White House Slams NYT for 'Misleading' CIA Story

Disputes its officials were in on destruction
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 19, 2007 3:34 PM CST
White House Slams NYT for 'Misleading' CIA Story
CIA Director Gen. Michael Hayden speaks at the Intelligence and National Security Alliance in Washington, in this Sept. 18, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke, File)   (Associated Press)

The Bush administration refuted a New York Times story today that White House lawyers discussed with the CIA whether or not to destroy detainee interrogation videotapes, CNN reports. "The New York Times' inference that there is an effort to mislead in this matter is pernicious and troubling," a White House statement reads; its no-comment stance on the story's underlying facts continued.

The White House also demanded that the paper correct a sub-headline reading, "White House Role Was Wider Than It Said." Sources told the Times that none of the four White House lawyers—including counsel Alberto Gonzales, who later became US Attorney General—told CIA officials to preserve the tapes of suspected terrorists being subjected to harsh interrogation techniques. (More CIA videotapes stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X