CIA

Government lags in releasing 50-year-old records on JFK assassination

Government agencies in control of the records of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination are less than forthcoming in their stance on releasing the 50,000 pages of documents. To date, writes Russ Baker for Business Insider, there have been no creditable explanations for withholding the documents. -db From a commentary for Business Insider, May 31, 2012, by Russ Baker. Full story      

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Declassification of U.S. government records slows in 2011

The Information Security Oversight Office found that for 2011 the number of government records declassified had declined from the previous year. The review process is under study and holds promise for improving declassification. -db From Secrecy News, May 29, 2012 by Steven Aftergood. Full story  

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ACLU appeals to Guantanamo commission to allow defendants to testify about torture

The American Civil Liberties Union has asked the Guantanamo Bay military commission to allow defendants to give details of their detention and treatment at the hands of the CIA and the military. The government claims that any testimony and the CIA’s interrogation would be classified and not for public dissemination. Defendants are scheduled to appear May 5 to hear charges. -db From a press release by the American Civil Liberties Union, May 3, 2012. Full

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Opinion: U.S. should release report on torture after 9/11

The people should know how torture or “enhanced interrogation” became the policy of the United States in the fight against terrorism and its effectiveness, argues a Los Angeles Times editorial. Former government officials and U.S. lawmakers differ in opinion about the effectiveness of the policy, and the people should have the information needed to determine how they stand on the issue. -db From an editorial in the Los Angeles Times, April 27, 2012. Full editorial

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Federal judge backs Obama in his refusal to release bin Laden photos

President Barack Obama won a battle in federal court this week when the judge rejected a request from Judicial Watch to force the administration to release photos and video of the operation that killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan last year. The judge refused to overrule the CIA  and Defense Department in its claim that the records would bring national security risks. -db From Reuters, April 26, 2012, by Jeremy Pelofsky and James Vicini. Full

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