US President George W. Bush has bowed to pressure from leading senators in his Republican party, revising a bill for interrogating terrorism suspects that critics had said would allow abusive treatment.
The deal between the White House and the three Senate heavyweights ended days of negotiations and appeared to clear the way for Congress to pass legislation setting up trials for foreign suspects at the US naval facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Republicans John Warner of Virginia, John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina had led the charge against Bush's bill, saying it would have allowed abusive CIA interrogations and unfair trials.
Ms Graham said the compromise produced "a CIA program that the president desired to have in a way that clearly does not violate our obligations under the Geneva Conventions" - standards for humane treatment of war prisoners.
Mr Bush hailed the deal, saying it would allow the CIA to pursue a policy that is vital for US security after the September 11th attacks.
Mr Bush needed the legislation after the Supreme Court in June ruled that his original plan for trying foreign suspects did not meet judicial standards. He has repeatedly denied charges by international critics the interrogations amount to torture.
"I'm pleased to say that this agreement preserves the ... most potent tool we have in protecting America and foiling terrorist attacks, and that is the CIA program to question the world's most dangerous terrorists and to get their secrets," Mr Bush said of the deal.
On a trip to Florida, Mr Bush said he hoped Congress would send him the legislation before it heads out next week to campaign for November 7th congressional elections.