Who in the White House leaked a CIA agent's identity to the
press? That's what federal investigators want to know. On
Tuesday, U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft ordered a formal
criminal investigation. It is illegal to reveal a CIA spy's
name.
Newspaper columnist Robert Novak wrote that Valerie Plame worked
for the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency), in a story published
on July 14. Last week, Novak wrote that the information came from
two Bush administration officials and that it was not "much of a
secret."
Plame's husband, Joseph C. Wilson, had criticized the
administration in a New York Times article. Did someone in the
White House give away Plame's secret to punish her husband?
The White House staff has been ordered to keep any documents from
February 1, 2002, or later, such as phone logs, memos and notes,
that refer to Wilson. "I want to know who the leakers are," said
President George W. Bush. He added that he is confident that
the FBI and the Justice Department can conduct a fair
investigation.
Some Democrats want Ashcroft to appoint an outside lawyer, or
special counsel, to look into the matter. "This is not just a
leak," said New York Senator Charles Schumer. "This is a crime."
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October 10, 2003 Vol. 9 No. 5 |
October 10, 2003 WORLD REPORT EDITION
