[JURIST] CIA interrogators strictly obey torture laws when trying to obtain information from prisoners, according to CIA Director Porter Goss [CIA profile]. In an interview published Monday, Goss told USA Today that the CIA employs "lawful capabilities to collect vital information and we do it in a variety of unique and innovative ways, all of which are legal and none of which are torture." Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) [official website] has proposed legislation [JURIST document] to outlaw the torture and cruel or inhumane treatment of US prisoners whereas Vice President Dick Cheney [official website], recently dubbed a "Vice President for torture" [JURIST report] by a former CIA head, wants Congress to exempt the CIA from such legislation. Despite support for the anti-torture amendment from US senators [JURIST report], the White House has threatened to veto the provision [JURIST report]. Goss said that techniques that would be restricted under the proposed McCain legislation include those that have been used by the CIA to obtain valuable intelligence. The White House and senators are currently discussing the proposed torture ban [JURIST report], but are struggling to reach a consensus. Goss declined to discuss allegations of CIA-run secret prison camps [JURIST report]. Reuters has more.

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