How ABC Interview Tilted Torture Debate

Coming in From the Cold: CIA Spy Calls Waterboarding Necessary But Torture

Former Agent Says the Enhanced Technique Was Used on Al Qaeda Chief Abu Zubaydah

In a statement, the CIA reiterated its long standing position that "the United States does not conduct or condone torture. The CIA's terrorist interrogation effort has always been small, carefully run, lawful and highly productive."
UPDATE: U.S. Government documents released in April 2009 indicate that Kiriakou's account that Abu Zubaydah broke after only one water boarding session was incorrect. According to a footnote in newly released, previously classified "Top Secret" memos, the CIA used the water board "at least 83 times during August 2002 in the interrogation of Zubaydah."
Following the release of the documents, Kiriakou said: "When I spoke to ABC News in December 2007 I was aware of Abu Zubaydah being water boarded on one occasion. It was after this one occasion that he revealed information related to a planned terrorist attack. As I said in the original interview, my information was second-hand. I never participated in the use of enhanced techniques on Abu Zubaydah or on any other prisoner, nor did I witness the use of such techniques." LinkHere

This story has been updated (see endnote).

Former CIA Agent Speaks Out, Part 1
Former CIA Agent Speaks Out, Part 2
Former CIA Agent Speaks Out, Part 3
Former CIA Agent Speaks Out, Part 4
Former CIA Agent Speaks Out, Part 5
Former CIA Agent Speaks Out, Part 6
Former CIA Agent Speaks Out, Part 7
Former CIA Agent Speaks Out, Part 8
Former CIA Agent Speaks Out, Part 9
Former CIA Agent Speaks Out, Part 10