A step in the right direction

US 'shifts' position on torture

The US secretary of state says the UN treaty on torture applies to American interrogators in the US and overseas, in an apparent shift in US policy. The Bush administration has previously said the convention which bans cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment does not apply to US personnel abroad. Correspondents say a reason for the shift might be pressure from Congress.

Condoleezza Rice's European tour has been dogged by claims the CIA used foreign bases to hold terror suspects. The UN high commissioner for human rights has called on the US to provide information about any secret detention centres and to provide access to them. Louise Arbour said such detention centres could create conditions where torture might be used, but she welcomed Ms Rice's statement.

However...

She refused to address the claims of secret CIA prisons abroad where suspects could be interrogated without reference to international law.

3/10. Could do better. See me after the class Ms Rice.