Former VP Cheney defends practice of waterboarding

[August 31, 2011]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Former Vice President Dick Cheney says there's no contradiction in advocating harsh interrogation tactics against suspected U.S. enemies and opposing those practices when used against American citizens.

Cheney was asked about a hypothetical case in which Iran would decide to use waterboarding on an American suspected of spying.

Cheney replies, "I think we would object on the grounds that we have obligations to our citizens."

Cheney, who is promoting his new memoir "In My Time," has been associated with waterboarding, considered by many to be torture. Asked on NBC's "Today" show if he was embracing a double-standard, he said, "These are not American citizens."

In the interview that aired Tuesday morning, Cheney also conceded he'd been a lightning rod for criticism during the Bush administration. "I'm Darth Vader," he said.

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Online:

http://on.today.com/oYhjaC

[Associated Press]

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