WASHINGTON, Dec. 16, 2007
Top Republican Vows CIA Tape Probe
Hoekstra Defies Bush Administration, Pledges Investigation Into Destroyed CIA Tapes
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"You've got a community that's incompetent. They are arrogant. And they are political," Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich., said. (Getty Images)
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Play CBS Video Video More Questions About CIA Tapes Critics of the CIA want to know if the agency's destruction of interrogation videos was meant to cover up wrongdoing. Thalia Assuras reports.
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Video Why Did CIA Destroy Tapes? Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.V., and Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., talk about the CIA's admission that it destroyed videotapes of interrogations of terror suspects.
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Video Schieffer: America's Message After CIA officials destroyed video tapes of terror suspects' interrogations, Bob Schieffer says that the U.S. needs to take a better look at the message we're sending to the world.
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Interactive Gitmo Tribunals Detainees on trial, photos and a history of the naval base.
"We want to hold the community accountable for what's happened with these tapes. I think we will issue subpoenas," said Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich.
The Justice Department has urged Congress not to investigate and advised intelligence officials not to cooperate with a legislative inquiry.
"You've got a community that's incompetent. They are arrogant. And they are political," Hoekstra said. "And I think that we're going to hold (CIA Director) Mike Hayden accountable."
Earlier this month, the CIA acknowledged destroying videos showing the harsh interrogation of top al Qaeda suspects. Hayden said the videos, which were made in 2002, were destroyed in 2005 out of fear the tapes would leak and reveal the identifies of interrogators. Hayden said the sessions were videotaped to provide an added layer of legal protection for officers using tough interrogation methods authorized by President Bush to help break down recalcitrant prisoners.
The House panel subsequently vowed to investigate, requesting documents and making plans to call several witnesses.
But on Friday, Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Wainstein and CIA Inspector General John Helgerson, who are heading a separate Justice-CIA preliminary inquiry into the videotape destruction, asked Hoekstra and House Intelligence Chairman Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, to postpone the review until it's clear where the government's preliminary inquiry will lead. They said they could not predict how long that would take.
Wainstein and Helgerson explained their inquiry would need the same documents and witnesses the committee has requested.
"Our ability to obtain the most reliable and complete information would likely be jeopardized if the CIA undertakes the steps necessary to respond to your requests in a comprehensive fashion at this time," they wrote in a letter to the committee. In particular, they cited the committee's request to interview CIA inspector general personnel "because they are potential witnesses in the matter under our inquiry."
On Sunday, Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif., said a congressional review was necessary because it was an "independent branch of government." She noted that Congress and the Justice Department have conducted many parallel inquiries in the past.
Harman said that when she was the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee in 2003, she sent a letter to the CIA warning the agency not to destroy the videotapes and "they did it anyway and they didn't tell us."
"So I am worried. It smells like the cover-up of the cover-up," Harman said.
Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., reiterated his call for Attorney General Michael Mukasey to appoint a special counsel to investigate, citing Mukasey's refusal during confirmation hearings in October to describe waterboarding as torture. Mukasey has said there is no need right now to appoint a special prosecutor.
"I don't have confidence in the president. I don't have confidence in the vice president. And I don't have confidence in the Justice Department. That's as simple as I can put it," said Biden, a 2008 presidential contender.
Hoekstra and Harman spoke on "Fox News Sunday," and Biden appeared on CNN's "Late Edition."
© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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See all 62 CommentsAmerican Imans in this country are both spiritual leaders and politicians. They gain support in their Mosque by claiming victimization, mostly through fabricated stories and staged demonstrations.
judge for your selves.
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=OGVlNzk2YmQ4NGZjNjFhZjU4NmE0OGYyOTBhYjNiNDA=
1) how many days did Larry Silverstein own the WTC before it was demolished?
2) who was the presiding judge in the insurance case that awarded Silverstein 7 billion dollars for the supposed terrorist attacks and subsequent destruction of the WTC?
3) who was attorney general of NYC who on 9/11 detained and then quietly released (weeks later) multiple Mossad agents who were acting suspiciously (celebrating the collapses, "documenting" the event, trace explosives found in their van..)
ok, the envelope please ...
1) 50 days
2) Michael Mukasey, yes, our Attorney General ...
3) Michael Chertoff, our FEMA director..
here%u2019s an independent photographer who shot close up footage of the Pentagon on 9/11 %u2013 watch his footage and hear what he has to say %u2013 then ask yourself %u201Cwhere%u2019s the plane?%u201D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYWIT9TSJPE
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAwtmun_aj8&feature=related
and here:
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The arrogance of the shrub admin permeated the whole govn!
They really thought it was OK and only destroyed the tapes in 2005 when it became apparent that the Bush scandels were going to be exposed.
What a blot on our reputation!
You know, one has to wonder at the stupidity of making tapes of the torture to begin with?? Surely they didn''''t think that this was going to be hidden forever??
On second thought though, maybe they are that stupid!
Posted by clestes
Of course they made a tape. It was a feeling below the belt that hadn''t been felt in a long time. It needed to be recorded.
Hoekstra is a fraud. This guy only gets involved when he thinks he can make himself look better.
Whenever a Repugnant "appears to break ranks" and challenge the GOP, they threaten him, his family, and his career and finances, then the ''rebel'' launches a Sham of an investigation and then quickly closes it without ever really investigating in a non-partisan tack to achieve results and justice. Then announces the Accused are innocent and the GOP was not involved and blah blah blah....Vindication!
whatever. Pete, do your thing and stay quiet.
Posted by clestes
If it involves the BUSH administration you can bet your life it''s stupid, not well-thought out or just plain corrupt!
Posted by Fornicario
Right wing "conservative" are conservative with everyone but themselves.
You know, one has to wonder at the stupidity of making tapes of the torture to begin with?? Surely they didn''t think that this was going to be hidden forever??
On second thought though, maybe they are that stupid!
Posted by veteran71
Well let''s not forget that Newt''s gang of merry men used illegally recorded calls from Monica Lewinsky to go after and impeach a sitting president. I suppose old habits die hard for said sleaze balls.
Posted by skyk
Let''s keep the Constitution and make Bush the "burger king", his talents are far better suited to that endeavor anyways.
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Posted by rafterman1
Well, usually I dont think I''m better than most people. But, then there''s you people on here. Yes, I''m better than you....
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