Interrogation Likely Focus of Hearing
The man nominated to become the general counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency is likely to face questions about interrogation techniques when he goes before a Senate committee today.
John Rizzo, who was acting general counsel of the CIA for most of the last six years, has been nominated for the permanent position. At his confirmation hearing today, Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee have promised tough questions about techniques he approved, the New York Times reports.
Previously Rizzo’s hearing had been postponed as the committee sought additional information about the interrogation and detention of terrorism suspects, according to the Washington Post.
Rizzo is likely to be asked about rough interrogation techniques such as waterboarding, which simulates drowning.
He is also likely to face questions about a pending executive order that will outline what kind of interrogation methods are allowed under a new law allowing resumption of “enhanced interrogation techniques,” the Post reports. The order has resulted in “tense discussions” between the administration and the Senate committee, the newspaper says.
A. B. Krongard, executive director of the C.I.A. from 2001 to 2004, told the Times that Rizzo was careful to get Justice Department approval for the CIA’s methods.
“He did everything possible to get it right,” Krongard said.
