The U.S. Department of Justice has released four previously undisclosed memos from its Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) supporting the legality of waterboarding and other physical interrogation methods used by CIA agents on War on Terror detainees under the George W. Bush administration.
Copies of the four Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel opinions were posted on the website of the American Civil Liberties Union which had sought their release in a lawsuit. The Justice Department has not yet posted the memos on its website.
President Obama has directed the CIA and U.S. Military to no longer use such forms of interrogation. "The President has halted the use of the interrogation techniques described in these opinions, and this administration has made clear from day one that it will not condone torture," said Attorney General Eric Holder in a press release. "We are disclosing these memos consistent with our commitment to the rule of law."
"The United States is a nation of laws, said President Obama in a press release. My Administration will always act in accordance with those laws, and with an unshakeable commitment to our ideals. That is why we have released these memos, and that is why we have taken steps to ensure that the actions described within them never take place again.
This is a time for reflection, not retribution, added the President. I respect the strong views and emotions that these issues evoke. We have been through a dark and painful chapter in our history. But at a time of great challenges and disturbing disunity, nothing will be gained by spending our time and energy laying blame for the past.
Attorney General Holder also stated that the CIA agents had relied in good faith on the legal advice contained in the Justice Department memos when they conducted the interrogations. As a result, stressed Holder, the agents involved would not face federal prosecution for their actions. "It would be unfair to prosecute dedicated men and women working to protect America for conduct that was sanctioned in advance by the Justice Department," Holder said.
Also See:
Torture Ban Draws Bush Veto of Intelligence Act
Torture and Executive Power (Civil Liberties)
Comments
This is ironic as it comes at a time when these tactics are not needed but were needed at the time used.
It is like saying to someone you just saved with not so acceptable tactics, well we are not going to use those tactics anymore.
It takes a real leader to decide these tactics in a time they are needed and our safety was a concern when President Bush supposedly approved them.
After the fact, is not herioc. History supports the use of these tactics in time of need.
Let’s see what happens if the situation is placed on President Obama, does he think a terroist is going to sit down to a dinner meeting and offer up information or intelligence needed.
President Obama’s lack of military and war practices is reflected in his decisions he makes such as this.
I am very concerned for our nation with this type of leader.
If Obama is so committed to adherence to the law, how come he could not stick to it during his campaign, literally buying the president, considering the voters mere subjects of entertainment and brain washing marketing techniques, that in my opinion smeared the office of the president for a long time to come.
If Obama choses to publish the so called “torture memos” in yet another attempt to distract people by looking back and passing the “hot potato” to Bush, Obama should be man enough to publish all related documents so the issue remains within context. But then again, what can we expect from the master of deceit?