Afghanistan committee  In terms of prisoner handling, again there are certainly the other witnesses who are going to be called to go into great detail, but from a legal perspective it's a significant part of their training. Training before deployment includes prisoner handling. It includes the issue of

Afghanistan committee  There are certainly other witnesses, available or not, who would be able to pass that on to you, subject to other issues that might arise with respect to national security or international relations, about which there's been much discussion today. But as to the information that I

Afghanistan committee  I have that independence, which anyone superintending a justice system would have. It has to do with making decisions with respect to the operation and the justice system.

Afghanistan committee  Right.

Afghanistan committee  In respect of the administration and operation of my office, my carrying out of those duties and responsibilities is subject to solicitor and client privilege. I train lawyers going to Afghanistan and other parts of the world. I administer an office. But the communications and in

Afghanistan committee  Yes.

Afghanistan committee  A number of things will have happened during that term, one of which was litigation involving the Amnesty case. Indeed, the arrangement was presented before one of the hearings, which, as I recall, was in May 2007.

Afghanistan committee  Mr. Rae, I can't hypothesize. There will be other witnesses who I understand would likely be brought before you who are in a better position to discuss that issue.

Afghanistan committee  What I can tell you is that the information I received on this file was in my capacity as a lawyer.

Afghanistan committee  It's because that is in fact part of the litigation and that was part of the decision of the court that came out in March 2008.

Afghanistan committee  Again, Mr. Rae, the information I would have is a result of me being a lawyer. Your question is very general, and even in that statement the question would be whether there are other witnesses who would be better positioned to answer that.

Afghanistan committee  The next thing I was going to say was, in terms of providing legal advice with respect, generally, to matters, amongst that advice might be advice to the chain of command, or otherwise, to consider a police investigation, at which time it could be referred to the Provost Marshal.

Afghanistan committee  I think there is a distinction with respect to.... For instance, if you were fulfilling the function of a director of public prosecutions, it's one thing to say the director of public prosecutions has made a decision, and make that public, but it would be another thing for the di

Afghanistan committee  Mr. Harris, it's good to see you as well after all this time. I just want to clarify. You opened up in terms of the question of the importance of the prisoner of war status. As I mentioned in my opening remarks, it's clear that torture is prohibited across the board, whether it'

Afghanistan committee  I am sorry, Mr. Harris, you did interrupt me, so if I could continue on....