Secret CIA Al Qaeda Plan Almost Activated

Washington Post: Leon Panetta Ended Program to Kill Top Terror Suspects Amid Talks to Begin Operational Phase

(Washington Post)  This story was written by Joby Warrick.

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CIA officials were proposing to activate a plan to train anti-terrorist assassination teams overseas when agency managers brought the secret program to the attention of CIA Director Leon Panetta last month, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the matter.

The plan to kill top al-Qaeda leaders, which had been on the agency's back burner for much of the past eight years, was suddenly thrust into the spotlight because of proposals to initiate what one intelligence official called a "somewhat more operational phase." Shortly after learning of the plan, Panetta terminated the program and then went to Capitol Hill to brief lawmakers, who had been kept in the dark since 2001.

The Obama administration's top intelligence official, Director of National Intelligence Dennis C. Blair, yesterday defended Panetta's decision to cancel the program, which he said had raised serious questions among intelligence officials about its "effectiveness, maturity and the level of control."

But Blair broke with some Democrats in Congress by asserting that the CIA did not violate the law when it failed to inform lawmakers about the secret program until last month. Blair said agency officials may not have been required to notify Congress about the program, though he believes they should have done so.

"It was a judgment call," Blair said in an interview. "We believe in erring on the side of working with the Hill as a partner."

Democratic lawmakers have accused the CIA of deliberately misleading Congress by failing to disclose the program's existence until the briefing by Panetta on June 24. House Democrats, citing an account given by Panetta, say then-Vice President Richard B. Cheney personally ordered the CIA not to tell Congress about the initiative, which involved a series of intermittent plans to kill or capture Osama bin Laden and other top al-Qaeda leaders using small teams of assassins.

Congressional Democrats this week formally requested documents about the program, and some have called for an investigation into whether the CIA improperly withheld information from oversight committees. Sen. Russell Feingold (Wis.), a member of the Senate intelligence committee, was among several prominent Democrats who have accused the CIA of violating the law.

He said he had "deep concerns about the program" and had conveyed them to President Obama in a classified letter.

Republicans say the allegations of CIA wrongdoing are false and harmful, and some accused Democrats of raising the issue to deflect attention from recent controversies surrounding House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), who was heavily criticized after accusing the agency of lying to Congress about its use of waterboarding and other harsh interrogation techniques.

"We have lost valuable opportunities to improve oversight of the intelligence community because they got caught playing silly games," said Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.).

The plan to deploy small teams of assassins grew out of the CIA's early efforts to battle al-Qaeda after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. A secret document known as a "presidential finding" was signed by President George W. Bush that same month, granting the agency broad authority to use deadly force against bin Laden as well as other senior members of al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups.

The finding imposed no geographical limitations on the agency's actions, and intelligence officials have said that they were not obliged to notify Congress of each operation envisaged under the directive.

The CIA declined to reveal specifics of the terminated program. But agency spokesman George Little said it was "never fully operational and never took a single terrorist off the battlefield." Since his appointment, Panetta has been "aggressively using the vast tools and tactics at our disposal -- those that actually work -- to take terrorists off the streets," Little said.

Some U.S. officials familiar with the program say it never progressed beyond concepts and feasibility studies, but others described more advanced preparations, including selection of teams and limited training. All of the attempts ultimately had to be scrapped, often because of logistical difficulties or because the risks were deemed too great, said several officials who served in counterterrorism units or had access to top-secret files.

The program was active in fits and starts, and it was essentially killed in 2004 because it was deemed ineffective, former and current intelligence officials said. It reemerged briefly in 2005 but remained largely dormant until this year. Two U.S. officials with detailed knowledge of current CIA operations said the agency presented Panetta last month with new plans for moving forward with training for potential members of the assassination teams -- activities that would have involved "crossing international boundaries," in the words of a former counterterrorism official briefed on the matter.

"When a CIA unit brought the program to Panetta's attention, it came with a recommendation to brief Congress since there was some thought being given to moving toward a somewhat more operational phase -- that is, a little training," said an intelligence official with direct knowledge of the events.

Despite the new activity surrounding the program, there were "concerns about its feasibility," the official said. "If the country ever needs a capability like this going forward, smart minds will figure out a better way to do it."

Blair said that Panetta told him in advance of the decision to terminate the program and that he supported the action as well as the decision to inform Congress.

Panetta "felt it was urgent and appropriate to brief the Hill," Blair said. "You can make a judgment call on whether a briefing was necessary. We were on the side of 'Let's do it.' We're trying to reset our relations with Congress."

Blair also asserted that killing the program did not diminish U.S. options for battling al-Qaeda, including the possible use of insertion teams that could kill or capture terrorist leaders.

"This particular program didn't make the cut," he said. "But it is absolutely not true that we are doing less against al-Qaeda. Our primary criterion is effectiveness, and we will continue to do things that we think are effective to make terrorist lives miserable, and hopefully, short."

Staff writers R. Jeffrey Smith, Karen DeYoung and Ben Pershing and staff researcher Julie Tate contributed to this report.

[abbe91]

by reveal5 July 16, 2009 10:48 PM EDT

"You do understand that the program was ok. Not informing Congress was the problem if it is a violation of law."

I would say that "what was revealed about the program" was ok.
In a previous post I was wondering why Cheney would order
the CIA not to disclose it to the Congress. I could understand
when it's about waterboarding, a much more difficult thing to sell. But getting rid of AlQaeda operatives ?
Moreover, if the program was not even implemented and they didn't have to disclose it, where is the need to order not to do it ? Unless there is more in the "program", it doesn't make much sense.
Now, more seems to be coming out. See ...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/15/AR2009071503856.html

It looks like if the assassination rings were cleared to operate, not just in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, etc ... but anywere in the world, including inside the US.
What's next ?

[hermitdave]

I guess the CIA would rather not discuss the fact that Al Qaeda is one of their own covert groups as well as the Taliban. Came in real handy when the Cheney crime family needed a fake enemy to scare the stupid sheep after the New Pearl Harbor. After all neither country they invaded had a real military. Of course it did make it easy for Cheney to claim he had kept America safe since 9/11/01, a easy task when you control both sides.

[rwsmith29456]

Al Quaeda is planning on killing us so why shouldn't we respond in kind. They don't want to negotiate, they want us dead.

[wtcmedic911]

I thank God the dems protected Al Qaeda. I would hate to think the damage it would do to dems if the Al Q!aeda leaders were killed. thank you for keeping Al Qaedo management safe

[stuart2020]

Hey Rowdy. Did you shoot anyone today for smoking pot like you said yesterday you were going to do?

[rharrin1]

I will take this time to say THANKS to a Great American Hero - Cheney -

Is this the same hero with five deferments? ( I had something better to do.)

[stuart2020]

LOL the republicans are rather amusing huh? I think so. But I like Napolitanos assessment of them even better: They are an extremists threat to the security of the USA. She is right!

[stuart2020]

The republicans are great at riding the arse of Sotomayer wanting her to REVEAL just what she meant by a harmless statement in an unconsequential speech.

But when it comes to the American people demanding of the Republicans exactly what they meant having Cheney violate his role as VP and order the CIA to with hold information from Congress, they then switch and say its a secret and would harm the US if it got out.

And for all you idiot, moronic, mental midget neo-con, militia minded misfits who want to defend Cheney for breaking the law when it suits your party, well...that's why you had your azzes handed to you last November and will again in 2010 and 2012! BELIEVE THAT!!

Arrogant hypocrits. ALL Republikkkants!

[jubileee]

Why don't we put together a report on all of our planned or active activities and send them to all of our enemies!!!!!!!! Let's also put on TV news all of our week areas of security so they don't have to find them themselves. How ingnorant can we get???

[tincup356]

"The CIA declined to reveal specifics of the terminated program. But agency spokesman George Little said it was "never fully operational and never took a single terrorist off the battlefield." Since his appointment, Panetta has been "aggressively using the vast tools and tactics at our disposal -- those that actually work -- to take terrorists off the streets," Little said. " The tactics used?....drones, operated by people here in the states , who don't have a clue if the people they are killing are terrorists,,,,they just want a body count. Our government needs to stop this nonsense, they say they do this for National defense,,,,,National defense is defending our homeland,,,,NOT invading other countries and killing anyone and calling them terrorists. MORE government corruption to waste money ,,,STOP the LIE WARS.

[billpl-2009]

"tattle-tale" Panetta

what a jerk

[stuart2020]

What are you....like nine years old or around that?

[skyk-2009]

Stuart, he can't be much better with that line. I guess he thinks because Darth and the Hand Puppet President didn't care about the law, neither should the new guy.

[zonkzilla]

Picture Chris Farley saying this while meeting GW Bush " uh uh, remember when all those top terrorists were gathered at the funeral in the open? Remember that? And the military dudes were begging for permission to take them out with a Predator? Remember how you told them no because it would be illegal to kill the enemy while they were attending the funeral of a fellow terrorist? Remember how one of them was Bin Laden and they all got away and helped kill a bunch of our troops?

Bush - " hee hee hee, yea,"

Farley - "Uh, uh, that was awesome!!!!!!"

[zonkzilla]

Just another Republican fascist plan exposed.
If anyone knows the difference in Nazis and right wing Republicans I sure wish they would tell me because I don't see any.
Ever wonder why the top young Republicans always wear the same clothes? The khaki pants, black shoes, white starched shirts, black thin tie, black SUV's, and sunglasses with ropes, and that shiny wet look hair are their version of the Nazi uniform and they all wear it, all of them.

[JonFraudCarry]

The Left moonbats screamed that Bush/Cheney didn't go far enough in trying to kill Bin Laden. Now, it seems that there may have been a plan by Bush/Cheney to kill Bin Laden, and the Left moonbats are screaming again.
Liberals are freaking hypocrites.

[skyk-2009]

No reveal, I'm afraid they truly do NOT understand that and I can't understand why. My Grandson is 8, I ask him to read the Story and explain it. He did so and was very precise as to what the ISSUE was. These are supposed to be GROWN people and they can't read the story and determine what the issue is... AMAZING! ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!

[stuart2020]

jgg00000008 not when that plan costs taxpayers over a million unaccounted for tax dollars!!

[skyk-2009]

jgg, can you point to ANY law in this nation today that gave Darth the right to ORDER the CIA not to inform Congress. The LAW is clear and plain as day, ANY actions or INTENDED Actions MUST be reported to Congress. There's NO wiggle room that and NO Constitutional Authority for Shooter. I say it's time to lock the Slime up in an "Undisclosed" JAIL!! Disgusting little creature that he is!!

[grabandgo]

We need programs like this to protect our country.
Anyone that can strap a bomb to the chest of a woman or child doesn't deserve to be alive. Let the CIA clean house!

[skyk-2009]

Duh! I just do not know how people can live in the world today and be THIS uneducated and uninformed. The PROGRAM had NEVER worked and the CIA didn't feel it was worth anything.. like most of Cheney/Bush Ideas. Regardless NO ONE said they couldn't you it you poor simple minded loser! GEEZZZZZ The debate is about the Slime Dog Cheney and HIS authority to order the CIA not to reveal the Program to Congress. IF he gave that order he is in violation of OUR laws. I've seen ROCKS smarter than the entire Neocon crowd... small as it is.

[chonder2]

geminicricket- It;s about the Cheney admin. not CIA. Let's break in to the Watergate Building for old times sake.Seems like after all that time the Repubs are still doing the same thing. Have a MADOFF/CHENEY Together in 2010 bumper sticker.

[geminispyder-2009]

"Democratic lawmakers have accused the CIA of deliberately misleading Congress by failing to disclose the program's existence until the briefing by Panetta on June 24."

Good for the CIA. The only government entity more useless than DHS is Congress. Even if Congress were let in on the secret, its not like they have the mental capability to do anything about it.

[skyk-2009]

So you think we have TWO sets of laws? One for the Democrats and one for the Party of "Family Values"? LOL Yeah right! That and a buck will get you a cup of coffee at McDonald's!

[igot_leishmaniasis]

How is this part of Nancy Crying about not being told about Water-boarding? All this is, is a Program that never got off the ground, it was a planed mission that was killed, not once but twice. I guest that old D!ck stuck his head in twice not once, I see now why old Tight A$$ Nancy is Mad

[skyk-2009]

by igot_leishmaniasis, NOW you really DO need some serious help with READING. LOL I know you poor losers have a rough time with all the hatred you have been so successful with in the past not working for you now but I seriously doubt anyone is going to fall for the line you are putting out. This has NOTHING to do with the Speaker... it has EVERYTHING to do with Shooter and his disregard of the LAWS of this Country!

[svenskasandy]

First of all the nation knows what Dick Cheney does, and second of all America is based on law. The law is what keeps our country in line. Mr. Cheney can and could talk about any kind of plan he can think up, but that does not mean he implemented it. If he did, he had stepped beyond his Vice-president duties. Dick Cheney tends to get a bit too much like a 'war lord,' but if war came to our lands, I would stand behind Dick Cheney.

[pete_in_az]

Spooks.

[Sloughfoot]

We'll rue the day we did not impliment the plan.