UPDATED: Haspel to pledge never to restart CIA's brutal interrogation program

[DonViejo]

Last edited Wed May 9, 2018, 11:26 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: The Washington Post


By Karoun Demirjian and Shane Harris May 8 at 8:49 PM

Gina Haspel is expected to tell the Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday that she “will not restart” the CIA’s brutal interrogation program if confirmed to lead the agency, according to excerpts of her remarks released by the agency in advance of what is expected to be a contentious confirmation hearing.

Haspel’s hearing comes just days after the nominee offered to bow out, to avoid discussing in a public setting her role in the agency’s enhanced interrogation program, which many have likened to torture. Haspel’s answers and overall performance Wednesday could make or break her bid for the Cabinet post.

Committee members are bitterly divided over their assessment of Haspel, with some — mostly Republicans — praising her record as a career operative, the support she has from CIA rank-and-file, and the fact that, if confirmed, she would become the first woman to run the agency. Others — mostly Democrats — have criticized Haspel, particularly over her role in the interrogation program implemented after Sept. 11, 2001, and for refusing to declassify documents related to her tenure at the agency.

In addressing the interrogation program, Haspel is expected to acknowledge her service “in that tumultuous time” to reinforce her “personal commitment, clearly and without reservation,” not to restart the CIA’s detention and interrogation program.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/haspel-to-pledge-never-to-restart-cias-brutal-interrogation-program/2018/05/08/7e13166c-530e-11e8-9c91-7dab596e8252_story.html

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UPDATE:

Gina Haspel: 'I Would Never, Ever Take CIA Back To An Interrogation Program'

By DEB RIECHMANN | May 9, 2018 10:15 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next CIA director said Wednesday the spy agency learned “tough lessons” from its use of harsh detention and interrogation tactics on terror suspects after 9/11 and that if confirmed, she would not permit the CIA to restart such a program.

“CIA has learned some tough lessons, especially when asked to tackle missions that fall outside our expertise,” acting CIA director Gina Haspel told the Senate intelligence committee. “For me, there is no better example of implementing lessons learned than what the agency took away from the detention and interrogation program.”

“It is important to recall the context of those challenging times immediately following 9/11,” she said. “Having served in that tumultuous time, I can offer you my personal commitment, clearly and without reservation, that under my leadership, CIA will not restart such a detention and interrogation program.”

Haspel’s promise could put her at odds with Trump, who spoke during the campaign about toughening the U.S. approach to fighting extremists and vowed to authorize waterboarding and a “hell of a lot worse.”

more
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-cia-nominee-gina-haspel-senate-intelligence-committee-confirmation-hearing

[beachbum bob]

1. no one in trump admin can be believed, neither can most conservatives, Their first nature is lie

[pangaia]

2. Too late, lady...

If you make me dog catcher, I promise never to torture dogs ever again.

[notdarkyet]

3. What about all the records related to torture she destroyed. Can't forgive that. Enough

Coverups and BS going down already. We don’t need another of trumpscretains in the cabinet. We need some decent people.

[procon]

4. Why would anyone believe that?

She has an undeniable history on agreeing to torture people if asked to do so. Back when torture was illegal, she willingly complied when Bush redefined the word and ordered prisoners tortured. If Trump orders her to reopen her old torture chambers, she'll gladly start torturing for him too.

[heaven05]

5. if

I was to believe her, I also would believe in Santa Klaus. I don't and I don't.

[Solly Mack]

6. And a rapist promises never to rape again and a murderer promises to never murder again

and all is well with the world because of promises made by criminals to never do it again and everyone knows that makes it OK to celebrate the criminal now and give them promotions and accolades.

And it was the Bush administration's detention and "interrogation" (torture) program which the CIA, among others, carried out.

The article makes it sound as if the CIA was the sole responsible party.

Sick, sick country.

[turbinetree]

7. She fucking destroyed evidence............and her involvement in the act

and exposed american service personnel if captured...............................

[DeminPennswoods]

8. Once again, she is a war criminal

And, ironically, her hearings come 1 day after the 73rd anniversary of V(ictory in) E(urope)-Day.

[hatrack]

9. "Sessions Pledges To Uphold Law"' "Pruitt Pledges To Protect Environment"

Blah blah blah blah blah.

[Archae]

10. She won't restart the program.

She'll just continue the old one in secret.

Then destroy evidence again.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

11. All we need is more Dem senators and representatives in 2019

And a Dem president in 2021

I think Don could have made worse choices. Eric Prince would have made an even worse CIA chief. Or, give the job to one of his sons.