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CIA boss faces tape interrogation CIA boss faces tape interrogation
(30 minutes later)
The head of the CIA is due to testify to two key congressional intelligence committees, after it emerged tapes of two interrogations had been destroyed.The head of the CIA is due to testify to two key congressional intelligence committees, after it emerged tapes of two interrogations had been destroyed.
General Michael Hayden will face questioning amid ongoing concern at why the tapes were wiped in 2005. Some have suggested a possible torture cover-up. Gen Michael Hayden will face questioning amid ongoing concern over why the tapes were wiped in 2005. Some suggest a possible torture cover-up.
The CIA and the US justice department are investigating the tape destruction.The CIA and the US justice department are investigating the tape destruction.
Meanwhile, an ex-CIA agent defended the use of "water-boarding", a technique that critics say amounts to torture. Meanwhile, an ex-CIA agent has defended the use of "water-boarding", which critics say amounts to torture.
Speaking to ABC News, John Kiriakou said the technique, which simulates drowning, helped "break" a key al-Qaeda suspect.Speaking to ABC News, John Kiriakou said the technique, which simulates drowning, helped "break" a key al-Qaeda suspect.
The suspect, Abu Zubaydah, was said to be one of the men questioned in the deleted footage.The suspect, Abu Zubaydah, was said to be one of the men questioned in the deleted footage.
A Palestinian, he was captured in Pakistan in 2002 and sent to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.A Palestinian, he was captured in Pakistan in 2002 and sent to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
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.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.
"From that day on, he answered every question," the retired agent said."From that day on, he answered every question," the retired agent said.
Cover-up?Cover-up?
The interrogation tapes were both made and destroyed before Gen Hayden was appointed director of the CIA in 2006.The interrogation tapes were both made and destroyed before Gen Hayden was appointed director of the CIA in 2006.
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 Water-boarding scrutinisedCIA boss faces credibility testSend us your comments But the director has come under pressure to explain the agency's decision to destroy the tapes.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 Water-boarding scrutinisedCIA boss faces credibility testSend us your comments But the director has come under pressure to explain the agency's decision to destroy the tapes.
Correspondents say there are suspicions that the decision was made to conceal evidence that terror suspects were being tortured in order to extract vital intelligence.Correspondents say there are suspicions that the decision was made to conceal evidence that terror suspects were being tortured in order to extract vital intelligence.
Gen Hayden has defended the decision, saying it was "done in line with the law".Gen Hayden has defended the decision, saying it was "done in line with the law".
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.
StruggleStruggle
Speaking on Monday, Mr Kiriakou told ABC News he had wrestled with the moral implications of using so-called "enhanced techniques" on prisoners.Speaking on Monday, Mr Kiriakou told ABC News he had wrestled with the moral implications of using so-called "enhanced techniques" on prisoners.
John Kiriakou said he had changed his views in the years since 9/11"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," he said.John Kiriakou said he had changed his views in the years since 9/11"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," he said.
"And I struggle with it.""And I struggle with it."
But on Tuesday he shifted responsibility from the CIA to the White House, saying the decision to use certain interrogation techniques did not rest with people like him.But on Tuesday he shifted responsibility from the CIA to the White House, saying the decision to use certain interrogation techniques did not rest with people like him.
"This was a policy made at the White House, with concurrence from the National Security Council and justice department," he told NBC TV."This was a policy made at the White House, with concurrence from the National Security Council and justice department," he told NBC TV.
Human rights groups say that water-boarding - and other techniques allegedly used by the CIA - can be defined as torture under various international treaties to which the US is a signatory.Human rights groups say that water-boarding - and other techniques allegedly used by the CIA - can be defined as torture under various international treaties to which the US is a signatory.
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.