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| The truth about the CIA's Black Sites |
In the
murky world of espionage and clandestine operations, there exists a shadowy
network of sites known only to a select few. These are the CIA black
sites—secret prisons scattered across the globe, shrouded in mystery and
controversy. After the harrowing events of September 11, 2001, the Central
Intelligence Agency (CIA) embarked on a covert mission, establishing these
enigmatic facilities for the interrogation and detention of individuals
suspected of involvement in terrorism.
The exact number and locations of these
black sites remain a closely guarded secret, hidden from public scrutiny and
shielded by layers of government secrecy. However, whispers in the corridors of
power suggest that there were at least a dozen of these covert facilities,
nestled in remote corners of countries like Thailand, Afghanistan, Poland,
Lithuania, and Romania, among others.
One such place that emerged from the
shadows of secrecy is the village of Antaviliai in Lithuania. Here, nestled
amidst the serene beauty of the countryside, lies a dark secret that few dare
to speak of—a former CIA black site, code-named Site Violet. The village, once
known for its tranquility, became a hub of clandestine activity in the
aftermath of 9/11.
The transformation of Antaviliai began
with the arrival of mysterious shipments—containers loaded with equipment for a
secluded property undergoing renovation on the edge of the forest. What was
once a horseback riding academy and a quaint café soon morphed into a fortress
of silence, guarded by a security fence that kept prying eyes at bay.
Locals like Juozas Banevicius watched with
curiosity and suspicion as muscular young men jogged through the trees at odd
hours, conversing in hushed tones of English. The once-open property now became
off-limits to the public, its secrets hidden behind layers of security and
silence.
Despite official denials and obfuscations,
the truth about Site Violet eventually came to light, thanks to intense media
scrutiny and judicial investigation. The European Court of Human Rights
delivered a damning verdict, ruling that a secret prison had indeed operated in
Lithuania, beyond reasonable doubt.
But the tale of Antaviliai is just one
chapter in the saga of CIA black sites. In neighboring Poland, another covert
facility, known as Site Blue, came under scrutiny after the Senate Intelligence
Committee's investigation into the CIA's use of ‘EIT’, enhanced interrogation
techniques. The revelation of Poland's complicity in hosting such a site sent
shockwaves through the international community, raising questions about
government accountability and human rights violations.
Amidst the controversy and condemnation,
there exists a glimmer of justification—a real-life instance where intelligence
from CIA black sites played a pivotal role in preventing terrorist attacks. The
case of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind behind 9/11, stands as a
testament to the efficacy of such covert operations.
Captured in 2003 and subjected to
interrogation at undisclosed black sites, KSM provided valuable intelligence
that thwarted numerous plots against the United States and its allies. His
revelations about Al-Qaeda's operational structure and planned attacks led to
the disruption of nefarious schemes, including a plot to attack the U.S. Bank
Tower in Los Angeles using hijacked airplanes.
Despite
the ethical quagmire and moral dilemmas surrounding the use of enhanced
interrogation techniques, proponents argue that the ends justify the means. In
the relentless pursuit of national security, sacrifices must be made, even if
they tread the murky waters of moral ambiguity.
Such moral ambiguity takes place in the spy
thriller 'Mission
of Vengeance', where CIA agent Corey Pearson finds himself in a
gut-wrenching scenario. Watching a Russian Spetsnaz soldier endure Enhanced
Interrogation Techniques (EIT) at the hands of a CIA team dubbed the 'Dirty
Tricks Division', Corey couldn't shake off the queasiness churning in his gut.
Sure, he understood the necessity of the torture—lives were on the line, after
all—but witnessing it firsthand left him feeling sick to his core. Sometimes,
the price of saving American lives came with a heavy burden on the conscience.
Similarly, in real life, in the tumultuous
aftermath of 9/11, even liberal progressives found themselves initially
supporting the establishment of black sites and the use of Enhanced
Interrogation Techniques (EIT). Among them were Dianne Feinstein, a U.S.
Senator from California; Jay Rockefeller, a former U.S. Senator from West
Virginia; Jane Harman, a former U.S. Representative from California; Bob
Graham, a former U.S. Senator from Florida; and Nancy Pelosi, a U.S.
Representative from California and former Speaker of the House. These
individuals' early stances highlight the complexity of the decisions made in
response to the unprecedented threat posed by the terrorist attacks.
As the debate rages on, and the secrets of
CIA black sites continue to unravel, one thing remains certain—the shadows of
secrecy cast long and deep, concealing truths that may never fully come to
light. In the clandestine world of espionage, where darkness reigns supreme,
only time will tell what other secrets lie buried beneath the surface.
Robert Morton, M.Ed., Ed.S. is a member of the Association Of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and writes the online Spy series "Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster." Check out his latest spy thriller, Mission of Vengeance.
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