severe interrogation techniques

from Mark Mazzetti
The New York Times
[excerpt]

President Bush “has no recollection of being made aware of the tapes or their destruction before yesterday,” the chief White House spokeswoman, Dana Perino, said today.

As to whether there would be investigation by the Justice Department, Ms. Perino said: “I know that the C.I.A. Director is gathering facts and our White House Counsel’s Office is supporting them in that. Whether or not there is going to be an investigation to that scale will have to be determined by others.”

She said President Bush has “complete confidence” in General Hayden.

The videotapes showed agency operatives in 2002 subjecting terrorism suspects— including Abu Zubaydah, the first detainee in C.I.A. custody— to severe interrogation techniques. The tapes were destroyed in part because officers were concerned that video showing harsh interrogation methods could expose agency officials to legal risks, several officials said.

Democrats Call for Inquiry in Destruction of Tapes by C.I.A.

photo source

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ALSO:

CIA Destroyed Videos Showing Interrogations
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Hayden Says CIA Videotapes Destroyed
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