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CIA Admits Destroying Al Qaeda Interrogation Tapes

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December 06, 2007 5:13 PM

ABC News' Jonathan Karl Reports: The CIA today is acknowledging that they videotaped the interrogation of two top Al Qaeda prisoners in 2002 and that the tapes were destroyed in 2005.

CIA Director Mike Hayden sent a message to CIA employees today saying "the press has learned" about the videotapes and the fact that they were destroyed.  Hayden makes no apologies:  He defends the interrogation methods, the videotaping and the decision to destroy the tapes.

He says the tapes were destroyed in 2005 because they were no longer of intelligence or legal value and that if they leaked they would "pose a serious security risk" by revealing the identities of CIA operatives involved in the interrogation.

There were tapes of two detainees, one of which was Abu Zubaydah, according to a U.S. official.  The taping stopped in 2002.

The decision to destroy the tapes was made by the CIA, but Hayden says the leaders of the Congressional intelligence committees knew about the tapes and the decision to destroy them.

December 6, 2007 in Romney, Mitt | Permalink | User Comments (3)

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This isn't anything new. We have been lied to for the past 7-8 years. Of course this Adminstration and the CIA are going to destroy these tapes, they would be charged with acts of torture and who knows what else if they didn't, and would have to face the United Nations, and the rest of the world. They don't care about the citizens in this country, but they better start worrying about the rest of the world. Our Country, and I say all of Country has made a big mistake by not impeaching this president and all of his minions. I just pray it is not too late, and I pray our country has not fallen so far from grace that we cannot be forgiven.

Posted by: Terry | Dec 6, 2007 10:36:04 PM

So tapes of illegal interrogation of so-called "Al Qaeda" operatives were destroyed during the last eight years of illegal governance of the USA. This whole episode has shown us that labeling someone and imprisoning them without due process does not make them guilty of any crimes or actions of war against the USA. The only element that we can hold against many of the GITO prisoners is being awfully unlucky. It also helped that the officials of the USA were willing to disavow knowledge of any documents that would limit their terrorism. These include the US Constitution, Bill of Rights, 200+ years of legal case history and precidents, any number of Treaties prohibiting such cohersive behavior, and all tenents of moral behavior. No, I am afraid that it was us - the United States - that ultimately commited most of the terrorist crimes against mankind and in order to "cover our tracks" the auhorities had to destroy whatever evidence they could. Remember, under most western legal systems, evidence is required for conviction of any capital crimes.

Posted by: Michael A. Schoenfield | Mar 2, 2009 5:50:00 PM

LOL Bush Lied LOL whatever people... The CIA didn't torture anyone, I've seen worst things done at frat parties. It's easy to sit back and be high and mighty with your opinions but i wonder what they would be like if you lost someone during 9/11 hmmm???? You should be thankful we have people in the CIA that is willing to do what needs to be done to stop people who want to kill us. The CIA provides us with freedom and safety and you have the nerve to question the manner in which it is provided. IF you don't like it maybe you should go live in Iran or Pakistan and see what kind of freedoms you would have. I hear they really love diversity!!!

Posted by: David | Apr 16, 2009 10:38:45 PM

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