Via Fox: GOP Leaders Want Probe Into 'Secret Prisons' Leak
"WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and House Speaker Dennis Hastert on Tuesday called for a congressional leak investigation into who told the news media about previously undisclosed U.S. interrogation centers abroad.
"If accurate, such an egregious disclosure could have long-term and far-reaching damaging and dangerous consequences, and will imperil our efforts to protect the American people and our homeland from terrorist attacks," Frist and Hastert said in a letter.
The Associated Press obtained a copy of the request to Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Pat Roberts of Kansas and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Peter Hoekstra of Michigan.
The Washington Post reported a week ago on the existence of secret U.S. prisons in Eastern Europe for terrorism suspects. The Bush administration has neither confirmed nor denied that report.
Frist and Hastert said the joint probe by the House and Senate intelligence committees should determine who leaked the information and under what authority.
"What is the actual and potential damage done to the national security of the United States and our partners in the global war on terror?" the letter asked. "We will consider other changes to this mandate based on your recommendations."
This of course is reference this story in the Washington Post by Dana Priest. In light of the way that journalists shot themselves in the foot with the Plame Game, I suggest that Ms. Priest get her sources ready, and be ready herself to testify.
It looks like VIPS member Larry C. Johnson should have kept his trap shut as now his posting at TPM will most likely prove helpful in finding out who leaked the story to Priest. My bet it's not 'recently retired' but long retired, say since, 1990.
Perhaps, the NY Times should be the next to explain who leaked this story as well.
UPDATE: Nearly forgot (h/t Clarice Feldman), that VIPS members actually asked for leaks back in 2003. Oh, and what the heck, I guess Seymour had a point on this as well.
Gee, ask and ye shall receive.
UPDATE II: Editor and Publisher quotes Lucy Dalglish, executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press: 'Dalglish who told E&P this afternoon that she believes the Post would not "knuckle under" to any subpoenas if such an investigation were convened.'
Looks like the line in the sand has been drawn.
UPDATE II: Per Byron York at NRO, it's been referred to the JD.
UPDATE III: The American Spectator agrees with Macranger "Lott is nuts!"
More at Blogs for Bush. Capt Ed has the reponse by Senator Reid.
Filed under: judith miller valerie plame karl rove Valerie Plame PlameGate john hannahcheney libbyjoe wilson
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