National Defence committee  That's my understanding. It was an initiative from within the CF, having understood the comments, the advice, and the guidance provided by both the Somalia commission and Justice—

National Defence committee  Yes. I think we can probably lay some blame at Justice Lamer's feet. He made a recommendation—I believe it was number 56—

National Defence committee  In the code, in statute—

National Defence committee  I think it's somewhat short-sighted to read the recommendation and take it literally without reading the preceding paragraphs that justify it.

National Defence committee  I agree. It's part of my point. It's totally unlimited, and even when you transport it into the combat context, as I said to you, I don't think it's necessary. Police officers are not fools, whether it's combat circumstances or it's a situation in Canada where there's a burned-up

National Defence committee  I really don't understand the relevance of the question, but I would say to you that in fact, quite frankly, it was one of the low points in terms of the sadness of the events. None of us who lived through that, Mr. Alexander, were proud of it. We did what we had to do.

National Defence committee  It was important in the sense that the public demanded an accounting and we provided that accounting.

National Defence committee  Which Afghanistan investigation was it, the public interest one?

National Defence committee  Was it by hearing or by investigation?

National Defence committee  Okay. Yes, indeed, at the end of that investigation.... I did commence that investigation. It was thoroughly conducted. There was no finding of mistreatment of the three Afghan prisoners involved. In fact, I think it could be interpreted that I complimented some of the military

National Defence committee  In terms of public confidence, Mr. Alexander, I don't think a finding of no fault is necessarily the appropriate measure. As a matter of fact, I certainly don't think it's the appropriate measure. As you would see from my resume, I was the director of the Ontario Special Invest

National Defence committee  Could you repeat your question in a less convoluted fashion?

National Defence committee  I'm not sure it was a serious question on his part, but I'll try and treat it as a serious question.

National Defence committee  I think Mr. Alexander is talking about apples and oranges. The fact is that very publicly an allegation was raised that involved a number of military personnel, including several military police personnel, about the mistreatment of those prisoners. As I said several times durin

National Defence committee  If they don't, Mr. Alexander, they're not doing their job.