« CIA ignored warnings about interrogation videos | Talking Points Memo Home

Hamilton sees obstruction

12.08.07 -- 10:51AM
By Steve Benen

The CIA withheld information about its interrogation videos from quite a few people, but we can include the 9/11 Commission among those who are annoyed about having been misled.

[I]n separate interviews on Friday, the co-chairmen, Thomas H. Kean and Lee H. Hamilton, said they had made clear in hours of negotiations and discussions with the C.I.A., as well as in written requests, that they wanted all material connected to the interrogations of Qaeda operatives in the agency's custody in order to get a complete understanding of the events leading up to the Sept. 11 attacks for their 2004 report. [...]

"The C.I.A. certainly knew of our interest in getting all the information we could on the detainees, and they never indicated to us there were any videotapes," Mr. Hamilton said. "Did they obstruct our inquiry? The answer is clearly yes. Whether that amounts to a crime, others will have to judge."

Mr. Kean said, "I'm upset that they didn't tell us the truth."

And speaking of not telling the truth, the White House emphasized yesterday that Bush has "no recollection" of being made aware of the tapes' destruction before Thursday, when CIA Director Gen. Michael Hayden briefed the president.

Given the quality and reliability of White House denials of late, I'm inclined to assume this means the president keeps a DVD copy of the video in his desk drawer and has held multiple screenings of the interrogations in the White House screening room.

Or maybe I'm just cynical.

Recent Archives

November 29, 2009 - December 5, 2009
November 22, 2009 - November 28, 2009
November 15, 2009 - November 21, 2009
November 8, 2009 - November 14, 2009

TPM News Headlines

Share
Close Social Web Email

"To" Email Address

Your Name

Your Email Address