New details have been revealed on the Republican divide over the Bush administration’s plan for the treatment of prisoners in US custody. Newsweek magazine reports the administration wants to maintain at least seven existing CIA interrogation techniques for use against high-level detainees. The techniques include induced hypothermia; long periods of forced standing; sleep deprivation and so called “attention slapping.” The administration is facing resistance from three key Republican Senators on the Armed Services Committee, including John McCain of Arizona. The three helped pass a measure last week affirming Common Article Three of the Geneva Conventions, which prohibits inhumane treatment. On Saturday, President Bush answered critics in his weekly radio address.

• President Bush: “This CIA programme has saved American lives, and the lives of people in other countries. Unfortunately, the recent Supreme Court decision put the future of this programme in question, and we need this legislation to save it. There is debate about the specific proposals in this bill, and my Administration will work with Congress to find common ground. I have one test for this legislation: The intelligence community must be able to tell me that the bill Congress sends to my desk will allow this vital programme to continue.”