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CIA Tapes Were Made—and Destroyed—for PR

Interrogations filmed to counter mistreatment accusations; stopped when techniques grew harsh, reports NYT

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 30, 2007 1:30 PM CST
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(Newser) – Concern over its image prompted the CIA to first secretly create—and later destroy—tapes depicting the harsh interrogation of detainees, the New York Times reports. In spring 2002 the agency decided to document every moment of senior al-Qaeda operative Abu Zubaydah's custody so that perceptions of mistreatment—by prosecutors, Congress, Americans, and Muslims worldwide—could be countered.

But only months later the taping stopped, as interrogations of prisoners grew ever rougher, eventually including the practice of waterboarding, the Times says. By 2004, after the Abu Ghraib scandal, the tapes began to be seen by elements in the CIA’s clandestine services as a serious threat to the agency’s reputation—and the safety of agents.

This undated handout photo provided by the CIA shows Jose Rodriguez. Former head of the Clandestine Services division, who ordered the destruction of the interrogation tapes. (AP Photo/CIA)
This undated handout photo provided by the CIA shows Jose Rodriguez. Former head of the Clandestine Services division, who ordered the destruction of the interrogation tapes. (AP Photo/CIA)   (Associated Press)
CIA Director Gen. Michael Hayden stops to speak to the media on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007, upon his arrival for a closed-door hearing of the House Select Intelligence Oversight Panel. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
CIA Director Gen. Michael Hayden stops to speak to the media on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007, upon his arrival for a closed-door hearing of the House Select Intelligence Oversight...   (Associated Press)
CIA Director Gen. Michael Hayden speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007, following a closed-door meeting with the House Intelligence Committee on the issue of destroyed CIA interrogation tapes. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)
CIA Director Gen. Michael Hayden speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007, following a closed-door meeting with the House Intelligence Committee on the issue of destroyed...   (Associated Press)
Justice Department attorney Joseph Hunt, right, who presented the government's case regarding the destruction of CIA interrogation tapes, and Deputy Assistant Attorney General Carl Nichols, left, leave federal court in Washington, Friday, Dec. 21, 2007, after a hearing. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)
Justice Department attorney Joseph Hunt, right, who presented the government's case regarding the destruction of CIA interrogation tapes, and Deputy Assistant Attorney General Carl Nichols, left, leave...   (Associated Press)
CIA Director Gen. Michael Hayden, right, prepares to speak with members of the media on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 11,2007, following a closed-door briefing before the Senate Intelligence Committee on the destroyed CIA interrogation tapes. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
CIA Director Gen. Michael Hayden, right, prepares to speak with members of the media on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 11,2007, following a closed-door briefing before the Senate Intelligence...   (Associated Press)
Senate Intelligence Committee staff member Jim Wolfe brings in briefing books for a closed-door briefing with Central Intelligence Director Gen. Michael Hayden before the committee, on the destroyed CIA interrogation tapes, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photos/Susan Walsh)
Senate Intelligence Committee staff member Jim Wolfe brings in briefing books for a closed-door briefing with Central Intelligence Director Gen. Michael Hayden before the committee, on the destroyed CIA...   (Associated Press)
Central Intelligence Agency Director Gen. Michael Hayden walks past a protestor, left, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007, upon his arrival for a closed-door briefing before the Senate Intelligence Committee on the destroyed CIA interrogation tapes. (AP Photos/Susan Walsh)
Central Intelligence Agency Director Gen. Michael Hayden walks past a protestor, left, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007, upon his arrival for a closed-door briefing before the Senate...   (Associated Press)
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COMMENTS
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Tale of the tapes

Let the courts probe the CIA tapes issue
Salt Lake Tribune

The tapes fracas shows how flawed harsh methods are
Boston Globe

Destroying the tapes was a good thing: Tony Blankley
NPR

Helen Thomas: Watergate redux?
Hearst Publications

US

 
CIA • torture • Abu Ghraib • waterboarding • interrogation techniques • interrogations • Abu Zubaydah • CIA videotapes • al-Qaeda

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