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Gonzales: Holder's CIA Probe 'Legitimate'

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 1, 2009 4:07 PM CDT

(Newser) – Bush Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is on the same page as Eric Holder when it comes to investigating allegations of CIA torture. “As chief prosecutor of the United States, he should make the decision on his own, based on the facts,” he tells the Washington Times. Gonzales, who's taken much heat for his role in sanctioning harsh interrogations, says he and his lawyers "worked very hard to set up ground rules." If people went beyond them, "I think it is legitimate to question and examine that conduct."

Though Gonzales supports the inquiry, he believes it will affect only “1% of actors” and not the other 99% who “are heroes and should be treated like heroes for the most part, not criminals.” Despite his understanding of the probe, Gonzales says he has already seen its “chilling effect” on the CIA. “People are scared about taking actions that might be legal but in any way controversial. They're just not going to do it.”

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

Former US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales in 2007. (AP Photo)

Attorney General Eric Holder. (AP Photo)

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I think it is legitimate to question and examine that conduct to ensure people are held accountable for their actions, even if it's action in prosecuting the war on terror. - Former AG Alberto Gonzales

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 15 comments

AmericaPrevails

Sep 2, 2009 10:27 AM CDT

Gonzales is completely correct, I agree with his position on the probe. I think that there are a large number of men and women who have kept this country safe as a result of some of the treatment that was given to the terrorists at Guantanamo bay. There are also some who overstepped their bounds.. but those who did not should not be punished for what they have done in the interest of national security.Your warring against a group of people who hate this country to the core and want to see it burn to the ground.. where would you start? Give them a glass of milk and some cookies and tell them when they are ready to talk, so are you?

bewilderbeast

Sep 2, 2009 9:24 AM CDT

timeandagain, what you don't realise is this lawlessness will be turned against YOU (I'm assuming you're a decent citizen, not a billionaire donor). Rule of law MUST reign supreme - even when it's irritating. No decent soldier or agent needs lawlessness to do his job. Lawlessness is what we fight against.

Mad

Sep 2, 2009 6:47 AM CDT

'We' killed prisoners while interrogating them. So 'we' are no different.

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Politics • Crime & Courts • US

Bush administration • torture • Alberto Gonzales • terrorism • Eric Holder • enhanced interrogation techniques • Central Intelligence Agency • CIA memos

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