Obama Spy Chief Choice Backs Guantanamo Closure

Dennis Blair said humane treatment standards for terrorism suspects must apply throughout the government.

President Barack Obama's choice for U.S. spy chief backed closing Guantanamo prison and said humane treatment standards for terrorism suspects must apply throughout the government, breaking with the Bush administration's insistence on an exemption for the CIA.

"I agree with the president that the detention center at Guantanamo has become a damaging symbol to the world and that it must be closed," retired Adm. Dennis Blair told a Senate hearing on his nomination as Director of National Intelligence.

"There must be clear standards for humane treatment that apply to all agencies of U.S. government, including the intelligence community," Blair said.