WASHINGTON, July 15, 2009
AP: House Wants CIA Docs on Hit Squad Plan
Sources say Agency Spent $1M on Secret Program, House Intel Committee to Probe Possible Oversight Violations
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Play CBS Video Video Cheney's CIA Secrets Unfold Congressional leaders are demanding answers on former VP Cheney and his reported orders to the CIA to conduct a secret mission to hunt down top al Qaeda operatives. Nancy Cordes reports.
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CIA Director Leon Panetta and Former Vice President Dick Cheney. (AP)
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Timeline In Terror's Wake A look at the major developments following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
The highly classified program, which never became operational but remained in existence until it was shut down by CIA Director Leon Panetta in June, is expected to trigger a congressional investigation, other officials said.
The House Intelligence Committee asked the CIA to provide documents about the now-canceled program to kill al Qaeda leaders, and agency officials said it would comply with the request, congressional officials said Tuesday.
According to one official, the agency spent at least $1 million over the eight years that the CIA considered launching the hit teams. The official would not detail the exact amount or its uses. The official and others spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
The House request for documents is likely a precursor to what would likely become a full-blown investigation into the secret operation and why the program was not disclosed to Congress. Panetta, meanwhile, has ordered a thorough internal review of the program, agency spokesman George Little said.
The House Intelligence Committee will try to establish how much was spent on the effort, whether any training was conducted and whether any officials traveled in association with the program, a committee official said. Those factors would determine whether the program had progressed enough to warrant congressional notification, the official said.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Silvestre Reyes, a Texas Democrat, is expected to decide as early as this week whether to press ahead with a full investigation into the CIA operation.
Panetta told Congress on June 24 that he had canceled the effort to kill al Qaeda leaders with hit teams soon after learning about the operation. Panetta also told lawmakers that former Vice President Dick Cheney directed the CIA not to inform Congress of the specifics of the secret program.
President George W. Bush authorized the killing of al Qaeda leaders in 2001. Congress was aware of that notification.
A congressional official said the secret CIA program was meant to carry out ground attacks with hit teams. Most attempts to kill al Qaeda's leaders, believed to be hiding in Pakistan's troubled western border region, have used armed drone aircraft because it is difficult terrain controlled by sometimes hostile tribes. But those strikes have sometimes killed and injured innocent civilians and caused outrage in Pakistan.
Sen. Russ Feingold, a Wisconsin Democrat, said Monday that the CIA's failure to brief Congress violated the law.
Rep. Peter Hoekstra of Michigan, the senior Republican member of the committee, said he would support an investigation. But from what he knows now, Hoekstra said, he does not believe the effort merited congressional notification.
Like many other Republicans, Hoekstra believes the Democratic anger about not being notified of the program sooner is meant to bolster House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who came under an avalanche of Republican criticism in May for saying she believes the CIA lied to her about its harsh interrogation program in 2002.
The House has delayed floor debate on an intelligence bill that would require the president to expand the number of members of Congress briefed on covert operations; that is, secret missions undertaken in foreign countries to affect their political, military or economic situation.
The White House has threatened to veto that bill if it includes the notification requirement. Current law allows the president to notify top members in the House and Senate and on the intelligence committees on the most sensitive operations.
© MMIX, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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- Why would Cheney "order" CIA not to disclose plans to kill AlQaeda operatives to Congress ? This is easier to sell than waterboarding, after all. Especially, if it was just considered and not implemented and there was no need to tell Congress anyway ? What could be the reason to specifically order them to keep it secret ? Why did Cheney have to be involved in this ? Either this is completely stupid or there is something else.
These "assassination plans" look like a smokescreen to me. - Reply to this comment
- by chonder2 July 15, 2009 1:43 PM EDT
The bear thing, it's geography not political.
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So what's the answer to your geography riddle ? was I close to the answer ? Was the wall representative of the great wall of china, that faces south ? or what....please respond - Reply to this comment
- I did have errands to run....how can I help you ?
- Reply to this comment
- Joe-Had errands to run. The bear thing, it's geography not political.
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- This article is discredited because of the anonymous sources. There is nothing to believe here. Legitimate hearings must take place or get ready for more of the same.
This wasn't just about Petreus's death squads, like he had in Central America. For it to be so shocking, it must have occurred ON THE DOMESTIC PLAYING FIELD, LIKE THE SPYING, RENDITIONS AND OTHER CRIMES.
The CIA goons need to be the subject of some sort of a scheme like this, not the perps. Rot in hell. - Reply to this comment
- from http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P2-1335078.html
July 29, 1987 Washington Post
Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.), former vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, resigned from the panel last January after acknowledging he had shown a reporter a draft report on the Iran-contra investigation that the committee had voted not to release to the public.
Responding to reports that Leahy resigned after leaking the document to NBC reporter John Dancy, the committee issued a statement yesterday saying that "the member of the committee responsible for the disclosure" offered his resignation and it was accepted by Committee Chairman David L. Boren (D-Okla.) - Reply to this comment
- by Joe_NY_15 July 15, 2009 12:50 PM EDT
These are perfect examples of what happens when Clowns like DumBama leak or release classified memos or what happens when Congress is informed of covert actions/programs.....people die, agents are compromised in the field....precisely what I have been stating to Dumgry1968-16
And Joe STILL thinks that ignoring the constitution is perfectly acceptable!!!
AMAZING!!
By the way Little Joey, this story came from "Newsmax", so it's only got a 2% chance of being true. - Reply to this comment
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- I don't think "ignoring the constitution is acceptable"
I also think that advising the congress of EVERY covert action or program will result in one thing.....NOTHING WILL REMAIN COVERT OR SECRET, due to the propensity of the Democrats to leak information to their buddies in the press.....they can't help themselves
- I don't think "ignoring the constitution is acceptable"
- $1 million for a program that was never implemented? I want my money back--and don't forget to give me back my black T-shirt.
But in all seriousness, I'm not surprised that the empire would maintain a hit squad that murders people without benefit of trial. I'm beginning not to be surprised that people aren't horrified at the amorality that informs our leaders' decisions. I am terrified that my child will spend her adult life in a world where this is considered right. - Reply to this comment
- by chonder2 July 15, 2009 11:09 AM EDT
I finished my house the other day. It's very nice. It has four walls that all face south. A bear tried to break in last night, what color was it?
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Reply to this comment by Joe_NY_15 July 15, 2009 11:15 AM EDT
Red ?
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by chonder2 July 15, 2009 11:21 AM EDT
Thats not funny.
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Was this a riddle Chonder ? I thought Bear = Russia or China = Red
Why was that not funny ? it wasn't intended to be funny, did the red mean blood to you or something ? - Reply to this comment
- from http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2005/3/13/202146.shtml
Senator Pat Leahy was annoyed with the Reagan administration's war on terrorism in the 1980s. At the time he was vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
"Leaky Leahy," allegedly threatened to sabotage classified strategies he didn't like.
Leahy ?inadvertently' disclosed a top-secret communications intercept during a 1985 television interview.
"The intercept ? made possible the capture of the Arab terrorists who had hijacked the cruise ship Achille Lauro and murdered American citizens. ?"
"The reports cost the life of at least one Egyptian operative involved in the operation."
In July 1987, it was reported that Leahy leaked secret information about a 1986 covert operation planned by the Reagan administration to topple Libya's Moammar Gaddhafi.
U.S. intelligence officials said Leahy, along with the Republican panel chairman, sent a written threat to expose the operation directly to then-CIA Director William Casey.
Weeks later, news of the secret plan turned up in the Washington Post, causing it to be aborted.
A year later, as the Senate was preparing to hold hearings on the Iran-Contra scandal, Leahy had to resign his Intelligence Committee post after he was caught leaking secret information to a reporter.
He should have been indicted, tried and sentenced.
Leahy's Iran-Contra leak was considered to be one of the most serious breaches of secrecy in the Intelligence Committee's 10-year history. But that was before Senator Richard Shelby leaked that we were tapping Osama bin Laden's satellite phone. Bin Laden immediately stopped using it, denying us the opportunity to find and kill the s.o.b. - Reply to this comment
- by Joe_NY_15 July 15, 2009 11:15 AM EDT
Red ?
It's not surprising that is the first color that comes to your mind, comrade. - Reply to this comment
- I finished my house the other day. It's very nice. It has four walls that all face south. A bear tried to break in last night, what color was it?
- Reply to this comment
- There are a couple of people here that have strong ideology and seem to step off into quick sand without waiting for details. Instead of calling for a rope they continue to thrash.
- Reply to this comment
- by Joe_NY_15 July 15, 2009 10:54 AM EDT
You didn't......Congress leaks...thats the bottom line you don't seem to accept....therefore many covert or secret programs need to be kept from the congress, because they can't be trusted.
Typical neo con: "FFFF the constitution! Who cares what the constitution MANDATES!!! "Party loyalty" above the constitution!!"
If you hate the constitution so much, why don't you just move to a place where they share your "anti-constitutional" values - like Moscow, Tehran, or Beijing? - Reply to this comment
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- Typical liberal comment from Hungry. Screw the Constitution. Party loyality above the Constitution.
And the folks in Moscow, Tehran and Bejing are much more in line with your way of thinking, Hungry. You would feel at home there.
- Since your party leaks information on a daily basis to our adversaries, why don't you just join the enemy ?? they would welcome your anti-american Jihad with open arms.
Or better yet, why even go through congress, just telegraph everyting directly to the terrorists and our enemies, it would have the same result as what you are suggesting.
- Typical liberal comment from Hungry. Screw the Constitution. Party loyality above the Constitution.
- by Joe_NY_15 July 15, 2009 10:50 AM EDT
NO, the last time agents were compromised was when the amateur community organizer decided he wanted to embarrass Bush and released classified CIA memos to our enemies, immediately compromising all those agents involved in interrogation and undercover.
I asked you earlier: "Who was compromised and how?"
You STILL haven't answered, but you repost the same nonsense again?
How foolish is that? - Reply to this comment
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- I already answered that....but of course, no answer is acceptable in your warped twisted liberal eyes...right ?
All CIA agents have been compromised by this administration....everyone of them must second guess their job, because they know that this President and administration will prosecute them and reveal covert information at a moments notice, disregarding all of our nation's secrecy all for the purpose of using it against the opposition (republicans)....this puts EVERY agent in a compromising position, unable to do their job effectively, second-guessing every move, which in this business is deadly......Thanks, Barry and Leon...thanks for undermining this nation at every step
- I already answered that....but of course, no answer is acceptable in your warped twisted liberal eyes...right ?
- by Joe_NY_15 July 15, 2009 10:47 AM EDT
Well, to use your analogy, Democrats will be informing Republicans of all covert actions and any secret programs, so we can leak them immediately to the press, rendering them no longer secret or covert....is that what you are saying ?
You just don't seem to think anything through....do you ?
When did I accuse the republicans in the senate or house intelligence committees, of leaking ANY classified information? - Reply to this comment
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- You didn't......Congress leaks...thats the bottom line you don't seem to accept....therefore many covert or secret programs need to be kept from the congress, because they can't be trusted.
So, since everything secret must be briefed to the Congress, we can't wait to leak it immediately to the press.....negating any secrecy.....that's what you are describing....that's what you want
- You didn't......Congress leaks...thats the bottom line you don't seem to accept....therefore many covert or secret programs need to be kept from the congress, because they can't be trusted.
- by abbe91 July 15, 2009 10:25 AM EDT
The last time agents have been compromised, it was by a member of the Senate. To be more, under the previous administration, by the PRESIDENT of the Senate. That was the Brewster-Jennings operation which was outed. This is also known as the Plamegate scandal.
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NO, the last time agents were compromised was when the amateur community organizer decided he wanted to embarrass Bush and released classified CIA memos to our enemies, immediately compromising all those agents involved in interrogation and undercover. - Reply to this comment
- by hungry1968-16 July 15, 2009 10:40 AM EDT
It should be: zero, if the CIA is following the law.
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Well, to use your analogy, Democrats will be informing Republicans of all covert actions and any secret programs, so we can leak them immediately to the press, rendering them no longer secret or covert....is that what you are saying ?
You just don't seem to think anything through....do you ? - Reply to this comment
- by Mortarman29 July 15, 2009 10:39 AM EDT
Why did Panetta report it? Because he is a lib and wants to damage Republicans. Why else?
That's a stupid and absurd answer, and you know it. He KNEW that congress was supposed to be informed of this program, so he did the RIGHT THING, and informed them IMMEDIATELY - like he was supposed to.
We don't know the circumstances of Cheney's order, we don't know if the president ok'ed it, or if Bush told the CIA, "Do whatever Cheney wants." The only thing known at this point, is that Cheney gave the order to NOT tell congress, which is a violation of the US Constitution.
If you were like me, and actually cared about the constitution, you would be VERY PO'd about this like I am.
Apparently like all conservatives, you value "conservatism" and "loyalty to the party" above the constitution.
Our founding fathers must be rolling in their graves. - Reply to this comment
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- You actually believe this stuff, dont you Hungry?
Our Founding Father roll in their graves because the country they started, with a Constitution that limited the Federal government, has been destroyed.
I care about the Constitution, which is why I fight liberals every chance I can get. They dont give a d@mn about it.
Again, you have no idea what the laws and regulations require in the release of classified documents...so you again look silly posting the way you do.
- OH, GIVE US A BREAK HUNGRY !!!
the only reason you are PO'd about it, is because it involved Cheney !!!
If it involved Obama, Biden or Penetta.....you would be defending it vigorously and you know it.....don't pretend to be all concerned....your selective 'concern' seems to conveniently only involve Repubublicans and never Democrats ??? how convenient
- You actually believe this stuff, dont you Hungry?
- by Mortarman29 July 15, 2009 10:23 AM EDT
They werent running this program...they were planning it.
The programs they were running, they briefed to Congress.
This program was "planning" for EIGHT YEARS? Even YOU aren't that naive.
AGAIN -- if there was NO RESPONSIBILITY to report this to congress, then why did Panetta IMMEDIATELY inform congress about it, as soon as he found out about it?
And why did Cheney give ORDERS not to tell congress about it, a violation of the US Constitution, if it was only in the "planning stages"? - Reply to this comment
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- Why did Panetta report it? Because he is a lib and wants to damage Republicans. Why else?
Cheney did not give orders...he couldnt because he had no authority to give orders. That is like saying "well Pelosi ordered soem General to do something." Silly! Second, if any order came down from the president concerning this, it was most likely in line with the fact that they didnt need to disclose planning papers and meetings. The law says they dont. So, it was probably an advisement to all personnel clarifying again that when testifying, they are only to give information that they are LEGALLY responsible to give...and on all other stuff, they are to keep their mouthes shut.
- Why did Panetta report it? Because he is a lib and wants to damage Republicans. Why else?
