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CIA director nominee Panetta pledges agency will 'perform according to law'

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] Nominee for director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Leon Panetta testified Thursday before the US Senate Intelligence Committee that he would perform his duties according to the law while upholding the Constitution. Panetta said:I believe the Director should be responsible for shaping the role of CIA in the twenty-first century to protect this nation, to provide credible and accurate intelligence to policy makers, to undertake those missions that will enhance our security, and to always perform our responsibilities according to the law and our Constitution.Panetta also promised to build a strong relationship between the CIA and Congress. After several hours of questioning, the committee recessed and will reconvene Friday morning at 10:00 AM. President Barack Obama nominated Panetta to lead the CIA last month. Panetta has served as a Congressman, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director, and White House Chief of Staff. Panetta will replace current CIA director Michael Hayden, who has agreed to stay on and cooperate fully until the transition is complete. Last month, Admiral Dennis Blair, nominated by Obama for Director of National Intelligence, stressed his respect for civil liberties and lawfulness in intelligence investigations during testimony before the Intelligence Committee.4:45 PM ET - In questioning late this afternoon, Panetta said that the CIA will not conduct the same type of extraordinary rendition seen under the Bush administration. Panetta also testified that he does not believe interrogators should be prosecuted for harsh interrogation techniques used during the Bush administration and that he is open to using more aggressive interrogation techniques than those previously authorized by Obama.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on February 05, 2009 (boomark / email).