U.S. President Barack Obama says there will be no charges filed against Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officials who used harsh interrogation techniques on terrorism suspects during the Bush administration.
Mr. Obama issued a statement Thursday, saying "this is a time for reflection, not retribution." He praised those who "courageously" work in the intelligence community and said their identities would be protected. The president offered the reassurances as he approved the release of four government memos written during the Bush administration.
The memos detail harsh interrogation methods such as sleep deprivation, pushing a detainee, and water-boarding --also known as simulated drowning. Mr. Obama said he approved the release of the memos because he has already ended the use of such tactics through an Executive Order. The president said the interrogation methods undermine "our moral authority and do not make us safer."