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Donald Trump softens stance on torture after TV outburst | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
US Republican front-runner Donald Trump has softened his stance on torture, saying he would not order the military to break international law. | |
Mr Trump had indicated in a TV debate on Thursday he might order troops to carry out water-boarding "and tougher" on terrorism suspects. | |
On Friday, he said "as president I will be bound by laws". | |
The US has now banned water-boarding and it is widely considered a form of torture. | |
Water-boarding is the practice of pouring water over someone's face to mimic drowning as an interrogation tactic. | |
Katty Kay: Europe hates Trump | Katty Kay: Europe hates Trump |
US election 2016: Super Tuesday results | US election 2016: Super Tuesday results |
The legal classification of water-boarding is not clear, although many human rights and legal experts as well as politicians regard it as torture. | |
It became debated in the US after the administration of George W Bush said legal counsel allowed it to be used in the interrogation of suspects. However, the practice was later halted. | |
In the Fox News TV debate for Republican hopefuls on Thursday, Mr Trump said: "Can you imagine? Can you imagine these people, these animals over in the Middle East, that chop off heads, sitting around talking and seeing that we're having a hard problem with water-boarding? | |
"We should go for water-boarding and we should go tougher than water-boarding," | |
When asked what he would do if troops refused to carry out the procedure, he said: "They won't refuse. They're not going to refuse me. Believe me." | |
But on Friday he issued a much softer statement, saying he would use "every legal power" to stop terrorists. | |
"I do, however, understand that the United States is bound by laws and treaties and I will not order our military or other officials to violate those laws and will seek their advice on such matters. | |
"I will not order a military officer to disobey the law." | |
Conference abandoned | |
Earlier on Friday, Mr Trump dropped out of a major conservative political conference, opting instead to campaign in Kansas and Florida. | |
He was scheduled to speak on Saturday at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), a gathering of conservative activists in Maryland. | |
Organisers CPAC tweeted: "Very disappointed Donald Trump has decided at the last minute to drop out of CPAC - his choice sends a clear message to conservatives." | |
His fellow Republican presidential candidates are all expected to speak. | |
The statement said Mr Trump looked forward to attending next year, "hopefully as president of the United States". | |
The decision could further damage an already-strained relationship with the Republican party establishment. | The decision could further damage an already-strained relationship with the Republican party establishment. |
Mr Trump was attacked on Thursday by former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who remains a central figure within the party. | Mr Trump was attacked on Thursday by former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who remains a central figure within the party. |
Mr Romney called the businessman a "phony" and a "fraud" and said his controversial policies threatened to make the world less safe. | Mr Romney called the businessman a "phony" and a "fraud" and said his controversial policies threatened to make the world less safe. |
At the TV debate, Mr Trump also came under attack from Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, who criticised him for changing his position on various issues. | |
Mr Trump admitted he had changed his stance on issues but argued that flexibility was a strength. | Mr Trump admitted he had changed his stance on issues but argued that flexibility was a strength. |
Republicans in four states - Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana and Maine - go to the polls on Saturday. The billionaire has won 10 of the 15 states that have voted so far, with his promise to "make America great again". | Republicans in four states - Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana and Maine - go to the polls on Saturday. The billionaire has won 10 of the 15 states that have voted so far, with his promise to "make America great again". |
Election calendar: Next races | Election calendar: Next races |
5 March: Kansas caucuses, Louisiana primary, Kentucky and Maine caucuses (Republican), Nebraska caucuses (Democratic) | 5 March: Kansas caucuses, Louisiana primary, Kentucky and Maine caucuses (Republican), Nebraska caucuses (Democratic) |
6 March: Maine caucuses (Democratic) | 6 March: Maine caucuses (Democratic) |
8 March: Hawaii and Idaho caucuses (Republican), Idaho primary (Republican), Michigan and Mississippi primaries | 8 March: Hawaii and Idaho caucuses (Republican), Idaho primary (Republican), Michigan and Mississippi primaries |
15 March: Florida, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio primaries | 15 March: Florida, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio primaries |
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