BIDEN CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION OF DESTROYED CIA TAPES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

CONTACT:
Mark Paustenbach/302-428-5427

BIDEN CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION OF DESTROYED CIA TAPES

Wilmington, DE (December 7, 2007) – News reports today indicate that the Central Intelligence Agency in 2005 “destroyed at least two videotapes documenting the interrogation of two Qaeda operatives in the agency’s custody.” The tapes were destroyed “in the midst of Congressional and legal scrutiny about its secret detention program, according to current and former government officials.” [New York Times, 12/7/07]


Sen. Joe Biden issued the following statement:



“This is another troubling example of the Bush administration’s lawless behavior that only serves to undermine our credibility at home and abroad. The administration’s actions also appear to violate federal law. If press reports are true, withholding the videos from the 9/11 Commission and from the court in the Moussaoui case violates federal law. Obstructing justice and making false statements to an official investigation cannot be condoned by our government. The most important thing to do now is gather all the facts. To that end, I am calling for the CIA’s inspector general to look into the matter and get to the bottom of this.



“Second, I urge my colleagues in the Congress to consider and approve the National Security with Justice Act, legislation I proposed that would prohibit the sorts of extreme interrogation techniques that have been reported to be on those videos. The Act also protects the brave men and women of our intelligence services who are on the front lines in the war on terror by providing unambiguous guidance regarding what is permissible under US and international law.



“When we equivocate about torture, we are not only morally wrong, but we undermine our own credibility. We also weaken the international coalitions necessary to effectively combat terrorism, fuel terrorist recruitment, and place American soldiers, intelligence officers, and civilians in jeopardy."


###