Just as White House officials outlined a plan committing G8 countries to freedom and democracy in the Middle East, a leaked classified report revealed that lawyers had prepared advice last year saying that the US President could override domestic and international laws against torture in the "war on terrorism".
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/08/1086460297930.html

The Bush Administration's commitment to human rights and democracy is at the forefront of the G8 summit at Sea Island, Georgia, as world leaders meet amid tight security to discuss a reform plan for the Middle East.

The US National Security Adviser, Condoleezza Rice, told reporters that G8 leaders were expected to agree to a reform plan "to promote freedom, democracy and prosperity in the broader Middle East" that would include support for the rule of law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

However, The Wall Street Journal says draft legal advice for the Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, said: "Because nothing is more important than 'obtaining information vital to the protection of untold thousands of American citizens', normal strictures on torture might not apply".

Asked if it was "odd" that the US was promoting democracy in the Middle East but wanted to shut down Al-Jazeera, Dr Rice said: "I don't think anybody has suggested the shutting down of Al-Jazeera. [But] . . . it would be a good thing if the reporting were accurate . . and if it were not slanted in ways that appears to be, at times . . . inaccurate."