US detainee bill would clarify access to evidence

WASHINGTON, Sep 22 (Reuters) A deal reached on rules for the questioning and trials of suspected terrorists held by the United States would put some limits on the suspects' access to evidence, a White House official said.

''A provision dealing with classified evidence makes sure that no sensitive intelligence will have to be shared with terrorists or their lawyers,'' White House national security adviser Stephen Hadley told reporters.

''The bar is very high,'' he said.

The White House hammered out a compromise with the Senate Republicans who balked at President George W Bush's proposals to allow harsh questioning of suspects by the CIA and to limit detainee rights at trial.

The deal is expected to pave the way for a Senate vote, but afterward, differences would still need to be worked out with the House of Representatives.

Hadley said there remained a disagreement between the two chambers on the details of the provision on access to evidence.

He said they would be ironed out in the conference deliberations.

Reuters DKS VP0432