Bush supports CIA tapes probe
03/01/2008 21:02  - (SA)  

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Washington - President George W. Bush said on Thursday he strongly supports a Justice Department investigation into the destruction of CIA videotapes of interrogation of terrorism suspects, and that the White House would cooperate.

"I strongly support it. And we will participate," Bush said in a Reuters interview.

It was his first public comment since the Justice Department said on Wednesday it had launched a criminal investigation into the CIA's destruction of videotapes showing harsh interrogation of terrorism suspects.

Asked whether he had any concerns that the probe might raise questions about his counter terrorism policy, Bush replied: "See what it says. See what the investigation leads to."

The Central Intelligence Agency last month disclosed that in 2005 it destroyed hundreds of hours of tapes from the interrogations of two al Qaeda suspects, prompting an outcry from Democrats, human rights activists and some legal experts.

The interrogations, which took place in 2002, were believed to have included a form of simulated drowning known as waterboarding, condemned internationally as torture.

Bush has said the United States does not torture suspects but has declined to be specific about interrogation methods.

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