The CIA recently acknowledged the existence of these documents - one signed by Bush authorizing detention facilities to be set up outside of the country, outlining interrogation techniques that may be used and the second from the Justice Department a legal analysis on torture techniques the CIA could use on detainees.

The documents had been sought by the A.C.L.U. in a suit filed in a New York federal court under the Freedom of Information Act. The suit has previously led to the disclosure of thousands of documents from the Pentagon, the F.B.I., the Justice Department and other agencies.

In the past, C.I.A. lawyers have sought to avoid any discussion of whether the agency had documents related to its interrogation and detention practices, the A.C.L.U. said. The group added that the agency had said national security would be jeopardized if it were compelled to disclose in any way its involvement in interrogations.

In the C.I.A. letter, Mr. McPherson confirmed the existence of the documents but declined to release them, saying that essentially all of their contents were exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act because release would damage national security and violate attorney-client privilege.

The timing of this acknowledgement is interesting. Does it have anything to do with the results of the mid-term elections? Is the CIA sensing a change in the wind and trying to make sure they aren't the ones left holding the bag? Or is it just because the lawsuit has forced their hand? As it is, they still refuse to release the documents themselves. Knowing them, if they did release it, it would be so completely redacted that it would become a useless piece of paper. I've long wondered why the CIA still obeys the administration. Considering how Bush and Co. totally give the CIA the shaft whenever it's convenient for them, i'm surprised the CIA hasn't turned on them. They are the CIA afterall. I'm sure they've got plenty of dirty laundry on everybody. Especially since Bush stuck them with Mr. Hide-Behind-the-Door after throwing Tenet under the bus. If that's not grounds for mutiny, i don't know what is.

Freedom of Information Act

Executive Order 13233