ABC World News Tonight reported that there is a presidential finding, signed in 2002, by President Bush, Condoleezza Rice, and then Attorney General John Ashcroft approving water boarding and other interrogation techniques. After the fold I give highlights of the article.
While ABC has not proven that this presidental finding actually exists, it sounds like ABC has very reliable sources. Any thoughts on how we can determine whether it exists and bring about its release? I think its important for the American people to see it and know what other interrogation techniques are included.
As the article acknowledges, there is a question about whether water boarding is torture. (I personally have no question - it's torture.) I think the likely existence of this presidental finding highlights the need for a discussion among American people about what constitutes torture, what interrogation methods are supported by our values and laws, and what the president can do without knowledge of the American people.
Any other thoughts on the implications?
http://abcnews.go.com/...
Highlights of the article:
History of an Interrogation Technique: Water Boarding: New Debate Sparked on What Constitutes Torture
CIA Director Porter Goss maintained this week that the CIA does not employ methods of torture. In doing so, he opened a new debate over exactly what constitutes torture -- especially when it comes to the harshest of the CIA's six secret interrogation techniques, known as "water boarding."
--snip
On "Good Morning America" today, Goss told ABC News' Charles Gibson that the CIA does not inflict pain on prisoners.
Yet, in response to Gibson's inquiry if water boarding would come under the heading of torture, Goss simply replied, "I don't know."
--snip
This morning, Goss insisted that the CIA and its officers are not breaking U.S. law.
"We do debriefings because debriefings are the nature of our business -- to get information, and we do all that, and we do it in a way that does not involve torture because torture is counterproductive," Goss said.
The CIA maintains its interrogation techniques are in legal guidance with the Justice Department. And current and former CIA officers tell ABC News there is a presidential finding, signed in 2002, by President Bush, Condoleezza Rice, and then Attorney General John Ashcroft approving the techniques, including water boarding."