House chairman accepts anti-torture provisions of Defense bill

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., and other key negotiators agreed Friday afternoon to accept language from Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., that would prevent the torture of detainees, removing a significant hurdle to passage of the defense authorization bill, congressional aides said.

Hunter had expressed concern Thursday that language agreed to by McCain and the White House might hinder the country's intelligence-gathering capabilities, despite a letter from National Intelligence Director John Negroponte that assured that would not be the case.

Hunter and others continued to swap proposed language Thursday night and Friday until the deal was sealed. Details of the s agreement were not immediately available. The White House initially opposed McCain's amendment, but President Bush announced his support Thursday.

Meanwhile, conferees continued to work on the authorization bill behind closed doors. While Hunter's acceptance of McCain's language improves the chances for final action on the bill before Congress adjourns for the year, some issues remained unresolved.

One sticking point is an amendment from Hunter that would transfer an island off the coast of Southern California to the Defense Department for hunting and other recreational activities for the military, congressional aides said.

Hunter's plan for Santa Rosa Island is coming under fire in part because it was not included in either chamber's version of the $441.6 billion authorization bill.

"There are a lot of people angry," said one congressional staffer. "This is a conference add out of the clear blue sky."

The former cattle ranch, purchased by the National Park Service in 1986, is the largest of the Channel Islands and is home to deer and elk. The owners of that ranch operate a hunting business under an agreement that expires in 2011.

Opponents of the measure say it would create an exclusive hunting area for the military.