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CIA memo prosecutions 'possible' CIA memo prosecutions 'possible'
(about 1 hour later)
US President Barack Obama has left open the possibility of prosecuting officials who wrote CIA memos allowing harsh interrogation methods. US President Barack Obama has left open the possibility of prosecuting officials who wrote CIA memos allowing harsh interrogation techniques.
It would be up to the attorney general whether to prosecute, Mr Obama said.It would be up to the attorney general whether to prosecute, Mr Obama said.
The memos detailed the range of techniques the CIA could use for questioning terror suspects. The memos detailed a range of methods the CIA could use on terrorism suspects under the Bush administration.
Mr Obama had said he would not use anti-torture laws to prosecute CIA personnel who relied in good faith on legal opinions issued after 9/11.Mr Obama had said he would not use anti-torture laws to prosecute CIA personnel who relied in good faith on legal opinions issued after 9/11.
The BBC's James Coomarasamy in Washington says the president's comments marked a change of tone amid growing pressure from the Democratic Party not to rule out potential prosecutions.The BBC's James Coomarasamy in Washington says the president's comments marked a change of tone amid growing pressure from the Democratic Party not to rule out potential prosecutions.
They reflect the increasingly complex political situation around the decision to release the memos, he says.
"With respect to those who formulated those legal decisions, I would say that that is going to be more of a decision for the attorney general within the parameters of various laws," Mr Obama said."With respect to those who formulated those legal decisions, I would say that that is going to be more of a decision for the attorney general within the parameters of various laws," Mr Obama said.
He also said he could support a congressional investigation of the issue if it was conducted in a bipartisan way.He also said he could support a congressional investigation of the issue if it was conducted in a bipartisan way.
'Very complicated'
White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel had previously said in a television interview that the administration did not want to pursue those who "devised policy".
As a general view, I do think we should be looking forward, not back President Barack Obama Cheney enters 'torture' memos row Q&A: Waterboarding
The memos revealed that two al-Qaeda suspects were subjected to waterboarding - a technique which simulates drowning - 266 times.The memos revealed that two al-Qaeda suspects were subjected to waterboarding - a technique which simulates drowning - 266 times.
Other methods mentioned in the memos include week-long sleep deprivation, forced nudity and the use of painful positions.
Former Vice-President Dick Cheney has said the techniques produced results.Former Vice-President Dick Cheney has said the techniques produced results.
He called for the release of additional documents that he said would show what the techniques yielded. He has called for the release of additional documents that he said would show what the techniques yielded.
On Thursday, when the memos were released, Mr Obama said CIA personnel working from Bush administration legal opinions would not be prosecuted.
His comments drew criticism from human rights organisations and UN officials, who say charges are necessary to prevent future abuses and in order to hold people accountable.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Mr Obama said the episode involved a "host of very complicated issues".
An investigation would be acceptable, he said, "outside of the typical hearing process" and with "independent participants who are above reproach".
He added: "As a general view, I do think we should be looking forward, not back.
"I do worry about this getting so politicised that we cannot function effectively and it hampers our ability to carry out critical national security operations."