CIA Investigated for Destruction of Videotaped Interrogations

By Pamela Mortimer

The White House "Wall of Silence" has been erected once again. Dana Perino, President Bush’s press secretary, has been advised to rebuff specific questions about the destruction of CIA interrogation tapes of terror suspects. Congress is seeking answers.

It has not been decided whether a full investigation is warranted. The Justice Department and the CIA's in-house watchdog committee are conducting a joint inquest into the destruction of videotaped interrogations involving two suspected terrorists. The White House counsel's office has instructed Perino not to go into any detail with reporters while the inquiry is ongoing.

"I think that that's appropriate, and I'll adhere to it," Perino said Monday. The press secretary states that her previous announcement remains accurate. The original statement declared that President Bush has no recall regarding the existence of the videotapes before he was briefed about it last Thursday.

Naturally, reporters called Perino on "the Wall of Silence", which seems to be a typical response to questions regarding any sensitive matters involving the government. Perino addressed the issue in her morning briefing: "I can see where that cynicism that usually drifts from this room could come up in this regard. What I can tell you is I try my best to get you as much information as I can."

Perino also stated that White House counsel has instructed employees safeguard all documents and correspondence related to the affair.

Attorneys for one of the interrogated suspects, Yemeni national Mahmoad Abdah, state that the destruction of the tapes may have violated a June 10, 2005 court order which directed the government to "preserve and maintain all evidence and information regarding the torture, mistreatment, and abuse of detainees". A date for the hearing has not been scheduled.

Congressional leaders are pushing to uncover exactly who knew about the videotapes and if justice was in any way obstructed. Presidential hopefuls in both parties state that the inquiries must resolve the matter and question if anyone in the White House was in the know. There appears to be little support for the appointment of a special prosecutor to promote an investigation.

On Sunday, Republican presidential candidate John McCain voiced his skepticism. "The actions, I think, were absolutely wrong," McCain was a victim of torture while he was held as a war prisoner in Vietnam. "There will be skepticism and cynicism all over the world about how we treat prisoners and whether we practice torture or not."