Holder pointed out: “Based on generations-old legal principles and Supreme Court decisions handed down during World War II, as well as during the current conflict, it is clear and logical that United States citizenship alone does not make such individuals immune from being targeted.”

Concerning the 4 Americans killed by the Obama administration, Holder said: “Since entering office, the president has made clear his commitment to providing Congress and the American people with as much information as possible about our sensitive counterterrorism operations. To this end, the president has directed me to disclose certain information that until now has been properly classified. The administration is determined to continue these extensive outreach efforts to communicate with the American people.”

Americans Killed in Counterterrorism Operations

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