The U.K. Telegraph, which published some of the worst neocon Iraq War propaganda by Con Coughlin, is now openly lobbying for George Bush to pardon those who carried out the torture Bush himself authorized.

George W Bush could pardon spies involved in torture

George W Bush is considering issuing pardons for US spies embroiled in allegations of torture just before he leaves the White House.

By Tim Shipman in Washington

Senior intelligence officers are lobbying the outgoing president to look after the men and women who could face charges for following his orders in the war on terrorism.

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Following his orders? Bush repeatedly said "We do not torture." Did he give orders to torture or not? If he didn't, why do torturers need to be pardoned? If he did, shouldn't he resign and turn himself in for prosecution?

Many fear that Barack Obama, who has pledged to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp and put an end to the policy of extraordinary rendition, could launch a legal witch hunt against those who oversaw the policies after he is sworn in on Jan 20.

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Congressional committees and investigative reporters have gone to great lengths to identify the truly guilty parties, even though the Bush Administration has blocked all investigations. Does the Telegraph believe a fair and impartial investigation is indistinguishable from a "legal witch hunt"?

Most vulnerable are US intelligence officers who took part in intensive interrogations against terrorist suspects, using techniques including water boarding, which many believe crossed the line into torture.

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So now the torturers think waterboarding is torture? Why didn't they figure that out before they engaged in waterboarding - and refuse to do it?

A former CIA officer familiar with the backstage lobbying for pardons, said: "These are the people President Bush asked to fight the war on terror for him. He gave them the green light to fight tough. The view of many in the intelligence community is that he should not leave them vulnerable to legal censure when he leaves.

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If the torturers don't want to take the fall for Bush, then they should demand that Bush (and Cheney and everyone else who authorized torture) take the fall for themselves. That's what true Patriots would do - not beg for pardons.

"An effort is under way to get pre-emptive pardons. The White House has indicated that the matter is under consideration."

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This is the first report that Bush is considering pardoning torturers. Isn't this something the White House Press Corpse should ask the White House Spokesliar about?

In addition to frontline CIA and military officers, others at risk could include David Addington, Dick Cheney's former counsel, and William Haynes, the former Pentagon general counsel who helped draw up the regulations governing enhanced interrogations.

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And don't forget their too - Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld.

Some conservatives argue that if Mr Bush were to issue pardons to protect those who took part in his administration's security regime, it would make it easier for the incoming administration to find out exactly what went on, the goal of many who want to prevent repetition of what they view as abuses.

The ex-CIA official said: "If you want people to tell the truth, the best way would be to give them legal guarantees. A pardon is not the only way you can do that, but if Bush does it, it will save Obama the political problem he would have if he offered people immunity later."

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If Bush or Obama want "the truth,"(*)they only need to ask the torturers. If they refuse to answer their President, they can be fired or charged with obstruction of justice. Why would the torturers want to rot in jail to protect Bush and his underlings?

But critics say such a move would be a disgrace. James Ross, legal and policy director for Human Rights Watch, said: "It would be the first pre-emptive pardon in US history for war crimes. Such a pardon might seek to protect low-level government officials who relied on legally dubious Justice Department memos on interrogations.

"But it would also provide blanket immunity to senior administration officials who bear criminal responsibility for their role in drafting, orchestrating and implementing a US government torture programme."

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Exactly. Sign our petition to Stop Bush's Pardons!



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