CIA: Pelosi Briefed on Use of 'Enhanced Interrogations'

6.8SPC_DUMP · 05-08-2009, 02:00

CIA Says Pelosi Was Briefed on Use of 'Enhanced Interrogations'
By Paul Kane

Intelligence officials released documents this evening saying that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was briefed in September 2002 about the use of harsh interrogation tactics against al-Qaeda prisoners, seemingly contradicting her repeated statements over the past 18 months that she was never told that these techniques were actually being used.

In a 10-page memo outlining an almost seven-year history of classified briefings, intelligence officials said that Pelosi and then-Rep. Porter Goss (R-Fla.) were the first two members of Congress ever briefed on the interrogation tactics. Then the ranking member and chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, respectively, Pelosi and Goss were briefed Sept. 4, 2002, one week before the first anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The memo, issued by the Director of National Intelligence and the Central Intelligence Agency to Capitol Hill, notes the Pelosi-Goss briefing covered "EITs including the use of EITs on Abu Zubaydah." EIT is an acronym for enhanced interrogation technique. Zubaydah was one of the earliest valuable al-Qaeda members captured and the first to have the controversial tactic known as water boarding used against him.

The issue of what Pelosi knew and when she knew it has become a matter of heated debate on Capitol Hill. Republicans have accused her of knowing for many years precisely the techniques CIA agents were using in interrogations, and only protesting the tactics when they became public and liberal antiwar activists protested.

In a carefully worded statement, Pelosi's office said today that she had never been briefed about the use of waterboarding, only that it had been approved by Bush administration lawyers as a legal technique to use in interrogations.

"As this document shows, the Speaker was briefed only once, in September 2002. The briefers described these techniques, said they were legal, but said that waterboarding had not yet been used," said Brendan Daly, Pelosi's spokesman.

Pelosi's statement did not address whether she was informed that other harsh techniques were already in use during the Zubaydah interrogations.

In December 2007 the Washington Post reported that leaders of the House and Senate intelligence committees had been briefed in the fall of 2002 about waterboarding -- which simulates drowning -- and other techniques, and that no congressional leaders protested its use. At the time Pelosi said she was not told that waterboarding was being used, a position she stood by repeatedly last month when the Bush-era Justice Department legal documents justifying the interrogation tactics were released by Attorney General Eric Holder.

The new memo shows that intelligence officials were willing to share the information about waterboarding with only a sharply closed group of people. Three years after the initial Pelosi-Goss briefing, Bush officials still limited interrogation technique briefings to just the chairman and ranking member of the House and Senate intelligence committees, the so-called Gang of Four in the intelligence world.

In October 2005, CIA officials began briefing other congressional leaders with oversight of the intelligence community, including top appropriators who provided the agency its annual funding. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a prisoner-of-war in Vietnam and an opponent of torture techniques, was also read into the program at that time even though he did not hold a special committee position overseeing the intelligence community.

A bipartisan collection of lawmakers have criticized the practice of limiting information to just the "Gang of Four", who were expressly forbidden from talking about the information from other colleagues, including fellow members of the intelligence committees. Pelosi and others are considering reforms that would assure a more open process for all committee members.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/cap...riefed_on.html

SF_BHT · 05-08-2009, 05:50

OK Lets list all, ALL the Dems and Rep's that knew. It was not Palosi and one or two more. They are all now acting like it is such a scandal and they are pandering for Political Press. I Hate Politicians.

Utah Bob · 05-08-2009, 07:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by SF_BHT

OK Lets list all, ALL the Dems and Rep's that knew. It was not Palosi and one or two more. They are all now acting like it is such a scandal and they are pandering for Political Press. I Hate Politicians.

Yup. A lot of sanctimonious "Harrumphing" going on in Congress right now.
Reminds me of Casablanca, when Captain Renault shut down Rick's Cafe Americain for illegal gambling then collected his winnings.
"I'm Shocked to discover that gambling is taking place here!!"

Ret10Echo · 05-08-2009, 07:53

A partial list of those who may have found themselves in a position to "hear" something (and they told two friends..and so on and so on......)

My Google-Fu is a little weak trying to reach back beyond the 109th for the House membership.....

Members of the
House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence,

111th Congress:

Silvestre Reyes, Chairman, Texas
Alcee L. Hastings, Florida
Anna G. Eshoo, California
Rush D. Holt, New Jersey
C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, Maryland
John F. Tierney, Massachusetts
Mike Thompson, California
Jan Schakowsky, Illinois
James Langevin, Rhode Island
Patrick Murphy, Pennsylvania
Adam Schiff, California
Adam Smith, Washington
Dan Boren, Oklahoma
Peter Hoekstra, Ranking Member, Michigan
Elton Gallegly, California
Mac Thornberry, Texas
Mike J. Rogers, Michigan
Sue Myrick, North Carolina
Roy Blunt, Missouri
Jeff Miller, Florida
John Kline, Minnesota
K. Michael Conaway, Texas

Ex officio
Nancy Pelosi, California
John Boehner, Ohio

Members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence,
110th Congress

Silvestre Reyes (Texas), Chairman
Alcee L. Hastings (Fla.)
Leonard L. Boswell (Iowa)
Bud Cramer (Ala.)
Anna G. Eshoo (Calif.)
Rush D. Holt (N.J.)
Dutch Ruppersberger (Md.)
John Tierney (Mass.)
Mike Thompson (Calif.)
Jan Schakowsky (Ill.)
Jim Langevin (R.I.)
Patrick Murphy (Pa.)
Peter Hoekstra (Mich.), Ranking Member
Terry Everett (Ala.)
Heather Wilson (N.M.)
Mac Thornberry (Texas)
John McHugh (N.Y.)
Todd Tiahrt (Kan.)
Mike J. Rogers (Mich.)
Rick Renzi (Ariz.)
Darrell Issa (Calif.)

109th Congress (2005-2006)

Members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence,

Jane Harman (Calif.)
Alcee L. Hastings (Fla.)
Silvestre Reyes (Texas)
Leonard L. Boswell (Iowa)
Bud Cramer (Ala.)
Anna G. Eshoo (Calif.)
Rush D. Holt (N.J.)
Dutch Ruppersberger (Md.)
John Tierney (Mass.)
Peter Hoekstra (Mich.), Chairman
Ray LaHood (Ill.)
Terry Everett (Ala.)
Elton Gallegly (Calif.)
Heather Wilson (N.M.)
Jo Ann Davis (Va.)
Mac Thornberry (Texas)
John McHugh (N.Y.)
Todd Tiahrt (Kan.)
Mike Rogers (Mich.)
Rick Renzi (Ariz.)
Darrell Issa (Calif.)

Senate Intelligence Committee Membership 107th – 111th Congress (2001 – present)

2009-2010

Dianne Feinstein, California
Chairman Christopher S. Bond, Missouri
Vice Chairman John D. Rockefeller IV, West Virginia
Orrin Hatch, Utah
Ron Wyden, Oregon
Olympia J. Snowe, Maine
Evan Bayh, Indiana
Saxby Chambliss, Georgia
Barbara A. Mikulski, Maryland
Richard Burr, North Carolina
Russell D. Feingold, Wisconsin
Tom Coburn, Oklahoma
Bill Nelson, Florida
James Risch, Idaho
Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island

Harry Reid, Nevada, Ex Officio
Mitch McConnell, Kentucky, Ex Officio
Carl Levin, Michigan, Ex Officio
John McCain, Arizona, Ex Officio

2007-2008

John D. Rockefeller IV, West Virginia
Chairman Christopher S. Bond, Missouri
Vice Chairman Dianne Feinstein, California
John Warner, Virginia
Ron Wyden, Oregon
Chuck Hagel, Nebraska
Evan Bayh, Indiana
Saxby Chambliss, Georgia
Barbara A. Mikulski, Maryland
Orrin Hatch, Utah
Russell D. Feingold, Wisconsin
Olympia J. Snowe, Maine
Bill Nelson, Florida
Richard Burr, North Carolina
Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island

Harry Reid, Nevada, Ex Officio
Mitch McConnell, Kentucky, Ex Officio
Carl Levin, Michigan, Ex Officio
John McCain, Arizona, Ex Officio

2006

Pat Roberts, Kansas
Chairman John D. Rockefeller IV, West Virginia
Vice Chairman Orrin G. Hatch, Utah
Carl Levin, Michigan
Mike DeWine, Ohio
Dianne Feinstein, California
Christopher S. Bond, Missouri
Ron Wyden, Oregon
Trent Lott, Mississippi
Evan Bayh, Indiana
Olympia J. Snowe, Maine
Barbara A. Mikulski, Maryland
Chuck Hagel, Nebraska
Russell D. Feingold, Wisconsin
Saxby Chambliss, Georgia

Bill Frist, Tennessee, Ex Officio
Harry Reid, Nevada, Ex Officio
John Warner, Virginia, Ex Officio

2005

Pat Roberts, Kansas
Chairman John D. Rockefeller IV,
West Virginia
Vice Chairman
Orrin G. Hatch, Utah
Carl Levin, Michigan
Mike DeWine, Ohio
Dianne Feinstein, California
Christopher S. Bond, Missouri
Ron Wyden, Oregon
Trent Lott, Mississippi
Evan Bayh, Indiana
Olympia J. Snowe, Maine
Barbara A. Mikulski, Maryland
Chuck Hagel, Nebraska
Jon Corzine, New Jersey
Saxby Chambliss, Georgia

Bill Frist, Tennessee, Ex Officio
Harry Reid, Nevada, Ex Officio
John Warner, Virginia, Ex Officio

2003-2004

Pat Roberts, Kansas
Chairman John D. Rockefeller IV, West Virginia
Vice Chairman
Orrin G. Hatch, Utah
Carl Levin, Michigan
Mike DeWine, Ohio
Dianne Feinstein, California
Christopher S. Bond, Missouri
Ron Wyden, Oregon
Trent Lott, Mississippi
Richard Durbin, Illinois
Olympia J. Snowe, Maine
Evan Bayh, Indiana
Chuck Hagel, Nebraska
John Edwards, North Carolina
Saxby Chambliss, Georgia
Barbara Mikulski, Maryland
John Warner, Virginia

Bill Frist, Tennessee, Ex Officio
Thomas A. Daschle, South Dakota, Ex Officio

2001-2002

Bob Graham, Florida
Chairman Richard C. Shelby, Alabama
Vice Chairman
Carl Levin, Michigan Jon Kyl, Arizona
John D. Rockefeller IV, West Virginia
James M. Inhofe, Oklahoma
Dianne Feinstein, California
Orrin G. Hatch, Utah
Ron Wyden, Oregon
Pat Roberts, Kansas
Richard Durbin, Illinois
Mike DeWine, Ohio
Evan Bayh, Indiana
Fred Thompson, Tennessee
John Edwards, North Carolina
Richard G. Lugar, Indiana
Barbara A. Mikulski, Maryland

Thomas A. Daschle, South Dakota Ex Officio
Trent Lott, Mississippi Ex Officio

csquare · 05-08-2009, 14:30

"Either the speaker has a veracity problem or an incompetence problem and it could be both," Blakeman told FOX News. "The fact of the matter is she was briefed and she was hoping that the top secret nature of these briefings would shield her from this information coming out."

I would lean towards incompetence more and then sprinkle in her factual belief of the truth.

longrange1947 · 05-08-2009, 14:54

I don't care who was briefed. Since ONE was briefed they ALL knew it. Congress can't keep a secret for more than the time it takes to walk/call/text their next friend to show how "In the Know" they are.

Screw them all and their sanctimonious crap. They are now more guilty of spineless weaseling and quibbling then anyone in my lifetime.

Red Flag 1 · 05-08-2009, 15:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by longrange1947

I don't care who was briefed. Since ONE was briefed they ALL knew it. Congress can't keep a secret for more than the time it takes to walk/call/text their next friend to show how "In the Know" they are.

Screw them all and their sanctimonious crap. They are now more guilty of spineless weaseling and quibbling then anyone in my lifetime.

YUP!!!

Also of note, Ret10Echo did not list a party affiliation in his long list....that is as it should be. Spineless crosses all party lines.

My $.02.

RF 1

18DWife · 05-08-2009, 15:15

Am I the only One who gets more and more depressed as each day passes

And Pelosi is a C*%#

Red Flag 1 · 05-08-2009, 15:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by 18DWife

Am I the only One who gets more and more depressed as each day passes

And Pelosi is a C*%#

I limit mysefl to no more than one hour a day of "political" news. More than that, and my critters run away and hide.....including the ones in the fish tank

.

You are not alone 18DWife!

Be well.

RF 1

greenberetTFS · 05-08-2009, 15:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by longrange1947

I don't care who was briefed. Since ONE was briefed they ALL knew it. Congress can't keep a secret for more than the time it takes to walk/call/text their next friend to show how "In the Know" they are.

Screw them all and their sanctimonious crap. They are now more guilty of spineless weaseling and quibbling then anyone in my lifetime.

LR,

How true,how true........

These weasels, as you so called them, and rightfully so are our fearless leaders whether we like it or not.....

How we will ever manage to survive will truly be a miracle...........

GB TFS

Utah Bob · 05-08-2009, 17:03

I saw her denying she was ever told.
Looked just like Bill Clinton in his denial statement.

**Box** · 05-09-2009, 09:41

...its amazing how congress can somehow have knowledge of what bathroom stall another congressmen uses to play with his ding-a-ling, but somehow the fact that they knew about terrorists pulled from the battlefield were being "tortured" seemed to have Completely slipped in under the radar...

greenberetTFS · 05-09-2009, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy L-bach

...its amazing how congress can somehow have knowledge of what bathroom stall another congressmen uses to play with his ding-a-ling, but somehow the fact that they knew about terrorists pulled from the battlefield were being "tortured" seemed to have Completely slipped in under the radar...

Billy,

Your far too soft on them today......

Where's that Billy who would have burned them a new asshole with his hardened heart.......

Your getting to mellow in your recent posts...........

GB TFS

180A · 05-11-2009, 09:05

Pelosi will be voted out and in 2012 we will have a new president. And you are correct, our congress should be tried for treason.

**Box** · 05-11-2009, 19:53

Quote:

Pelosi will be voted out and in 2012 we will have a new president.

I hope you are correct...
...unfortunately I don't have your level of positive thinking. I fear that speaker Pelosi has bought and paid for her seat for as long as she cares to sit in it. I also feel that the momentum of the current spin machine has not even started to show its potential. Under the leadership of the current crop of conservative republicans like Gen (ret) Colin Powell, the democrats could kill the Easter bunny on national TV the evening of 3 Nov 12 and still pull off a win.

I fear we are in for a long hard test of our 'national identity'.
...again from the bottom of my heart I hope you are correct.

Just my 2 cents, I hope I am wrong.