Menu
09/11/2010
Waterboarding 'Saved British Lives': Bush
Former US President George W. Bush has claimed that information obtained from terrorists using the controversial technique of 'waterboarding' helped to save British lives.
In his memoirs, Mr Bush said that the use of the technique, which simulates drowning, resulted in information which was used to help foil plots to attack Heathrow and Canary Wharf.
The former President's memoirs, entitled Decision Points, is being serialised in The Times. In an interview with the paper, Mr Bush said that waterboarding had been used on three people and said: "I believe that decision saved lives".
He confirmed that the technique had been used to extract information from Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the Al-Qaeda mastermind behind the 9/11 terror attacks. The technique was used on him by CIA agents following his capture in Pakistan in 2003.
In Decision Points, Mr Bush said: "Their interrogations helped break up plots to attack American diplomatic facilities abroad, Heathrow airport and Canary Wharf in London and multiple targets in the United States."
The British Government has said that it is strongly opposed to the use of waterboarding, regarding it as torture. Last month, the Head of MI6, John Sawers, said that the service had "nothing whatsoever" to do with torture, describing it as "illegal and abhorrent".
In the Times interview, Mr Bush also described his close relationship with Tony Blair and said that he offered the former Prime Minister the opportunity to opt out of sending British troops to Iraq, when he was facing a vote of no confidence in Parliament, prior to the war. He said: "Rather than lose the Government, I would much rather have Tony and his wisdom and his strategic thinking as the Prime Minister of a strong and important ally." However, he said that Mr Blair responded: "I'm in. If it costs the Government, fine."
Speaking about the public feeling in Britain towards the Iraq War, Mr Bush said: "It doesn't matter how people perceive me in England. It just doesn't matter any more. And franky, at times, it didn't matter then."
The former President also admitted that he was shocked that no weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq, but he defended his decision to invade the country, arguing that Iraqi citizens were better off without the country's former leader Saddam Hussein.
(KMcA/BMcC)
In his memoirs, Mr Bush said that the use of the technique, which simulates drowning, resulted in information which was used to help foil plots to attack Heathrow and Canary Wharf.
The former President's memoirs, entitled Decision Points, is being serialised in The Times. In an interview with the paper, Mr Bush said that waterboarding had been used on three people and said: "I believe that decision saved lives".
He confirmed that the technique had been used to extract information from Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the Al-Qaeda mastermind behind the 9/11 terror attacks. The technique was used on him by CIA agents following his capture in Pakistan in 2003.
In Decision Points, Mr Bush said: "Their interrogations helped break up plots to attack American diplomatic facilities abroad, Heathrow airport and Canary Wharf in London and multiple targets in the United States."
The British Government has said that it is strongly opposed to the use of waterboarding, regarding it as torture. Last month, the Head of MI6, John Sawers, said that the service had "nothing whatsoever" to do with torture, describing it as "illegal and abhorrent".
In the Times interview, Mr Bush also described his close relationship with Tony Blair and said that he offered the former Prime Minister the opportunity to opt out of sending British troops to Iraq, when he was facing a vote of no confidence in Parliament, prior to the war. He said: "Rather than lose the Government, I would much rather have Tony and his wisdom and his strategic thinking as the Prime Minister of a strong and important ally." However, he said that Mr Blair responded: "I'm in. If it costs the Government, fine."
Speaking about the public feeling in Britain towards the Iraq War, Mr Bush said: "It doesn't matter how people perceive me in England. It just doesn't matter any more. And franky, at times, it didn't matter then."
The former President also admitted that he was shocked that no weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq, but he defended his decision to invade the country, arguing that Iraqi citizens were better off without the country's former leader Saddam Hussein.
(KMcA/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 July 2005
World leaders unite in condemnation of London attacks
World leaders attending the G8 summit at Gleneagles have united in condemnation of the terror attacks in London on Thursday morning. Prime Minister Tony Blair read a joint statement from the leaders before he left the summit to return to the capital. The statement said: “We condemn utterly these barbaric attacks.
World leaders unite in condemnation of London attacks
World leaders attending the G8 summit at Gleneagles have united in condemnation of the terror attacks in London on Thursday morning. Prime Minister Tony Blair read a joint statement from the leaders before he left the summit to return to the capital. The statement said: “We condemn utterly these barbaric attacks.
11 April 2003
Blair and Bush broadcast Iraqi freedom message
British Prime Minister Tony Blair has told the people of Iraq that a “new and better future beckons” for their country. Mr Blair's message was carried via 'Towards Freedom TV', which was broadcast with Arabic subtitles direct to the people of Iraq from an airborne transmitter flying over Baghdad.
Blair and Bush broadcast Iraqi freedom message
British Prime Minister Tony Blair has told the people of Iraq that a “new and better future beckons” for their country. Mr Blair's message was carried via 'Towards Freedom TV', which was broadcast with Arabic subtitles direct to the people of Iraq from an airborne transmitter flying over Baghdad.
27 April 2004
Text of former senior diplomats' letter to Mr Blair
[The complete text of the letter from 52 former senior British diplomats to Prime Minister Tony Blair:] Dear Prime Minister, We the undersigned former British ambassadors, high commissioners, governors and senior international officials, including some who have long experience of the Middle East and others whose experience is elsewhere, have watche
Text of former senior diplomats' letter to Mr Blair
[The complete text of the letter from 52 former senior British diplomats to Prime Minister Tony Blair:] Dear Prime Minister, We the undersigned former British ambassadors, high commissioners, governors and senior international officials, including some who have long experience of the Middle East and others whose experience is elsewhere, have watche
20 August 2008
BMJ Study Aims For Long-Term Relief From Back Pain
Specialised instruction may be the answer for the UK's back pain sufferers. Alexander technique lessons in combination with an exercise programme offer long-term effective treatment for chronic back pain, according to a study published on BMJ.com today.
BMJ Study Aims For Long-Term Relief From Back Pain
Specialised instruction may be the answer for the UK's back pain sufferers. Alexander technique lessons in combination with an exercise programme offer long-term effective treatment for chronic back pain, according to a study published on BMJ.com today.
01 August 2005
London bomb suspect has ‘no links’ to terror groups
The suspect arrested in Rome in connection with the failed bomb attacks in London on July 21 has no links to large international terrorist organisations, according to Italian police.
London bomb suspect has ‘no links’ to terror groups
The suspect arrested in Rome in connection with the failed bomb attacks in London on July 21 has no links to large international terrorist organisations, according to Italian police.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
