BARACK OBAMA has promised to end the torture of suspected terrorists by American intelligence operatives, instructing his incoming intelligence team to ensure that the United States abides by the Geneva conventions.
Naming former White House chief of staff Leon Panetta as his choice for CIA director and retired admiral Dennis Blair as national intelligence director, the president-elect said avoiding torture was not only in tune with America's core values but was in the US national security interest.
"I was clear throughout this campaign, and have been clear throughout this transition that under my administration, the United States does not torture, we will abide by the Geneva conventions, that we will uphold our highest values and ideals," he said.
"I think it is important for us to do that not only because that's who we are, but also ultimately it will make us safer and will help in changing hearts and minds in our struggle against extremists."
Mr Obama implicitly criticised the Bush administration's use of intelligence, suggesting that the outgoing administration sought to tailor intelligence reports to suit its own political purposes.
"We have learned that to make pragmatic policy choices, we must insist on assessments grounded solely in the facts, and not seek information to suit any ideological agenda," he said.
Yesterday's appointments came as the Illinois House of Representatives voted by 114-1 to impeach the state's governor, Rod Blagojevich, who was arrested last month for allegedly trying to sell Mr Obama's Senate seat to the highest bidder.
Legislators accused the governor of letting down the people of Illinois by allowing ego and ambition to drive his official decisions.
"It's our duty to clean up the mess and stop the freak show that's become Illinois government," said Democratic state representative Jack Franks.
Mr Blagojevich's case will now go to the Illinois state senate for a trial in which 40 of the 59 members must vote to convict him if he is to be removed from office.
Mr Panetta's confirmation by the Senate is expected to run smoothly despite concerns among some agency professionals about his lack of experience in intelligence. Admiral Blair will face questions, however, over his role 10 years ago in encouraging the US to restore relations with the Indonesian military as it cracked down brutally on civilians in East Timor.
Congress cut off ties to the Indonesian military in 1999 after paramilitary groups backed by the military and supported by the US had killed more than 200,000 people in East Timor over a period of 20 years. Admiral Blair, who was US Pacific Command chief, told the Senate armed services committee in March 1999 that the Indonesian military had played "a difficult but generally positive role" in East Timor.
The following month, he met Gen Wiranto, the Indonesian military commander, offering his support for a restoration of US relations while groups backed by the general rampaged through East Timor, attacking a church and executing dozens of civilians.
Oregon senator Ron Wyden said this week that he planned to question Admiral Blair closely about his role in Indonesia.
"I think it's extraordinarily important at this point when we are trying to send a different message about our values and our priorities in human rights to move as quickly as is responsibly possible.
"I have some questions about whether that has been done and I want to ask about that. I want to ask him about it. I am not making any charges," Mr Wyden said.
Admiral Blair has said he was unaware of the church massacre until after he returned from his meeting with Gen Wiranto. Mr Obama's spokeswoman Brooke Anderson insisted that all of the admiral's actions had been in keeping with US government policy.
"Admiral Blair condemned the conduct of Indonesian troops in East Timor, and he conveyed that if they behaved responsibly, the US was prepared to resume normal relations. If they did not, they risked further negative consequences," she said.
Human rights activists have expressed concern about another of Mr Obama's intelligence appointments - John Brennan, who was named yesterday as homeland security adviser and deputy national security adviser for counterterrorism.
Mr Brennan was dropped as a candidate for director of central intelligence due to accusations of support for torture and extraordinary rendition.