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Senate limits CIA interrogation | Senate limits CIA interrogation |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The US Senate has voted to bar the CIA from using harsh interrogation techniques such as simulated drowning, widely known as water-boarding. | The US Senate has voted to bar the CIA from using harsh interrogation techniques such as simulated drowning, widely known as water-boarding. |
The ban was contained in a broader intelligence bill that passed 51-45. | The ban was contained in a broader intelligence bill that passed 51-45. |
The Senate vote follows a similar move by the House of Representatives in December, despite a threat by President George W Bush to veto such legislation. | The Senate vote follows a similar move by the House of Representatives in December, despite a threat by President George W Bush to veto such legislation. |
A senior justice department official is set to testify later in the day that water-boarding is now not legal. | A senior justice department official is set to testify later in the day that water-boarding is now not legal. |
"The set of interrogation methods authorised for current use is narrower than before, and it does not today include water-boarding," says Steven Bradbury, the acting head of the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel. | "The set of interrogation methods authorised for current use is narrower than before, and it does not today include water-boarding," says Steven Bradbury, the acting head of the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel. |
His remarks, obtained by the Associated Press, were prepared for an appearance before the House Judiciary Constitution subcommittee later on Thursday. | His remarks, obtained by the Associated Press, were prepared for an appearance before the House Judiciary Constitution subcommittee later on Thursday. |
He goes on: "There has been no determination by the justice department that the use of water-boarding, under any circumstances, would be lawful under the current law." | He goes on: "There has been no determination by the justice department that the use of water-boarding, under any circumstances, would be lawful under the current law." |
Water-boarding, condemned as torture by rights groups and many governments, is an interrogation method that puts the detainee in fear of drowning. | Water-boarding, condemned as torture by rights groups and many governments, is an interrogation method that puts the detainee in fear of drowning. |
Army manual | Army manual |
In a vote that split largely along party lines, the Democratic-led Congress on Wednesday passed a bill that would restrict the CIA to using the 19 interrogation techniques outlined by the US Army field manual. | In a vote that split largely along party lines, the Democratic-led Congress on Wednesday passed a bill that would restrict the CIA to using the 19 interrogation techniques outlined by the US Army field manual. |
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 The water-boarding debate | 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 The water-boarding debate |
The legislation would ban the CIA from using not only water-boarding but sensory deprivation and other harsh coercive methods on prisoners. | The legislation would ban the CIA from using not only water-boarding but sensory deprivation and other harsh coercive methods on prisoners. |
"There must be no doubt in the world that this great nation does not torture," said Senator Chuck Hagel, one of the bill's main sponsors. | |
Senator John McCain, who is the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination and who has previously brought anti-torture legislation, voted against the overall bill. | Senator John McCain, who is the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination and who has previously brought anti-torture legislation, voted against the overall bill. |
"I made it very clear that I think that water-boarding is torture and illegal, but I will not restrict the CIA to only the Army field manual," he said. | "I made it very clear that I think that water-boarding is torture and illegal, but I will not restrict the CIA to only the Army field manual," he said. |
Crucial information | Crucial information |
Last week, the CIA publicly admitted for the first time using water-boarding on terror suspects. | Last week, the CIA publicly admitted for the first time using water-boarding on terror suspects. |
The CIA director, General Michael Hayden, told the House Intelligence Committee the technique had only been used on three people, including high-profile al-Qaeda detainee Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, and not for the past five years. | The CIA director, General Michael Hayden, told the House Intelligence Committee the technique had only been used on three people, including high-profile al-Qaeda detainee Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, and not for the past five years. |
He said that water-boarding may no longer be legal given changes in US legislation and that the CIA would respect limits passed by Congress even if it meant failing to get crucial information. | He said that water-boarding may no longer be legal given changes in US legislation and that the CIA would respect limits passed by Congress even if it meant failing to get crucial information. |
Gen Hayden has argued that the CIA has different interrogation needs than the army and requires more latitude to be effective. | Gen Hayden has argued that the CIA has different interrogation needs than the army and requires more latitude to be effective. |
The Senate vote fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a presidential veto, which Mr Bush has threatened to use. | The Senate vote fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a presidential veto, which Mr Bush has threatened to use. |
"Part of this bill are inconsistent with the effective conduct of intelligence gathering," White House spokesman Tony Fratto said. | "Part of this bill are inconsistent with the effective conduct of intelligence gathering," White House spokesman Tony Fratto said. |