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CIA man defends 'water-boarding' CIA man defends 'water-boarding'
(about 13 hours later)
A retired CIA agent has said a top al-Qaeda suspect was interrogated using a simulated drowning technique but that he believes it was justified. A retired CIA agent has said a top al-Qaeda suspect was interrogated using a simulated drowning technique, but that he believes it was justified.
John Kiriakou told US broadcaster ABC that "water-boarding" was used when his CIA team questioned suspected al-Qaeda chief recruiter Abu Zubaydah.John Kiriakou told US broadcaster ABC that "water-boarding" was used when his CIA team questioned suspected al-Qaeda chief recruiter Abu Zubaydah.
He said it might be torture but that it "broke" the detainee in seconds.He said it might be torture but that it "broke" the detainee in seconds.
US authorities are investigating the CIA's destruction of tapes of al-Qaeda suspects being interrogated. US authorities are investigating the CIA's destruction of videotapes of al-Qaeda suspects being interrogated.
Mr Kiriakou told ABC the day after water-boarding was used on Abu Zubaydah, the detainee told his interrogator Allah had visited him in his cell during the night and told him to cooperate. Mr Kiriakou said the day after water-boarding was used on Abu Zubaydah, the detainee told his interrogator that Allah had visited him in his cell during the night and told him to co-operate.
'Principles compromised''Principles compromised'
"From that day on, he answered every question," the retired agent said."From that day on, he answered every question," the retired agent said.
'CIA ENHANCED INTERROGATION TECHNIQUES' Water boarding: prisoner bound to a board with feet raised, and cellophane wrapped round his head. Water is poured onto his face and is said to produce a fear of drowningCold cell: prisoner made to stand naked in a cold, though not freezing, cell and doused with waterStanding: Prisoners stand for 40 hours and more, shackled to the floorBelly slap: a hard slap to the stomach with an open hand. This is designed to be painful but not to cause injury Source: Described to ABC News by un-named CIA agents in 2005 CIA boss faces credibility test WATER-BOARDING Prisoner bound to a board with feet raised, and cellophane wrapped round head. Water is poured onto face and is said to produce a fear of drowning CIA boss faces credibility test class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7138144.stm">Water-boarding scrutinised
"The threat information he provided disrupted a number of attacks, maybe dozens of attacks.""The threat information he provided disrupted a number of attacks, maybe dozens of attacks."
But he added: But he added: "Like a lot of Americans, I'm involved in this internal, intellectual battle with myself weighing the idea that water-boarding may be torture versus the quality of information that we often get after using the water-boarding technique. And I struggle with it."
"Like a lot of Americans, I'm involved in this internal, intellectual battle with myself weighing the idea that water-boarding may be torture versus the quality of information that we often get after using the water-boarding technique. And I struggle with it."
He said he felt water-boarding's use had "compromised [American] principles in the short term" and was unsure the technique would be justified any longer.He said he felt water-boarding's use had "compromised [American] principles in the short term" and was unsure the technique would be justified any longer.
"At the time, I felt water-boarding was something we needed to do," he told ABC News. "At the time, I felt water-boarding was something we needed to do," he said.
"And as time has passed, and as September 11th has, you know, has moved farther and farther back into history, I think I've changed my mind.""And as time has passed, and as September 11th has, you know, has moved farther and farther back into history, I think I've changed my mind."
The interview is said by ABC News to be first public comment by any CIA officer involved in handling top al-Qaeda suspects.The interview is said by ABC News to be first public comment by any CIA officer involved in handling top al-Qaeda suspects.
Cover-up fears Cover-up claims
It comes as an official inquiry is launched into the CIA's destruction in 2005 of two videotapes showing interrogations of al-Qaeda suspects.It comes as an official inquiry is launched into the CIA's destruction in 2005 of two videotapes showing interrogations of al-Qaeda suspects.
The CIA is being investigated over the deletion of interrogation tapesThe CIA is being investigated over the deletion of interrogation tapes
One of the detainees in the deleted footage, filmed in 2002, is understood to be Abu Zubaydah, the man referred to by Mr Kiriakou.One of the detainees in the deleted footage, filmed in 2002, is understood to be Abu Zubaydah, the man referred to by Mr Kiriakou.
The Palestinian was captured in Pakistan in 2002 and sent to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.The Palestinian was captured in Pakistan in 2002 and sent to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The CIA says it destroyed the tapes to protect the identity of its agents.The CIA says it destroyed the tapes to protect the identity of its agents.
But Democrats have accused the agency of a cover-up to hide evidence of possible detainee torture.But Democrats have accused the agency of a cover-up to hide evidence of possible detainee torture.
The administration of US President George W Bush has always maintained it does not allow the use of torture.The administration of US President George W Bush has always maintained it does not allow the use of torture.