Obama says waterboarding is torture, violates nation’s ideals and values
By APThursday, April 30, 2009
Obama says torture violates nation’s ideals
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is calling waterboarding torture and an act that violates the nation’s ideals and values, and he says that’s why he decided to ban the practice.
Answering questions at a prime-time news conference, Obama said Wednesday the American people will eventually recognize that banning torture enhances the U.S. position worldwide. Obama said the prohibition takes away a recruitment tool for al-Qaida and puts the U.S. in a stronger position with allies.
Obama also said that the argument that torture can yield information doesn’t ask if that information might be obtained in other ways.
The president said that during World War II, as London was under siege, Prime Minister Winston Churchill didn’t allow torture of detainees.
(This version CORRECTS to show Obama saying argument that torture can yield information doesn’t ask if other methods might do so as well.)
