Ex-CIA chief denies US uses torture

WASHINGTON: Former CIA director George Tenet on Sunday heatedly denied allegations that US interrogators have used torture to extract information from prisoners in the so-called US war on terror.

The image thatÕs been portrayed is, we sat around the campfire and said, ÔOh, boy, now we go get to torture people.Õ Well, we donÕt torture people. Let me say that again to you. We donÕt torture people. Okay? Tenet told the CBS news show 60 Minutes.

Come on, George, replied interviewer Scott Pelley, who questioned Tenet repeatedly during a tense exchange about accusations of torture, many from terror suspects held at the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. We donÕt torture people, Tenet answered.

Waterboarding? Pelley asked, referring to a process whereby water is continually poured over a detaineeÕs face and mouth, causing a sharp gag reflex.

We do not -I donÕt talk about techniques, Tenet replied.

ItÕs torture, Pelley said.

You call it in the book, Ôenhanced interrogation,Õ Pelley said. IÕm not having a semantic debate with you. IÕm telling you what I believe, Tenet answered.