Q:
Did the questioning of al Qaeda leader Abu Zubaydah conform with the interrogation program approved by President Bush? [...]
Ms. Perino:
I will say that all interrogations -- all interrogations have been done within the legal framework that was set out after September 11th...All of the -- the entire program has been legal.
Q:
Are you saying that whatever was done in this case was not torture?
Ms. Perino:
I am saying that the United States does not torture. The President has been -- [...]
Q:
But when you have a former CIA officer, John Kiriakou, now saying that waterboarding was used -- since you're saying the interrogations were legal; he's saying on the record now, waterboarding was used in at least one case. You're saying waterboarding is legal?
Ms. Perino:
Ed, I'm saying I'm not commenting on any specific technique. I'm not commenting on that gentleman's characteristics of any possible technique. I've given you a very general statement about interrogations being legal, limited and --
Q:
You just said it was legal.
Ms. Perino:
I'm sorry?
Q:
You said it was within the legal framework.
Ms. Perino:
Yes.
Q:
Everything that was done.
Ms. Perino:
Yes.
Q:
So waterboarding is legal.
Ms. Perino:
I'm not commenting on any specific techniques.
