Comments by Sen. John Warner (R-VA) this afternoon fuel speculation over whether and how the Bush administration pressured JAGs to reverse position on torture, on the eve of a crucial vote — and what his panel intends to do about it.
The Armed Services Committee chairman made the statements after his panel passed his bill to constrain the detention, interrogation and prosecution of terror suspects in U.S. custody, a blow to the White House’s agenda. Emphasis added:
QUESTION: A lot of what you put together is based on testimony by and large from the JAG.WARNER: Yes.
QUESTION: A letter was sent, though, that would seem to be counter to your position.
WARNER: On its face, that is true, but there are further aspects to that letter that the committee needs to explore, and we will do so.
QUESTION: Can you clarify what you mean by that…
WARNER: Beg your pardon?
QUESTION: Can you clarify what you mean by that; “further aspects of the letter that you want to explore”?
WARNER: No. It’s just that a senator has information that needs to be brought to the attention of the committee as it reviews the letter from the JAG.
QUESTION: What is that information?
WARNER: Beg your pardon?
QUESTION: What is that information?
WARNER: Until I get it, I can’t explain it.