WASHINGTON, May 14 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney's request to declassify records of interrogations of suspected terrorists has been denied, an official said.
CNN reported that Cheney requested the CIA declassify documents related to two pending lawsuits.
"This request was handled in accordance with normal practice by CIA professionals with long experience in information management and release. It was for them a straightforward issue," CIA spokesman Paul Gimigliano said
The former vice president will appeal the ruling, an aide said.
Cheney has said he wants the documents released so there can be a more "honest debate" on the Bush administration's approval of harsh interrogation techniques against suspected terrorists.
The Washington Post reported Thursday that Cheney submitted a formal request to the National Archives and Records Administration on March 31, asking for the documents' declassification.
The papers were said to describe the intelligence gained from the CIA's questioning of suspected al-Qaida terrorists.
