Inside accounts of interrogation approval differ

[Pirate Smile]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON – Release of Bush-era documents that shed more light on the origins of the CIA's use of harsh interrogation tactics has ignited a backstage battle between former Bush officials over a crucial May 2002 meeting that paved the way for use of waterboarding on a suspected al-Qaida leader.

The fracas over who was responsible for authorizing use of the simulated drowning tactic and other harsh techniques on captured suspect Abu Zubayda is raising new questions about that 2002 decision and follow-up moves that allowed the CIA to use the now-banned techniques.

Some former Bush officials argue that they were not properly warned by CIA officials about the potential perils of the severe methods, while others insist there were explicit cautions.

A former senior Bush administration official familiar with the deliberations told The Associated Press that during a meeting of Bush senior officials in May 2002, then-CIA director George Tenet, backed by agency lawyers and CIA officers, reassured former NSC director Condoleezza Rice, then-Attorney General John Ashcroft and others that waterboarding and other harsh techniques were both safe and necessary.

The former official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the issue's continuing sensitivity, said Tenet and other CIA officials did not mention the techniques' potential legal and physical dangers.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090426/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_torture_memo

---

heh

[hwmnbn]

1. so the fingerpointing begins...

It wasn't me.

Man I want this to play out loud and clear. I want these asswipes to start freaking out and spilling their guts. Let's see who's the first to lawyer up.

[santamargarita]

2. Prosecute them all - why take any chances

:mad:

[Solly Mack]

3. This would be amusing if the topic wasn't so gravely serious

That said... I don't mind if they rip each other to pieces - and I mean that literally. If there was absolutely no one left standing (among the guilty) after the carnage, I'd be OK with that.

[Pirate Smile]

4. I do like the idea of them aiming at each other instead of at Obama.

[Old Codger]

5. You bet

I assume that this is part of Obama's plans.. first make it plain that he is not going after the little guys, this gives them room to come forward and talk without fear of prosecution, next get the mid-levels accusing each other... Keeps the rethugs off balance, they will be so busy attempting to cover their own asses they won't have time to worry too much about much else... keeps it interesting...LOL, thye are getting their asses handed to them and they are helping do it...

[tomm2thumbs]

6. I hope they are wiretapping all these conversations - to protect us from terrorism of course

would serve them right

[Blandocyte]

7. Just charge cheney

He was the puppetmaster pulling that moran W's strings with regard to torture.

[SkyDaddy7]

8. GOP Circular Firing Squad

...My guess is Dick Cheney will win this contest as he does have real experience shooting friends. We will see.

[daleo]

10. Cheney might have a tough time finding a lawyer to defend himself

Considering his track record of shooting lawyers.

[struggle4progress]

9. "It ain't me, babe. No no no! It ain't me, babe! It ain't me you're lookin for, babe"

Kinda got the feelin we'll be hearin that refrain a lot