WASHINGTON (AP) — A congresswoman says CIA Director Leon Panetta has terminated the covert program the spy agency had been conducting for eight years without the knowledge of Congress.
Illinois Democrat Jan Shakowsky, the chairwoman of the House Intelligence Committee's subcommittee on oversight, is pressing for an immediate committee investigation of the covert program.
In an Associated Press interview, Shakowsky described the program as "very, very serious" and said it "certainly deserved a serious debate at the time and through the years."
She says, "Now it's over."
Democrats revealed late Tuesday that CIA Director Leon Panetta had informed Congress in late June that the spy agency had been withholding important information about a secret program begun after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The chairwoman of a House Intelligence panel says it's imperative that lawmakers launch an immediate investigation on the CIA's admission that it misled Congress multiple times over the last eight years.
Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky (Shuh-COW'-ski) of Illinois said the CIA systematic lied to Congress, and called that inexcusable in a letter obtained by The Associated Press Friday.
Democrats revealed late Tuesday that CIA Director Leon Panetta informed Congress in late June that the spy agency had been withholding important information about a secret program begun after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
House Intelligence Chairman Silvestre Reyes (Syl-VES'-ter RAY'-ess) said Tuesday night he is considering an investigation. Panetta has launched an internal probe at the CIA to determine why Congress was not told about the program. Exactly what the classified program entailed is still unclear. Reyes is a Texas Democrat.
by the associated press
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Showing posts with label CIA Chiefs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CIA Chiefs. Show all posts
Friday, July 10, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
CIA ties
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration’s pick for a top intelligence post at the Homeland Security Department is expected to face questions from senators about his ties to the CIA’s harsh interrogations of terror suspects, lawmakers say.
At issue is the extent of Philip Mudd’s involvement in the CIA’s interrogation program while he was a senior official at the agency during the Bush administration. Mudd was nominated to be under secretary of intelligence and analysis at Homeland Security.
Mudd’s confirmation hearing is expected next week.
Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Thursday Mudd’s ties to the program will be investigated.
"Even though members of this committee did not object to the program until it became politically risky, I expect the nominee will be questioned on his involvement,” Bond said.
Charlie Allen, the former top intelligence official at the Homeland Security Department and longtime senior official at the CIA, said Mudd is the right person for the job.
"He is a highly respected professional intelligence officer who is honest and is an individual of high integrity. Period,” Allen said.
by the associated press
At issue is the extent of Philip Mudd’s involvement in the CIA’s interrogation program while he was a senior official at the agency during the Bush administration. Mudd was nominated to be under secretary of intelligence and analysis at Homeland Security.
Mudd’s confirmation hearing is expected next week.
Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Thursday Mudd’s ties to the program will be investigated.
"Even though members of this committee did not object to the program until it became politically risky, I expect the nominee will be questioned on his involvement,” Bond said.
Charlie Allen, the former top intelligence official at the Homeland Security Department and longtime senior official at the CIA, said Mudd is the right person for the job.
"He is a highly respected professional intelligence officer who is honest and is an individual of high integrity. Period,” Allen said.
by the associated press
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Torture Memos, From Former CIA Cheifs
WASHINGTON — Four former CIA directors opposed releasing classified Bush-era interrogation memos, officials say, describing objections that went all the way to the White House and slowed release of the records.
Former CIA chiefs Michael Hayden, Porter Goss, George Tenet and John Deutch all called the White House in March warning that release of the so-called "torture memos” would compromise intelligence operations, current and former officials say. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in order to detail internal government discussions.
President Barack Obama ultimately overruled those concerns after internal discussions that intensified in the weeks after the former directors intervened. The memos were released Thursday.
Obama’s personal involvement grew as the decision neared, and he personally led a National Security Council session on the matter, senior administration officials said.
Senior White House adviser David Axelrod, who said he also talked with the president about the pending release of the memos in recent weeks, said Friday that the CIA directors’ opposition was considered seriously but that it did not impede the decision-making process.
The memos detailed the legal rationales that senior Bush administration lawyers drew up, authorizing CIA officials to use simulated drowning and other techniques on terror suspects and detainees.
Obama gave the matter "the appropriate reflection,” Axelrod said. He said Obama’s deliberations revolved around "the issue of national security versus the rule of law,” and amounted to "one of the most profound issues the president of the United States has to deal with.”
President’s message
The administration decided it would be better to make the release voluntarily, so as to not be seen as being forced to do so, the officials said.
Obama took the unusual step of accompanying his decision with a personal letter to CIA employees. He also devoted a big share of his public statement to saying that he believed in keeping intelligence operations secret and operations about them classified. And he said he would not apologize for doing so in the future.
by the associated press
Former CIA chiefs Michael Hayden, Porter Goss, George Tenet and John Deutch all called the White House in March warning that release of the so-called "torture memos” would compromise intelligence operations, current and former officials say. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in order to detail internal government discussions.
President Barack Obama ultimately overruled those concerns after internal discussions that intensified in the weeks after the former directors intervened. The memos were released Thursday.
Obama’s personal involvement grew as the decision neared, and he personally led a National Security Council session on the matter, senior administration officials said.
Senior White House adviser David Axelrod, who said he also talked with the president about the pending release of the memos in recent weeks, said Friday that the CIA directors’ opposition was considered seriously but that it did not impede the decision-making process.
The memos detailed the legal rationales that senior Bush administration lawyers drew up, authorizing CIA officials to use simulated drowning and other techniques on terror suspects and detainees.
Obama gave the matter "the appropriate reflection,” Axelrod said. He said Obama’s deliberations revolved around "the issue of national security versus the rule of law,” and amounted to "one of the most profound issues the president of the United States has to deal with.”
President’s message
The administration decided it would be better to make the release voluntarily, so as to not be seen as being forced to do so, the officials said.
Obama took the unusual step of accompanying his decision with a personal letter to CIA employees. He also devoted a big share of his public statement to saying that he believed in keeping intelligence operations secret and operations about them classified. And he said he would not apologize for doing so in the future.
by the associated press
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