Former N.Y. Gov. George Pataki: Investigating Torture Jeopardizes Rule of Law … Or Something « The Washington Independent

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In an interview with the Guardian for the eighth anniversary of 9/11, Pataki criticised current White House policies for sending wrong signals about US intentions around the world. In particular, he attacked the recent decision by the US justice department tolaunch an official investigation into alleged abuses by CIAagents during the interrogation of terror suspects in the aftermath of 9/11.

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“Placing CIA officials who were acting in the aftermath of the worst attacks against our country and civilians in our history in possible criminal jeopardy years after the fact is in my mind a horrible decision. [...]

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“It jeopardises our ability to continue to effectively protect our country against those who hate us and want to attack us again.”

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A prominent Republican, his criticism of the Obama administration’s handling of the CIA interrogation affair reflects thinking widely held within his party. The attorney general Eric Holder has come under sustained fire from the right of US politics for appointing a special prosecutor to look into whether the agency went beyond legal limits in its so-called “enhanced interrogation” of al-Qaida suspects.

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Pataki’s role on 9/11 gives his views added resonance.** “We must make sure we obey the rule of law and act in ways that are not just legal but moral,” he said, but continued: “But now, years after the fact, to consider charges is wrong for our country, wrong for our security and wrong for the entire world that believes in the rule of law.” [Emphasis added.]