WASHINGTON (CNN) – The CIA rejected former Vice President Dick Cheney's request to declassify records of abusive interrogations of suspected terrorists, a spokesman for the spy agency said Thursday.
In a written statement, CIA spokesman Paul Gimigliano said the two documents Cheney requested are the subject of a pending lawsuit and cannot be declassified.
Cheney has said he wants the documents released so there can be a more "honest debate" on the Bush administration's approval of "alternative" interrogation techniques against suspected terrorists. He argued that those techniques provided valuable intelligence that saved American lives, but critics say they amounted to the illegal torture of prisoners in U.S. custody.
From CNN Politics
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What if Cheney's right?
In a futile attempt to avoid having Nancy Pelosi to resign, there is underway a massive coverup being managed by Obama's Office. Pelosi is caught in multiple lies. And just today, she accused the CIA of lying to Congress and to her intelligence committee – a very serious charge. The CIA has responded angrily and stands by its story, and is refuting Pelosi. How can the 3rd person in line for the Presidency – Pelosi – continue in her position having now been caught in multiple lies and now in a pitched battle with the CIA. Obama and his henchmen are working overtime on trying to control the situation, but it may be too late for Pelosi, who may have to step down as Speaker, and perhaps even resign.
The concept he is attemping to push is funny to me. Ok we approve what ammounts to be torture to try to get information. Some of it proves useful so that Justifies the use of the torture because a greater good came from it. The truth is that the use of torture is wrong no matter how useful the information obtained from it process is. While it would be a shame if a tragic event could have been prevented the moral failure was on the part of those conducting the the vile act. When we accept such tactics as torture we are just as guilty of villiany,
1 life or a million it is still a crime.
Cheney is a serious. And his daughter Liz has an extremely high "C" factor. They both should just shut up. Anyone defending the Bush is out of their mind. All one has to do is look at how Bush's administration nearly bankrupted the world.
It sounds like the bamster has some friends in the CIA. But if Dick Cheney should be tried for war crimes, should Nancy Pelosi be tried for war crimes as well, since she knew about the EIT that were being used on terrorists? IMPEACH PELOSI!!!!!
Personally I don't think they should be released at this point in history...we know it was a not a good thing to do..that's what the public has been screaming about. We have to consider all our troops throughout the world and not put them in any worse of a position.
Maybe we can get Cheney to subject himself to "alternative" interrogation. Someone please water board that man. The Bush Administration got down in the muck with the terrorists. They are no better perhaps worse because they crossed the line regarding interrogation practices and changed the wording to suit their agenda and to keep them from prosecution. I hope they all end up in prison.
Amazing how Chaney didn't want anything discussed when he was in office. Now all of of sudden he's want to be a regular chatterbox.
Seriously, I'm sickened that he appears to be more concerned about covering his butt than the security of the country. What he wants probably should NOT be released to the general public and our enemies.
What is the CIA hiding? I bet Cheney is telling the truth. Considering that you have people opposing Cheney's comments about the waterboarding working. I'm not saying it was the right thing to do, but I don't believe those opposing comments since the CIA has refused to release the documents. There must be something in them that they don't want us to know. I can't take the current administration, past administration, congress, CIA or the media's word on anything. It all sounds like manipulation of the american people to me. Then when the truth does come out, we the american people will look stupid for believing their lying crap.
Poor Darth Vader.....misses the good old days when all his puppets did what he wanted.......
Seems like when you were asked for your records of those that visited you as VP you claimed executive privilege...............Sorry Darth you are not an executive anymore, just someone that needs to pack his bags for jail!!!!!!!!
What the point of the declassification? Dick Cheney doesn’t get it... It doesn’t matter if it worked or not, it’s still called “torture.”
So yesterday in a congressional hearing we heard a man named "Ali" tell us waterboarding doesn't work without any facts to make his case, only opinion. Now we have the former VP telling us it does work and says he has facts to support it, but the Pres. won't release those facts. Is this what Obama means by transparent? He's quick to release anything that promotes his politics, even at the expense of our troops and our security, but won't permit an opposing viewpoint. So much for "honest, open, and transparent"
GIVE IT UP DICK! Remember you thought you were your OWN branch of the government? Well...now you are NO branch of the government. Perhaps no remembered to tell you.
Funny you want an honest debate NOW.....the whole time you were in office you denied any of this even happened!
So.....do us ALL a favor and head on up to Alaska.....go hunting with Sarah Palin! (wink)
How long does America have to put up with this old and evil windbag ?
Go home Dick. See Dick. See Dick go home.
Hey Dick why don't you request the reopening of the 9/11 case or do you have dirt there too.
Does he not realize he was not, never has been, the President of the United States and most of us do not care what he wants or what he has to say?
He KNEW the CIA wouldn't release these documents – THAT'S why he's asking for them – so he can make himself look good. "Hey if ONLY the CIA would release those documents everyone would see that it was all worth it. Its just such a shame that they won't release them. But take my word for it, if you saw the documents you'd see it was all justified."
Right, Dick. Gee...what a coincidence that the only documents you need to exonerate yourself are the ones that are classified. What? You don't have copies in your man-size safe Dick?
Who does Cheney think he is? Just because he got to act like he was President while he was the VP doesn't give him the right to act like he is still President. He is just an ordinary citizen with a big mouth.
How convenient that Leon Panetta won't allow them to be released.
There is only one word to describe Cheney... "imperious". He truly believes he has all the answers...in fact...the ONLY answers. Go away Dick...you've hurt us enough.
It's amazing how the liberals commenting on this post are still filled with hate, despite the fact they deride others for their hatred.
Take a good look in the mirror sometime. Replace the subject of your derision with your president and see if you would be offended, then act appropriately.
You can't have it both ways, unless you admit to your hypocrisy openly.
The CIA could redact and unclassify the documents without doing harm, and that would quell the arguments.
What really should be declassified is everything related to leaking the names of CIA agents to the press.
Could Mr. Cheney share with us more on that without being waterboarded?
DICK CHENEY is full of hot air, why is he talking so much lately. Bill Clinton was right he needs to go back to target practice and then shoot a friend.
I sure wish this man would go away, He is scarey,,,,
He stayed hid out for 8 yrs, now he is back, and won't shut up!!!
Cheney seriously needs more things to do with his free time-
I guess he'd have more friends to play with if he'd stop shooting them in the face.