C.I.A. Document Details Destruction of Tapes, Approved By Porter Goss

[babylonsister]

C.I.A. Document Details Destruction of Tapes
By MARK MAZZETTI
Published: April 15, 2010


WASHINGTON — Porter J. Goss, the former director of the Central Intelligence Agency, in 2005 approved of the decision by one of his top aides to destroy dozens of videotapes documenting the brutal interrogation of two detainees, according to an internal C.I.A. document released Thursday.

Shortly after the tapes were destroyed at the order of Jose A. Rodriguez Jr., then the head of the C.I.A.’s clandestine service, Mr. Goss told Mr. Rodriguez that he “agreed” with the decision, according to the document. He even joked after Mr. Rodriguez offered to “take the heat” for destroying the tapes.

“PG laughed and said that actually, it would be he, PG, who would take the heat,” according to one document, an internal C.I.A. e-mail message.

According to current and former intelligence officials, Mr. Goss did not approve the destruction before it happened, and was displeased that Mr. Rodriguez did not consult him or the C.I.A.’s top lawyer before giving the order for the tapes to be destroyed.

It was previously known that Mr. Goss had been told by his aides in November 2005 that the tapes had been destroyed. But a number of documents released Thursday provide the most detailed glimpse yet of the deliberations inside the C.I.A. surrounding the destroyed tapes, and of the concern among officials at the spy agency that the decision might put the C.I.A. in legal jeopardy.

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/16/us/16tapes.html?hp

[annabanana]

1. It's a wonder they aren't tripping over all the smoking guns lying around

on the floor over there. . .

[babylonsister]

3. I hear you. I always enjoy when a good story about the previous admin

reaches us. One of these days, I hope someone actually gets punished. Not holding breath...

[malaise]

6. +1

There will be justice one day

[KoKo]

4. That might be the method. Release the info, knowing nothing

will be done about it. Dems won't start investigations just like the Repugs refused to.

[Echo In Light]

5. Amazing that after a decade of a brazenly criminal govt no action is ever taken ...

... over any in a very long list of crimes, atrocities and cover ups

[Syrinx]

2. k&r

I wish these fuckers would get what's coming to them.

[babylonsister]

7. I still have hope that one day they will. Hey, I'm an optimist. nt