by D. Cupples | The Times of London ran a fascinating article today (excerpts below):
"The CIA chief who ordered the destruction of secret videotapes recording the harsh interrogation [likely illegal torturing] of two top Al-Qaeda suspects has indicated he may seek immunity from prosecution in exchange for testifying before the House intelligence committee.
"Jose Rodriguez, former head of the CIA’s clandestine service, is determined not to become the fall guy in the controversy over the CIA’s use of torture, according to intelligence sources...."
" It has emerged that at least four White House staff were approached for advice about the tapes, including David Addington, a senior aide to Dick Cheney, the vice-president, but none has admitted to recommending their destruction."
Actually, in an article that ran five days ago, an ex-senior intelligence official told the New York Times that "there had been 'vigorous sentiment' among some top White House officials to destroy the tapes." The Times of London continued:
"Vincent Cannistraro, former head of counterterrorism at the CIA, said it was impossible for Rodriguez to have acted on his own: 'If everybody was against the decision, why in the world would Jose Rodriguez – one of the most cautious men I have ever met – have gone ahead and destroyed them?...'
"The House intelligence committee has subpoenaed Rodriguez to appear for a hearing on January 16. Last week the CIA began opening its files to congressional investigators. Silvestre Reyes, a Democrat who is chairing the committee, has said he was 'not looking for scapegoats' – a hint to Rodriguez that he would like him to talk.
"Larry Johnson, a former CIA officer, believes the scandal could reach deep into the White House. “The CIA and Jose Rodriguez look bad, but he’s probably the least culpable person in the process. He didn’t wake up one day and decide, ‘I’m going to destroy these tapes.’ He checked with a lot of people and eventually he is going to get his say.”
"Johnson says Rodriguez got his fingers burnt during the Iran-contra scandal while working for the CIA in Latin America in the 1980s. Even then he sought authorisation from senior officials. But when summoned to the FBI for questioning, he was told Iran-contra was “political – get your own lawyer.”
It'll be interesting to see whether Rodriguez asks for and gets immunity and what tunes he sings thereafter. Memeorandum has other bloggers' commentary: TalkLeft, At-Largely and CannonFire.
Related BN-Politics Posts:
* Ex-Official: Some in White House Wanted Torture Tapes Destroyed
* Mukasey's Bizarre Reason for Refusing to Share Info w/Congress
* Bush Demands Right to Torture, Retired Generals Disagree
* CIA Lawyers Authorized Destruction of Tapes? The Plot Thickens
* CIA Destroyed Evidence of Torture Sessions
* Iran: is the Administration Telling the Truth or Saving Face?
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