Posted by zeugma on March 10, 2006, at 15:53:19
In reply to interesting new development in leak scandal, posted by zeugma on February 12, 2006, at 13:04:02
this strange story about how Cheney's former right hand man is, according to the CIA, imperilling the nation's security in his demands for documents- odd for such a secretive White House staff that is loyal and wants us to trust- well, decide for yourself-
Judge Says Libby Can See Bush Briefings By TONI LOCY, Associated Press Writer
49 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - A federal judge ordered the CIA on Friday to turn over highly classified intelligence briefings to Vice President Dick Cheney's former top aide to use in the aide's defense against perjury charges.
U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton rejected CIA warnings that the nation's security would be imperiled if the presidential-level documents were disclosed to lawyers for I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Cheney's former chief of staff.The judge said the CIA can either delete highly classified information from the briefing material and provide copies of what Libby received six days a week, often with Cheney. Or, Walton said, the CIA can produce "topic overviews" of the matters covered in the briefings.
The judge also ordered the CIA to give Libby an index of the topics covered in follow-up questions that the former White House aide asked intelligence officers who conducted the briefings.
In seeking CIA input late last month, Walton appeared to have been trying to broker a compromise between defense attorneys and prosecutors to avoid a lengthy court battle with the Bush administration over the briefing material.
The judge's order indicates he is ready for such a fight. He set a schedule for the Bush administration to file any objections by March 24.
The charges against Libby — perjury, obstruction of justice and lying to FBI agents — grew out of an investigation into the leak of a CIA operative's identity.
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Bush wants investigations into leaks, but are his desires for investigations like his desires to follow the Constitution, done only when it serves his purpose?
-z
poster:zeugma
thread:583857
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20060304/msgs/618456.html