WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- US President George W. Bush denied that his administration sends terrorism suspects secretly to countries that allow torture to get information.

    "We do not render to countries that torture. That has been our policy and that policy will remain the same," Bush told reporters at the White House.

    He said the administration abided by the law of the country. "We do not torture," he said. "We will try to do everything we can to protect us within the law."

    He declined to comment on reports that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operates secret prisons overseas to hold terrorism suspects.

    "I don't talk about secret programs, covert programs, covert activities," Bush said.

    He said part of a successful war on terror was for the United States "to be able to conduct operations, all aimed to protect the American people covertly."

    The Washington Post reported in early November that the CIA was operating covert detention centers in eight foreign countries for holding terror suspects. Enditem