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CIA nominee John Brennan faces Senate hearing CIA nominee John Brennan faces Senate hearing
(about 2 hours later)
The top White House counter-terrorism adviser John Brennan is facing questions at a Senate confirmation hearing to become CIA director. CIA director nominee John Brennan has defended the US drone-strikes programme at a Senate confirmation hearing.
The session comes as lawmakers were to receive secret papers setting out the rationale for drone strikes on Americans working with al-Qaeda abroad. Mr Brennan said the US only took such action as a last resort and was careful to prevent civilian deaths.
Members of President Barack Obama's own Democratic party are concerned about Mr Brennan's role in US drone policy. The hearing was repeatedly interrupted by protesters as the nominee began to deliver his testimony.
He was a top CIA official under President George W Bush. The session comes after lawmakers were to receive secret memos on the rationale for drone strikes on Americans working with al-Qaeda abroad.
As the nominee began to deliver his testimony on Thursday, he was interrupted several times by protesters, prompting committee chair Senator Dianne Feinstein to order a recess. Mr Brennan, 57, who is President Barack Obama's top White House counter-terrorism adviser, was a top CIA official under President George W Bush.
One of the demonstrators held a sign saying "Brennan = Drone Killing".
Mr Brennan, 57, is likely to face questions about his position on harsh interrogation techniques, such as waterboarding, that were used by the CIA while he was a senior official there.
'Significant concerns''Significant concerns'
Correspondents say that despite these concerns there has been no suggestion that members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence object to Mr Brennan's nomination. As he began to deliver his prepared remarks on Thursday, he was interrupted several times by protesters, prompting committee chair Senator Dianne Feinstein to order a recess.
We know that that Senate intelligence committee is deeply frustrated at its lack of, well, intelligence. And we know that several senators are very concerned about leaks.
The protestors who interrupted the opening of the hearing served a purpose for John Brennan. They misunderstood, he said, the care we take on the drone programme.
Mr Brennan spoke clearly and often with vigour. Even so, he ducked and weaved at times, leading to the accusation of stonewalling from Senator Ron Wyden. Had "enhanced interrogation" techniques led to the capture of Osama Bin Laden? Back came a long answer that really didn't address the question.
He said "enhanced interrogation", i.e. waterboarding and sleep deprivation, was something that he had objected to in private at the time, though back in 2007 he had said it saved lives. Now, in the light of a Senate Democrats' report, he wasn't so sure.
"At this point, senator," he said, "I don't know what the truth is."
One of the demonstrators held a sign saying "Brennan = Drone Killing".
During later questions, Mr Brennan said some Americans believe that strikes are used to punish for past transgressions.
"Nothing could be further from the truth," he said. "We only take such actions as a last resort to save lives when there's no other alternative to taking an action that's going to mitigate that threat."
Correspondents say there has been no suggestion that members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence object to Mr Brennan's nomination.
He is expected to be confirmed by the panel and later by the full Senate.He is expected to be confirmed by the panel and later by the full Senate.
A vote to confirm former Republican Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel as secretary of defence has been delayed amid opposition from some members of his own party.
Mr Brennan could face tough questions from Senator Ron Wyden, a Democratic member of the panel, who has vowed to press the nominee on drones.
Sen Wyden told MSNBC: "To make very clear, I am going to push for more declassification of these key kinds of [drone] programmes, and I think we can do that consistent with national security."
On the eve of Thursday's hearing, the committee released Mr Brennan's answers to some preliminary questions.On the eve of Thursday's hearing, the committee released Mr Brennan's answers to some preliminary questions.
Mr Brennan said he "had significant concerns and personal objections" about extreme interrogation techniques used by the CIA, adding he was "aware of the program but did not play a role in its creation, execution or oversight".Mr Brennan said he "had significant concerns and personal objections" about extreme interrogation techniques used by the CIA, adding he was "aware of the program but did not play a role in its creation, execution or oversight".
On drones, Mr Brennan said no new legislation was necessary for the US to conduct operations against al-Qaeda anywhere in the world. On drones, Mr Brennan acknowledged "instances when, regrettably and despite our best efforts, civilians have been killed".
He said individuals were targeted for killing "on a case-by-case basis through a co-ordinated interagency process" involving intelligence, military, diplomatic and other agencies.
He also acknowledged "instances when, regrettably and despite our best efforts, civilians have been killed".
"It is exceedingly rare, and much rarer than many allege," he added."It is exceedingly rare, and much rarer than many allege," he added.
Drone programme 'logical'Drone programme 'logical'
Mr Brennan's hearing comes a day after the Department of Justice sent Congress documents laying out the legal rationale for targeting and killing US citizens who are suspected of working with terror groups. Mr Brennan's hearing comes a day after the Department of Justice agreed to send Congress documents laying out the legal rationale for targeting and killing US citizens who are suspected of working with terror groups.
Senator Feinstein, who chairs the Senate committee, said: "It is critical for the committee's oversight function to fully understand the legal basis for all intelligence and counterterrorism operations."Senator Feinstein, who chairs the Senate committee, said: "It is critical for the committee's oversight function to fully understand the legal basis for all intelligence and counterterrorism operations."
The justice department acted after NBC News published a leaked internal memo explaining some of the legal arguments.The justice department acted after NBC News published a leaked internal memo explaining some of the legal arguments.
Mr Brennan is believed to have been deeply involved.
The CIA has carried out drone strikes in Yemen, where three American citizens linked to al-Qaeda have been killed: Anwar al-Awlaki, his 16-year-old-son and Samir Khan.The CIA has carried out drone strikes in Yemen, where three American citizens linked to al-Qaeda have been killed: Anwar al-Awlaki, his 16-year-old-son and Samir Khan.
Recent opinion polls have suggested that the US public generally supports the drone programme, especially when compared with the possibility of ground assault.Recent opinion polls have suggested that the US public generally supports the drone programme, especially when compared with the possibility of ground assault.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who has opposed the appointment of Mr Hagel as defence secretary, said: "The drone programme to me is a logical use of how you deal with an enemy combatant."
Mr Brennan was considered for the top post at the intelligence agency in 2008.Mr Brennan was considered for the top post at the intelligence agency in 2008.
But he withdrew his name from consideration amid protests over public statements he made on the CIA's use of "enhanced interrogation techniques" such as waterboarding, which are viewed by many as torture.But he withdrew his name from consideration amid protests over public statements he made on the CIA's use of "enhanced interrogation techniques" such as waterboarding, which are viewed by many as torture.