Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced he will oppose efforts to apply the Army Field Manual to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

A provision added by Democrats in a House-Senate conference committee on the Intelligence Authorization Bill for FY 2008 would require all American interrogators – including the CIA -- to abide by the Army Field Manual.  The House of Representatives passed the provision yesterday by a vote of 222-199.  President Bush has threatened to veto the legislation over the provision.

Graham is one of several Senators who have placed a hold on the legislation and made clear they will strongly oppose it should it come up for a Senate vote.

“It would be a colossal mistake for us to apply the Army Field Manual to the operations of the CIA,” said Graham.  “I’ve been fully briefed on the current CIA program to interrogate high value targets.  It is aggressive, effective, lawful and in compliance with our legal obligations.  The Democratic provision will destroy the CIA program.

“I believe in flexibility for the CIA program within the boundaries of current law,” continued Graham.  “The CIA must have the ability to gather intelligence for the War on Terror.  In this new war, knowledge of the enemy and its plan is vitally important and the Democratic provision will weaken our intelligence gathering operations.”

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