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US law chief begins Iraqi visit US law chief holds Baghdad talks
(about 13 hours later)
US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, a key architect of US policy on the treatment of prisoners and the rule of law in Iraq, has arrived in Baghdad. US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has discussed legal and security issues with Iraq's deputy PM in Baghdad.
Mr Gonzales, a former senior legal adviser to Mr Bush, is to meet Deputy PM Barham Saleh and visit the Iraqi High Tribunal to meet officials there. Mr Gonzales, who has played a leading role in drawing up US policy on the treatment of prisoners, discussed the question of torture with Barham Saleh.
The tribunal is trying ex-leader Saddam Hussein and six others on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. On the question of how Iraqi forces should treat suspected insurgents, Mr Gonzales said "it is difficult to decide what is appropriate".
Mr Gonzales will also meet US justice department officials working in Iraq. Mr Gonzales also stressed the importance of the rule of law in Iraq.
He had a crucial role in drawing up guidelines on the treatment of detainees captured during the "war on terror" - defending a robust policy for the interrogation of terrorist suspects. The attorney general said the US was against any kind of torture:
"This president has been very clear. This government has not engaged in torture."
But he also said it was "a difficult decision as to where to draw the line" on how Iraqi police should treat captives in their struggle to stem the violence in Iraq.
"This decision will be made by the Iraqi government," he said.
He also met officials at the Iraqi High Tribunal, which is trying ex-leader Saddam Hussein and six others on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Mr Gonzales had a crucial role in drawing up guidelines on the treatment of detainees captured during the "war on terror" - defending a robust policy for the interrogation of terrorist suspects.
As such, critics blamed him for giving the green light for violent treatment, which they say led to the abuse scandal at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.As such, critics blamed him for giving the green light for violent treatment, which they say led to the abuse scandal at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.