Politics

Former Ambassadors Say They've Got Concerns About Haspel Heading CIA

Gina Haspel ran a so-called CIA "black site" in Thailand tied to the use of enhanced interrogation techniques.

Former Ambassadors Say They've Got Concerns About Haspel Heading CIA
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Article by Ethan Weston
SMS
May 9, 2018

More than 100 former U.S. ambassadors and other diplomats sent a letter to the Senate to express their "serious concerns" over President Donald Trump's nominee to head the Central Intelligence Agency, Gina Haspel.

The diplomats seem most concerned about Haspel's reported role in the CIA's so-called "black sites" — locations tied to the use of enhanced interrogation techniques. Many of those techniques are considered torture.   

Haspel ran one of those secret sites beginning in 2002. 

The letter urged the senate to reject Haspel if there's evidence she "played a role in torture or other forms of detainee abuse, or the destruction of evidence relating to such activities."

The ambassadors worry that if Haspel is confirmed, authoritarian leaders around the world might see it as a means to justify their own behavior. 

Haspel's confirmation hearing begins Wednesday. She'll meet with the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.