Jose Rodriguez, CIA figure who ordered videos destroyed wants immunity in House [View All]

CIA figure wants immunity in House
Criminal probe of videos cited
January 10, 2008

By MATT APUZZO

ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON -- Attorneys for Jose Rodriguez told Congress that the former CIA official won't testify about the destruction of CIA videos without a promise of immunity, two people close to an inquiry into the case said Wednesday.

Rodriguez, former head of the CIA's National Clandestine Service, ordered the videos destroyed in 2005. He is to testify before the House Intelligence Committee on Jan. 16.


But defense attorney Robert Bennett told lawmakers that he would not let Rodriguez testify because of the criminal investigation into the case. Without a promise of immunity, anything Rodriguez said at the hearing could be used against him in court.

The discussions were described by two people close to the case who spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks were to be private.

The CIA acknowledged that it destroyed videos of officers using tough interrogation methods while questioning two suspected Al Qaeda members. The Bush administration has urged Congress and the courts to stay out of the inquiry while the Justice Department investigates.

U.S. District Judge Henry H. Kennedy agreed Wednesday not to hold hearings. He said the department promised a thorough investigation.

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