UPDATED: Haspel to pledge never to restart CIA's brutal interrogation program
Last edited Wed May 9, 2018, 11:26 AM - Edit history (1)
Source: The Washington Post
By Karoun Demirjian and Shane Harris May 8 at 8:49 PM
Gina Haspel is expected to tell the Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday that she will not restart the CIAs brutal interrogation program if confirmed to lead the agency, according to excerpts of her remarks released by the agency in advance of what is expected to be a contentious confirmation hearing.
Haspels hearing comes just days after the nominee offered to bow out, to avoid discussing in a public setting her role in the agencys enhanced interrogation program, which many have likened to torture. Haspels answers and overall performance Wednesday could make or break her bid for the Cabinet post.
Committee members are bitterly divided over their assessment of Haspel, with some mostly Republicans praising her record as a career operative, the support she has from CIA rank-and-file, and the fact that, if confirmed, she would become the first woman to run the agency. Others mostly Democrats have criticized Haspel, particularly over her role in the interrogation program implemented after Sept. 11, 2001, and for refusing to declassify documents related to her tenure at the agency.
In addressing the interrogation program, Haspel is expected to acknowledge her service in that tumultuous time to reinforce her personal commitment, clearly and without reservation, not to restart the CIAs detention and interrogation program.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/haspel-to-pledge-never-to-restart-cias-brutal-interrogation-program/2018/05/08/7e13166c-530e-11e8-9c91-7dab596e8252_story.html
UPDATE:
Gina Haspel: 'I Would Never, Ever Take CIA Back To An Interrogation Program'
By DEB RIECHMANN | May 9, 2018 10:15 am
WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trumps nominee to be the next CIA director said Wednesday the spy agency learned tough lessons from its use of harsh detention and interrogation tactics on terror suspects after 9/11 and that if confirmed, she would not permit the CIA to restart such a program.
CIA has learned some tough lessons, especially when asked to tackle missions that fall outside our expertise, acting CIA director Gina Haspel told the Senate intelligence committee. For me, there is no better example of implementing lessons learned than what the agency took away from the detention and interrogation program.
It is important to recall the context of those challenging times immediately following 9/11, she said. Having served in that tumultuous time, I can offer you my personal commitment, clearly and without reservation, that under my leadership, CIA will not restart such a detention and interrogation program.
Haspels promise could put her at odds with Trump, who spoke during the campaign about toughening the U.S. approach to fighting extremists and vowed to authorize waterboarding and a hell of a lot worse.
more
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-cia-nominee-gina-haspel-senate-intelligence-committee-confirmation-hearing
beachbum bob
(10,437 posts)pangaia
(24,324 posts)If you make me dog catcher, I promise never to torture dogs ever again.
notdarkyet
(2,226 posts)Coverups and BS going down already. We dont need another of trumpscretains in the cabinet. We need some decent people.
procon
(15,805 posts)She has an undeniable history on agreeing to torture people if asked to do so. Back when torture was illegal, she willingly complied when Bush redefined the word and ordered prisoners tortured. If Trump orders her to reopen her old torture chambers, she'll gladly start torturing for him too.
I was to believe her, I also would believe in Santa Klaus. I don't and I don't.
Solly Mack
(90,785 posts)and all is well with the world because of promises made by criminals to never do it again and everyone knows that makes it OK to celebrate the criminal now and give them promotions and accolades.
And it was the Bush administration's detention and "interrogation" (torture) program which the CIA, among others, carried out.
The article makes it sound as if the CIA was the sole responsible party.
Sick, sick country.
turbinetree
(24,720 posts)and exposed american service personnel if captured...............................
DeminPennswoods
(15,290 posts)And, ironically, her hearings come 1 day after the 73rd anniversary of V(ictory in) E(urope)-Day.
hatrack
(59,592 posts)Blah blah blah blah blah.
Archae
(46,345 posts)She'll just continue the old one in secret.
Then destroy evidence again.
JustABozoOnThisBus
(23,364 posts)And a Dem president in 2021
I think Don could have made worse choices. Eric Prince would have made an even worse CIA chief. Or, give the job to one of his sons.