Cheney Slams Obama Over CIA Investigations
In particular, Cheney said new investigations and possible prosecutions into past CIA interrogations and the creation of new unit within the FBI to handle future interrogations both were "a reminder, if any were needed, of why so many Americans have doubts about this Administration's ability to be responsible for our nation's security."
Cheney has become one of the Obama administration's most persistent critics, especially when it comes to anti-terror policies and their criticism of interrogation and detention tactics taken during the War on Terror.
In this statement, the former vice president also zeroed in on the 2004 CIA report on interrogations, which was declassified yesterday. The report revealed more details of the interrogations of terror suspects, including threats made to kill the children of 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, other detainees who were threatened with a handgun and power drill and allegations that another suspect was told his mother would be sexually assaulted in front of him.
Cheney, who has consistently said that so called "Enhanced Interrogation Techniques" of terror suspects saved lives, reiterated that sentiment in his reaction to the release of this latest report, saying the actions taken were responsible for thwarting attacks.
"The documents released Monday clearly demonstrate that the individuals subjected to Enhanced Interrogation Techniques provided the bulk of intelligence we gained about al Qaeda. This intelligence saved lives and prevented terrorist attacks," he said. "These detainees also, according to the documents, played a role in nearly every capture of al Qaeda members and associates since 2002."
Cheney also specifically praised those who carried out the interrogations. Attorney General Eric Holder announced yesterday that federal prosecutor John Durham will look into whether CIA officers or contractors should be prosecuted for actions made during interrogations.
"The people involved deserve our gratitude," Cheney said. "They do not deserve to be the targets of political investigations or prosecutions."
More Coverage:
Inside the CIA's Haphazard Interrogations
Andrew Cohen: 10 Things About the CIA's Bad Day
Declan McCullagh: Did CIA Interrogators Violate Federal Law Against Torture?
CIA Threatened To Kill Suspect's Children
Holder Taps Prosecutor to Probe CIA Abuses
New Unit Will Question Key Terror Suspects
Panetta Defends CIA in E-Mail to Agency
Bush Admin. Official Criticizes CIA Probe
Dems Laud, Republicans Slam CIA Interrogation News
Expert: CIA Techniques Were Torture
Unplugged: Uncovering CIA Interrogations
