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Bush: I Didn't Know About CIA Tape Destruction
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ShareDecember 11, 2007 11:48 AM
ABC News' Martha Raddatz Reports: In an exclusive interview with ABC News President Bush said Tuesday he did not know about the destruction of CIA videotapes of detainee interrogations.
The President said he was told just a few days ago.
"My first recollection of whether the tapes existed or whether they were destroyed was when [CIA Director] Michael Hayden briefed me," Bush said.
"There's a preliminary inquiry going on and I think you'll find that a lot more data, facts will be coming out," he said, "that's good. It will be interesting to know what the true facts are."
The President made the remarks to ABC News as part of a day-in-the-life series ABC News' White House correspondent Martha Raddatz is shooting with the President.
This is the first time Bush has spoken publicly about the CIA tape controversy, as CIA Director Gen. Michael Hayden begins two days of testimony behind closed doors at the Senate and House intelligence committees to answer questions about his agency's 2005 destruction of videotaped interrogations of terrorist suspects.
The Justice Department and the CIA's internal watchdog are conducting a joint inquiry into the matter to determine whether a full investigation is warranted.
With that review ongoing, the White House counsel's office has instructed White House press secretary Dana Perino not to get into details with reporters.
Perino told reporters this week that the President has no recollection of hearing about the tapes' existence or their destruction before being briefed about it last Thursday.
ABC News' Jonathan Karl has reported then-White House counsel Harriet Miers knew about the CIA's planned destruction of the videotapes in 2005 and urged the CIA not to destroy the tapes.
For more on Martha Raddatz's day-in-the-life of President Bush, watch ABC's World News tonight with Charles Gibson and ABC's Nightline.
December 11, 2007 in Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (106)
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He doesnt know anything about the "torture tapes" because "we don't torture."
Now, ask him about the "enhanced interrogation tapes" and we've got a different story.
Posted by: Cit92 | Dec 11, 2007 12:07:44 PM
Suuuure you did ! Mr. Bush,America can tell you're lying,because your LIPS ARE MOVING !!!
Posted by: Sharon White | Dec 11, 2007 12:07:50 PM
How long do you think it will be until Bush has to admit that he did in fact know about the destruction of these tapes, and was probably instrumental in the decision. I don't know how this guy lives with himself.
Posted by: jason c | Dec 11, 2007 12:08:32 PM
There is no doubt that Jr is once again lying to the American people.
Posted by: mark | Dec 11, 2007 12:09:56 PM
If Bush's nose grew every time he lied, it would lead his face by a block and a half. Evil crooked man.
Posted by: DaveM | Dec 11, 2007 12:13:10 PM
VP Cheney did...
Posted by: threeriverscrossing | Dec 11, 2007 12:13:35 PM
Come on Jr?You honestly expect more than 29% of us to beleive anything you say anymore?Personally, the next(& only thing)I want to hear from you,Sir,is"I resign"!
Posted by: whistleb4dawn | Dec 11, 2007 12:22:19 PM
The same excuse that noted fictional Nazi Sergeant Schutlz used too.
America is being lead by war criminals.
-GSD
Posted by: GSD | Dec 11, 2007 12:22:51 PM
Bush doesn't remember that he's supposed to be the President of the United States, either.
Posted by: moosedog66 | Dec 11, 2007 12:23:34 PM
gw is an idiot.
Posted by: nonidiot | Dec 11, 2007 12:24:45 PM
Bush does not remember anything when it is wrong and of course we ALL BELIEVE this? After so many lies he forgets what is true.
Posted by: Carmen | Dec 11, 2007 12:26:13 PM
Does anyone believe him?
Posted by: Brian G. | Dec 11, 2007 12:30:23 PM
ANOTHER BALD FACED LIE
Posted by: RW | Dec 11, 2007 12:30:54 PM
How is it possible to believe this president. He has lied throughout his presidency. Iraq, Global Warming, Detention, Touture, Iran, and the list goes on.
Posted by: Fhynes | Dec 11, 2007 12:32:53 PM
WOW, Its good to see all of you know how the federal gov. works. You all have the answers and I am sure we will be ok if we just listen to you all.
Posted by: Jim Rod | Dec 11, 2007 12:38:51 PM
How is it possible to believe this president any more. He is given information about Iran during the summer and he goes ahead with his war drumming talk. He lied about Iraq, torture, Iran, global warming, detention, leaks. The list is endless. So sad. So so sad.
Posted by: Fhynes | Dec 11, 2007 12:40:06 PM
I think that once the idea of torture is explained the scenario will play out differently. I mean seriously torture can mean alot of things like, did they or did they not use their bodies as toilets...am I right or what. All I am saying is give peace a chance and maybe we can all live together where we dont judge people for likeing certain things other than wasabi juice.
Posted by: michael vera | Dec 11, 2007 12:40:23 PM
He is SUCH a liar! He needs to be impeached right after Cheney. Pelosi better get on the ball.
Posted by: FedUP | Dec 11, 2007 12:41:20 PM
Bush advisss that he knew nothing about the destruction of the interrogation tapes. This statement is unconscionable,and serves to further cement Bush as the most inept, incompetent and dishonest man to hold the presidency. If indeed he did not know, he should have known - leaving those obsequious to him in a no more tenable position. Tallying up his truly remarkable service over the past seven years, it is unclear how or why this man has not been impeached for abject disservice to this country and to mankind.
Posted by: euphorbia7 | Dec 11, 2007 12:41:56 PM
the only way i can see any possible good coming out of this 8-year national nightmare is if junior and cheney were led away from the white house in handcuffs. they have raided the united states treasury by giving no-bid contracts worth billions of taxpayer dollars to halliburton, kbr, bechtel, and the oil companies...they have bankrupted the federal gov't and kept needed funding from the most vulnerable among us...they have lied, cheated, and disgraced america in the eyes of the entire world. they have degraded science by instructing employees of the government to lie about global warming...it's astonishing that the student-led revolution of the 1960's is not being repeated in the streets of america in 2007...is everyone too stoned on prozac to get mad?? it makes me sick and it has got to end soon.
Posted by: janet | Dec 11, 2007 12:41:56 PM
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