Reply #20: Chertoff Denies Advising CIA on Torture

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Chertoff Denies Advising CIA on Torture


WASHINGTON -- Homeland Security Secretary-designate Michael Chertoff privately told congressional staffers Monday that he did not advise the CIA on the legality of using specific torture techniques on terror suspects when he headed the Justice Department's criminal division.

Meeting with Republican and Democratic staff members two days before his Senate confirmation hearings, Chertoff said any legal advice he gave the CIA was broad and generalized -- and merely from the viewpoint of "what a prosecutor would look for," one aide said.
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The Capitol Hill meeting, which lasted several hours, was described as cordial. Several aides who spoke on condition on anonymity said Chertoff grew slightly exasperated after repeated questioning over whether he had any role in approving techniques that critics said violated Geneva Conventions prohibiting violence, torture and humiliating treatment.
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Chertoff repeatedly told aides he gave only basic and generalized advice as "how a prosecutor would approach the statute."


http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-chertoff-hearing,0,1001949.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

Monday, January 31, 2005 · Last updated 11:05 p.m. PT

Chertoff denies advising CIA on torture

By LARA JAKES JORDAN
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

Federal appeals court judge Michael Chertoff speaks during the announcement by President Bush of Chertoff's nomination to be his new secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, Jan. 11, 2005. Chertoff is expected to win confirmation easily following his Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005, hearing, although Democrats said they plan to question him about his role in advising the CIA about torture standards. (AP Photo/Susan Ann Walsh/File)

WASHINGTON -- As he prepares for his upcoming confirmation hearing, Homeland Security Secretary designee Michael Chertoff has denied advising the CIA on using specific torture techniques on terror suspects when he headed the Justice Department's criminal division.

Chertoff is expected to win confirmation easily following his Wednesday hearing, although Democrats said they plan to question him about his role in advising the CIA about torture standards.

Meeting with Republican and Democratic staff members Monday, Chertoff said any legal advice he gave the CIA was broad and generalized - and merely from the viewpoint of "what a prosecutor would look for," one aide said.

The Capitol Hill meeting, which lasted several hours, was described as cordial. Several aides who spoke on condition on anonymity said Chertoff grew slightly exasperated after repeated questioning over whether he had any role in approving techniques that critics said violated Geneva Conventions prohibiting violence, torture and humiliating treatment.
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http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apwashington_story.asp?category=1152&slug=Chertoff%20Hearing