Press TV | 7 Dec 2014
A Senate report on the CIA’s torture program is “by no means the full truth,” yet it details part of the US torture history that is “obviously too embarrassing,” says Scott Rickard, former American intelligence linguist.
“This is only the tip of the iceberg… This report goes into minute details of what the CIA is actually doing and it is obviously too embarrassing and extremely criminal,” Rickard told Press TV on Saturday, as the Obama administration is grappling with the Senate over timing of the release.
On Wednesday, US lawmakers threatened to circumvent the administration by releasing the Senate Intelligence Committee’s report, after reports emerged that US Secretary of State John Kerry had urged Senate Intelligence Committee chair Dianne Feinstein to hold off the release for the time being.
“It’s time for the US government to stand up and face the truth,” Rickard said, adding the report probably contains details about “the outsourcing and the illegal and criminal activity of torture in these countries that are considered allies.”
Kerry’s last-minute attempt could waste the opportunity for the release as the report would fall under the control of the new Republican majority the holiday recess.
“It is a glimpse of potential opportunity for the United States to do the right thing… The fact that they are looking into it at this moment and considering it at least gives me a glimmer of hope for the American political system,” Rickard said.
“At the end of the day, obviously, the people in the country will be the ones that will hopefully wise up and be able to correct the wrongdoings of the American government.”
