Feinstein to Obama: Torture Prosecutions Should Still Be on the Table

Alternet.org
April 21, 2009

In recent days, President Obama has reiterated his pledge to oppose prosecutions of individuals responsible for torture under the Bush administration. However, Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) yesterday wrote to the President and asked him to keep the door open to prosecutions. From the text of the letter, obtained by ThinkProgress:

I am writing to respectfully request that comments regarding holding individuals accountable for detention and interrogation related activities be held in reserve until the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is able to complete its review of the conditions and interrogations of certain high value detainees.

This study is now underway, and I estimate its completion within the next six to eight months. A study of the first two detainees has already been completed and will shortly be before the committee.

Please join our campaign calling on Congress to begin impeachment hearings against Jay Bybee.

Update: The New York Times’ Peter Baker and Scott Shane report that, yesterday, aides to Obama “did not rule out legal sanctions for the Bush lawyers who developed the legal basis for the use of the techniques.”
Report typos and corrections to: feedback@alternet.org.

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