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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Mukasey nomination goes forward | Mukasey nomination goes forward |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A US Senate committee has approved Michael Mukasey as attorney general despite his refusal to denounce simulated drowning as unlawful torture. | A US Senate committee has approved Michael Mukasey as attorney general despite his refusal to denounce simulated drowning as unlawful torture. |
| The panel sent President George W Bush's nomination of the retired judge to the full Senate, where it is expected to be confirmed next week. | The panel sent President George W Bush's nomination of the retired judge to the full Senate, where it is expected to be confirmed next week. |
| Mr Bush's selection of Mr Mukasey to replace former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales initially drew broad support. | Mr Bush's selection of Mr Mukasey to replace former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales initially drew broad support. |
| But Mr Mukasey stirred controversy over remarks on so-called water-boarding. | But Mr Mukasey stirred controversy over remarks on so-called water-boarding. |
| The US has not said whether it uses the controversial interrogation technique. | |
| 'Repugnant' | |
| The Judiciary Committee voted to advance Mr Mukasey's nomination by 11 votes against eight. | |
| The 66-year-old has presided over a number of high-profile terror trials and is seen as an independent-minded conservative. | |
| But he provoked criticism from Democrats during his confirmation hearing by saying he was not familiar with water-boarding and could not say if it was torture. | |
| He later sought to allay concerns with a letter calling water-boarding "repugnant". | |
| The technique simulates drowning by immobilising a prisoner with his head lower than his feet and pouring water over his face. |