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Obama Replaces CIA With Special Interrogators

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 24, 2009 9:06 AM CDT

(Newser) – Barack Obama has ordered the creation of an elite squad that will take over terror interrogations from the CIA, senior officials tell the Washington Post. Dubbed the High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group, or HIG, the unit will be housed with the FBI, but overseen by the White House through the National Security Council. Its director will likely come from the FBI, but the deputy could come from the CIA.

The group was one of the key recommendations to come out of the task force the president created to review Bush’s interrogation and detention policies. The HIG will, as per the group’s recommendations, stick to the guidelines in the Army Field Manual. But the unit will also attempt to develop new techniques, and test old ones to see if they work, as part of a “scientific research program for interrogation.”

President George W. Bush and George J. Tenet, director of the CIA, stop to pose standing on the agency's seal at its Langley, Va., headquarters, March 20, 2001.
President George W. Bush and George J. Tenet, director of the CIA, stop to pose standing on the agency's seal at its Langley, Va., headquarters, March 20, 2001.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
President Barack Obama talks about the the Afghan elections, Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, outside the White House.
President Barack Obama talks about the the Afghan elections, Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, outside the White House.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Barack Obama talks about the the Afghan elections, Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, outside the White House.
President Barack Obama talks about the the Afghan elections, Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, outside the White House.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
This is a 1971 close-up of the seal of the Central Intelligence Agency.
This is a 1971 close-up of the seal of the Central Intelligence Agency.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 12 comments
bahari@bellsouth.net
Aug 24, 2009 6:57 AM CDT
How can this group do any good if they are going to use, directors, etc. from the FBI and CIA
prowlerzee
Aug 24, 2009 5:47 AM CDT
Ooooooo. Elite interrogation. How special! Zerobama has several posts unfilled, but he has time to expand the war on terror! How are the bOneheads liking their hopey-changey now?
Ucantusethatname
Aug 24, 2009 5:46 AM CDT
Now Obamessiah is taking over antiterrorism. Another example of the arrogant misuse of power. If Bush would have taken this action, leftists would still be screaming.

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