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Cheney aide subpoenaed to testify to Congress

By Thomas Ferraro

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of
staff was subpoenaed on Wednesday to testify in a congressional probe
of the administration's treatment and possible torture of enemy
combatants.

House of Representatives Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers,
a Michigan Democrat, issued the subpoena to David Addington a day after
it was authorized by a House panel.

The administration contends its aides can not be forced to testify.
But Addington has indicated he may do so if subpoenaed, congressional
staffers said.

Megan Mitchell, spokeswoman for the vice president's office, said,
"I can confirm that we have received the subpoena. We are reviewing it
and will respond accordingly."

The subpoena orders Addington to appear on June 26 before the House
Judiciary's subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil
Liberties, which is examining the administration's treatment of
detainees.

Addington reportedly played a key role in drafting U.S. strategies
to combat terrorism after the September 11 attacks on the United States.

Bush maintains the United States does not torture, but he has
refused to discuss interrogation techniques, saying he does not want to
tip off the enemy.

The CIA has acknowledged using a simulated drowning technique known
as waterboarding on three terrorism suspects, but says it stopped using
that method in 2003.

Waterboarding has been condemned by human rights groups, foreign countries and many U.S. lawmakers as torture.

Former Attorney General John Ashcroft and John Yoo, a former deputy
assistant attorney general, have agreed to testify before the Judiciary
subcommittee.

Bush has invoked executive privilege in rejecting congressional
subpoenas for a number of current and former aides, many sought in a
probe of the firing in 2006 of nine federal prosecutors.

In March, the House Judiciary Committee filed suit in U.S. District
Court asking it to direct White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten to
produce subpoenaed documents and order former White House counsel
Harriet Miers to comply with a subpoena and testify about the ousted
prosecutors.

A ruling is not expected for at least several months.

(Additional reporting by Tabassum Zakaria)