WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- The then-senior Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee urged the CIA in 2003 not to destroy videotapes it had made of the interrogations of terrorist detainees , according to the newly declassified letter . Lawyers for several Guantanamo detainees say the government has defied orders to preserve evidence . Rep. Jane Harman wrote in a letter dated February 10 , 2003 , that destruction of the tapes would `` reflect badly on the agency . '' The Democrat from California released the letter Thursday . Last month , the CIA acknowledged videotapes were made in 2002 of two terrorist detainees but were destroyed in 2005 . Some of the tapes showed the harsh interrogations of Abu Zubaydah and Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri . In the case of Zubaydah , the tactics captured on videotape included waterboarding , which simulates drowning , a controversial technique that critics consider a form of torture . Shortly after becoming the ranking member of the Intelligence Committee in 2003 , Harman was briefed on the CIA 's interrogation and detention program , and the existence of the videotapes . She was told of the intention to destroy the tapes once an internal inquiry into the program was complete . Harman wrote her letter to the CIA 's chief lawyer urging the agency to reconsider its plan . `` Even if the videotape does not constitute an official record that must be preserved under the law , the videotape would be the best proof that the written record is accurate , if such record is called into question in the future , '' she wrote . The release of the letter comes a day after the Justice Department announced there is enough evidence to warrant a criminal investigation into the destruction of the CIA tapes . The inquiry will look into whether the CIA or other government officials committed crimes in the handling of the tapes . Congressional oversight committees are independently investigating the tape destruction . The House Intelligence Committee has subpoenaed Jose Rodriguez , the former head of the CIA covert service who sources say ordered the destruction of the tapes , to testify before the panel January 16 . CIA General Counsel John Rizzo , who opposed the tape destruction , has agreed to voluntarily appear before the committee . E-mail to a friend .
Letter : Rep. Jane Harman said destroying tapes would `` reflect badly on '' CIA . Last month , the CIA acknowledged videotapes were made in 2002 . Tapes showed the harsh interrogations of two terrorist suspects . In one instance , a tape shows detainee undergoing waterboarding .