CIA's destruction of torture evidence

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but as a tool for information where thousands of lives might be in danger it seems pretty risky because you can never be sure what they are telling is just what you want to hear to get you to stop or telling you misinformation.

I recall reading somewhere (unfortunately not the specifics) that western civilisations found their old methods of torture to be unreliable, but that 'newer' methods were deemed to be a good deal more reliable (I can't recall to what degree).

Also it is usually easier to verify the degree of truths being spoken in todays wired/computer/internet world.

What if that person really did know nothing at all, then that person was tortured for no reason and it is not right and in the end didn't solve anything except bring our country down to an unacceptable level morally. (Not sure what word to use there, maybe ethically would be better; but its more serious than ethics would seem to imply)

Negroponte Warned CIA Against Destroying the Torture Tapes
By Spencer Ackerman - December 17, 2007, 11:32AM

Add another name to the wall of fame. Newsweek reports that John Negroponte -- Mike McConnell's predecessor as director of national intelligence -- told then-CIA Director Porter Goss not to destroy the torture tapes. That instruction, apparently documented, is going to be crucial: advocates for Jose Rodriguez, the CIA official who destroyed the tapes in 2005, have said that they did not receive clear instructions from their superiors firmly telling them to preserve the recordings.

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In the summer of 2005, then CIA director Porter Goss met with then national intelligence director John Negroponte to discuss a highly sensitive matter: what to do about the existence of videotapes documenting the use of controversial interrogation methods, apparently includ­ing waterboarding, on two key Al Qaeda suspects. The tapes were eventually de­stroyed, and congressional investigators are now trying to piece together an extensive paper trail documenting how and why it happened.

One crucial document they'll surely want to examine: a memo written after the meeting between Goss and Negroponte, which records that Negroponte strongly advised against destroying the tapes, according to two people close to the investigation, who asked for anonymity when discussing a sensitive matter. The memo is so far the only known documentation that a senior intel official warned that the tapes should not be destroyed. Spokespeople for the CIA and the intel czar's office declined to comment, citing ongoing investigations.

Tally it up. Advising against destruction were: Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) with Nancy Pelosi "concurring," Goss as both a congressman and CIA director, Harriet Miers, anonymous DOJ officials, and Negroponte. Those with an appetite for destruction were, of course, Rodriguez and, reportedly, lawyers within the CIA's operations directorate.

PERMALINK | COMMENTS (9) | TOPICS: CIA Tapes, torture

From the Los Angeles Times
Destruction of CIA tapes may have violated a court order
A federal judge will investigate whether the action defied his instructions to the federal government to preserve evidence in terrorism detentions.

House Panel "Prepares Subpoenas" for CIA Officials
By Paul Kiel - December 19, 2007, 3:29PM

The House intelligence committee looks ready to follow through on its threat:

In a direct challenge to President Bush, a House panel said Wednesday it has prepared subpoenas to force CIA officials to testify about the agency's secret destruction of interrogation videotapes.

The Justice Department had blocked the officials from appearing at a closed hearing before the panel this week, citing the department's ongoing investigation into the destruction of videotapes of the harsh interrogation of two al-Qaida suspects in 2002. The CIA destroyed the tapes in 2005.

The House Intelligence Committee's threat marked the second challenge to a White House attempt to shut down independent investigations into the matter, and escalates a fight over which branch of government properly has jurisdiction.

It seems they haven't issued the subpoenas yet. This is more of a last chance threat for the DoJ to back down. Ball's in your court, Mr. Mukasey.

U.S. to launch criminal probe of CIA tapes

REUTERS
Reuters North American News Service

Jan 02, 2008 14:30 EST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department said Wednesday it will launch a criminal investigation intothe CIA's destruction of videotapes depicting the harsh interrogation of terrorism suspects.

The CIA last month disclosed that it had destroyed in 2005 hundreds of hours of tapes from the interrogations of two al Qaeda suspects, prompting an outcry from Democrats, human rights activists and some legal experts.

The interrogations, which took place in 2002, were believed to have included a form of simulated drowning known as waterboarding, condemned internationally as torture.

President Bush has said the United States does not torture but has declined to be specific about interrogation methods.

The Justice Department launched an initial inquiry last month. The CIA said it had no immediate comment.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2008/01/us_to_launch_criminal_probe_of.php

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U.S. to launch criminal probe of CIA tapes

REUTERS
Reuters North American News Service

Jan 02, 2008 14:30 EST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department said Wednesday it will launch a criminal investigation intothe CIA's destruction of videotapes depicting the harsh interrogation of terrorism suspects.

The CIA last month disclosed that it had destroyed in 2005 hundreds of hours of tapes from the interrogations of two al Qaeda suspects, prompting an outcry from Democrats, human rights activists and some legal experts.

The interrogations, which took place in 2002, were believed to have included a form of simulated drowning known as waterboarding, condemned internationally as torture.

President Bush has said the United States does not torture but has declined to be specific about interrogation methods.

The Justice Department launched an initial inquiry last month. The CIA said it had no immediate comment.

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