Bush defends CIA detention program, no torture

WASHINGTON, Oct 5 (Reuters) - President George W Bush today defended the CIA's use of secret prisons overseas to interrogate terrorism suspects and declared the United States does not use torture.

Bush said the program, which has sparked criticism over interrogation methods, was to ''better protect'' Americans.

''This government does not torture people,'' Bush told reporters in the Oval Office after a statement on the economy.

REUTERS JK VC2005