W.House says deal possible on CIA interrogations

WASHINGTON, Sep 17 (Reuters) The White House, facing a Senate Republican revolt over CIA treatment of terrorist suspects, said today that a compromise can be reached over legislation needed to continue its interrogation program.

The White House wants Congress to pass a law that would allow the CIA to use tough questioning methods which it says have protected the country from attack but which critics say are tantamount to torture.

A Senate committee rebelled against President George W Bush on Thursday, passing a bill giving foreign terrorist suspects broader rights that backers say would repair a US image damaged by harsh treatment of detainees.

The rift between Bush and senior senators from his own party comes less than two months before November congressional elections in which Republicans are trying to convince voters that national security is their strong suit.

Stephen Hadley, White House national security adviser, said he believed the differences with Congress could be worked out.

''In a war on terror there are some things that have to remain secret if they are to be effective, but it is not out of control and we're not saying trust us,'' Hadley said on ABC's ''This Week'' program.

''We're going to the Congress trying to get clear legal standards.'' Hadley said the solution should to be continue the CIA program, giving interrogators clear guidance, while meeting Sen. John McCain's requirement that there be no change to Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions that bars inhumane treatment of prisoners.

''MORAL HIGH GROUND'' The White House will not say what techniques have been used, but media reports have said ''water boarding'', which simulates drowning, and sleep deprivation have been employed by the CIA.

Republican senators who have endorsed legislation that would give detainees greater protections include Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John Warner of Virginia, McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

McCain, a prisoner of war during the Vietnam conflict, also said a compromise was possible.

''I believe we can sit down, we can work this out, preserve our Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions,'' he said on ABC.

McCain said the United States must hold the ''moral high ground'' on this issue. ''This has nothing to do with al Qaeda.

It has everything to do with America.'' Some lawmakers, including McCain, say they fear the practices put American soldiers at greater risk of harm or abuse if they are captured in conflicts overseas.

But National Intelligence Director John Negroponte said if McCain's version of the legislation were enacted, the CIA believed its interrogation program would have to stop.

''I think it's very, very important that this program go forth.

It's provided valuable information that has saved lives of Americans and significant plots against our homeland have been disrupted as a result,'' he said on ''FOX News Sunday.'' ''Surely there is a way of finding a way forward that would permit this program to continue, and at the same time, do it in a way that is both respectful of our law and constitution and our international obligations,'' Negroponte said.

REUTERS SAM VC2245