Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2001 20:54:25 -0500 (EST)
Message-Id: <200111190154.UAA12314@mattababy.mit.edu>
From: belmonte@mit.edu (Matthew Belmonte)
To: john_kerry@kerry.senate.gov
Subject: violations of due process in the name of national security

Dear Senator Kerry

This past week, President Bush issued an executive order that would allow
special military tribunals to try non-citizens who have been charged with
terrorism.  (Ironically, during the Clinton Administration this same procedure
of trial of non-citizens by military tribunal was the subject of a strong
diplomatic protest lodged by the US against Peru.)  This latest curtailment of
due process comes on the heels of a new regulation, issued just twelve days
earlier, that gives the government the power to monitor any conversation
between such a suspect and his or her attorney.  

As your constituent, I urge you to ask President Bush to rescind his executive
order allowing the use of military tribunals, and also the regulation permitting
eavesdropping on conversations between attorneys and their clients.  The Bush
Administration has failed to show how a trial by jury and a defence by counsel
would not suffice to deter and to punish people who commit acts of terrorism.

I further urge you and your colleagues to hold hearings mmediately to examine
the Administration's new policies and to protect the Bill of Rights from the
Bush Administration's overzealousness.  I look forward to hearing your thoughts
on these important matters.

Sincerely,
Matthew Belmonte