Memos could be released
Memos could be released
WASHINGTON — Dozens of secret documents justifying the Bush administration’s spying and interrogation programs could see the light of day because of a new presidential directive.
The American Civil Liberties Union asked the Obama administration Wednesday to release Justice Department memos that provided the legal underpinning for harsh interrogations, eavesdropping and secret prisons.
For years, the Bush administration refused to release them, citing national security, attorney-client privilege and the need to protect the government’s deliberative process.
The ACLU’s request, however, comes after President Barack Obama last week rescinded a 2001 Justice Department memo that gave agencies broad legal cover to reject public disclosure requests. Obama also urged agencies to be more transparent when deciding what documents to release under the Freedom of Information Act.
Blagojevich to speak
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich will leave Chicago as a governor this morning. He may come home just an average citizen.
Blagojevich plans to fly to Springfield and address the Senate before the final vote in his impeachment trial. Even Blagojevich predicts he’ll be convicted, costing him his job and all the perks of being governor.
A buzz swept through the Senate chambers Wednesday when Senate President John Cullerton announced that Blagojevich wanted to speak at the trial, which he has boycotted so far.
The prosecution rested its case Wednesday, the third day of an unprecedented trial on whether Blagojevich has abused his power.
GOP amendment rejected
WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans fell short Wednesday in their effort to limit the expansion of a government health insurance program for lower-income children.
Republicans tried several times to amend a Democratic-led bill that would renew the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.
They were soundly defeated each time, including when they offered a substitute proposal to extend health coverage to about 2 million uninsured children, or roughly half the number that Democrats seek to cover.
The Senate rejected that amendment, 65-32.
Early voting in Iraq
BAGHDAD — Soldiers, hospital patients and even prisoners filled ballot boxes Wednesday in special early voting for provincial elections that will be a test for Iraqi forces trying to prevent violence and could set up future political showdowns for Iraq’s leadership.
A smooth election could encourage supporters of a fast-paced withdrawal of U.S. combat troops by next year, but any major irregularities or bloodshed in Saturday’s main voting could raise worries about the readiness of Iraq’s institutions.
There were reports of only sporadic attacks during the early voting — called so police and military units could cast ballots before being deployed for the full-scale vote.
Panel endorses Holder
WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans, who acted like lions in challenging Eric Holder, turned into lambs Wednesday as they joined Democrats in recommending President Barack Obama’s choice for attorney general.
The Judiciary Committee voted 17-2 to endorse Holder, with two Republicans opposing the nomination — John Cornyn of Texas and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma. The Senate could vote as early as today to confirm Holder as the first black to lead the Justice Department.
Rebels plan hostage release
BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombia’s main leftist rebel group plans a hostage release Sunday, its first in nearly a year, the International Committee of the Red Cross said Wednesday.
It did not say how many hostages would be freed or where, but Brazil is to provide two helicopters for the airlift that are to bear the Red Cross insignia.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, announced Dec. 21 that it would free two politicians and four security force members.
Though badly battered by Colombia’s U.S.-backed military in recent months, it nevertheless still holds dozens of hostages.
The rebels were badly burned in July when Colombian military agents posing as members of a fictitious international humanitarian organization rescued from FARC custody French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt, three U.S. military contractors and 11 others in an elaborate ruse.
Combined dispatches