Powell talks 'Zero Dark Thirty,' torture

Addressing the renewed debate about torture as an interrogation tactic in the wake of the release of the controversial movie "Zero Dark Thirty," former Secretary of State Colin Powell insisted on Sunday that Americans have not used torture. 

"We do not torture people," Powell said. "It is against American policy." 

"You can always debate what torture is," he added. "I know what torture is." 

Powell, a retired four-star Army general, didn't comment on the accuracy of the movie.

"I really can't answer the question as to whether or not the movie's correct or what others have said are correct," Powell said. 

Powell pointed out that tactics like water boarding are no longer being used. 

"We can't be a nation that is lawless. We cannot be a nation that simply ignores our obligations to ourselves, our obligations to our Constitution, our obligations to our own moral standing in the world," Powell said. "And so be tough.  If on occasion you have to do something, be prepared to answer for what you're doing."