WASHINGTON: The US Senate will release a long-delayed report today into the CIA’s brutal interrogation of Al Qaeda suspects following the 2001 attacks, as American interests abroad take precautions ahead of a possible backlash.
White House officials confirmed yesterday they expect the report to be published, even though US Secretary of State John Kerry warned late last week about the impact it could have around the world.
While heavily redacted, the report is expected to be a damning indictment of a secret programme under the previous administration of former president George W Bush to question dozens of detainees.
Since coming to office in 2009, President Barack Obama has sought to distance the United States from the previous programme and outlawed harsh interrogation techniques which he has denounced as “torture.”
“We have heard from the committee that they do intend to release the report tomorrow,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters.
“Prudent steps” had been taken to reinforce security at US facilities and diplomatic missions abroad in case the report, much of which has already been leaked, triggers anger, he added.
“That said, the administration strongly supports the release of this declassified summary of the report,” Earnest said.
The report is understood to cover the treatment of around 100 terror suspects rounded up by US operatives. AFP
