Wilson Admits Wife Not a 'Covert' Agent (CNN Interview transcript)

CNN | 7-14-05 | Wolf Blitzer

[The Old Hoosier]

While many news sources report it as fact, it is very unclear what Valerie Plame's status is/was. Here's the most important part of Wilson's interview from last night. In order to protect himself from criticism about the Vanity Fair photo shoot, the book deal, and his generally self-aggrandizing, self-enriching behavior since July 2003, Wilson admits that his wife was not a covert agent:

BLITZER: But the other argument that's been made against you is that you've sought to capitalize on this extravaganza, having that photo shoot with your wife, who was a clandestine officer of the CIA, and that you've tried to enrich yourself writing this book and all of that.

What do you make of those accusations, which are serious accusations, as you know, that have been leveled against you.

WILSON: My wife was not a clandestine officer the day that Bob Novak blew her identity.

BLITZER: But she hadn't been a clandestine officer for some time before that?

WILSON: That's not anything that I can talk about. And, indeed, I'll go back to what I said earlier, the CIA believed that a possible crime had been committed, and that's why they referred it to the Justice Department.

She was not a clandestine officer at the time that that article in Vanity Fair appeared. And I have every right to have the American public know who I am and not to have myself defined by those who would write the sorts of things that are coming out, being spewed out of the mouths of the RNC...

[palmer]

The question is when "Valerie Plame" or "Valerie Wilson", whatever she used, became known as a 'CIA Agent' as opposed to an employee of Brewster-Jennings.

The problem with that theory is there is no proof that she or anyone worked for B-J. And that should be the case with a properly constructed front company, but this one was not, not even close. See Apparant CIA Front Didn't Offer Much Cover. So the question is who is the idiot who authorized this cover, or did Plame construct this cover herself?

[lugsoul]

I guess you still haven't figured out that the version of events you recite (Rove was 'correcting' Joe Wilson's 'lie') has a big hole in it - you can't point to a single statement by Joe Wilson prior to or during July 2003 when he says he was sent by VP Cheney.

[jos65]

Now doesn't Schumer look like a fool now for appearing with him? Boxer is also an idiot. She said no fewer than 5 times that Rove outed a "covert" CIA Agent.


Was there ever any questrion?

[lugsoul]

Her name was tied to the company through FEC records. I doubt anyone wanting to determine whether she was CIA would consider that a lack of 'proof.'

As far as what was found in 2003, I would guess - acknowledging that I could be wrong - that the suspicion that Ames had outed Plame would've been enough reason to cease any 'activity' that had been going on there previously. But that's still not a good reason to trumpet to the world that anyone who had once used that company name was actually Agency. And that their 'contacts' or 'business associates' in foreign countries might actually be Agency assets.

Jeebus, this is just getting 'totally ridiculous.' Do you people really believe that it is a good thing that this woman's former NOC status and her former front company's status is now widely publicized? Do you really believe that a responsible government official, when a reporter mentions actions allegedly taken by a CIA employee relating to Iraq WMD issues - whether the official knew she was covert or not - should say ANYTHING except "I don't have the slightest idea what you are talking about." ?????

[lugsoul]

Since your response depends on what you think he would have said if he had meant it a certain way, that in and of itself shows that he didn't clearly say what is alleged.

Perhaps Wolf should've asked a better question - 'Was she covert the day before Novak's column?'

[Grampa Dave]

She has been a bulemic air head ever since I have seen her.

She is totally worthless as a human being.

[Grampa Dave]

Great~

[rockthecasbah]

"Ahh hoohoohooooohooohoooo ahhh hah haha ha! My sides hurt from laughing about this. And actually, at least one Dem is realizing the brilliance of just letting the Democrats step on their own feet!"

I don't know, but I think the Dem you are referring to is actually a covert Freeper posting on the DU. Oops! Did I just "out" a covert clandestine operative??!!

[hispanarepublicana]

I have a vicious combination ailment. Bulnesia. I eat a lot, but I forget to throw up.

[Grampa Dave]

I'm afflicted with the same terrible malady.

Can we get some govermnent subsidies?

[hispanarepublicana]

Bush's fault.

[tobyhill]

As a response to your questions, I would only say,"I heard that too". It doesn't mean I would confirm your argument is true just your argument has been heard. Two facts known says it all. Rove didn't "leak" info and Plame was not covert because she did not fit the LEGAL definition according to the only law in question about leaks of covert ops.

[DaiHuy]

"My wife was not a clandestine officer the day that Bob Novak blew her identity."

But the fact of the matter is, of course, that this is not a Joe Wilson or Valerie Wilson issue. This is an issue of whether or not somebody leaked classified information to the press, who then published it, thereby putting covert operations and a covert officer at some risk.

Does anyone else notice something strange about these two statements, I don't see Karl Rove's name mentioned by Wilson as the person who "blew" Plame's cover.

[savedbygrace]

Well, now she's 60-something trying to look 30-something. Pathetic and clownish.

[Rebelbase]

"I have every right to have the American public know who I am and not to have myself defined by those who would write the sorts of things that are coming out, being spewed out of the mouths of the RNC..."

Hey Joe, I'm not in the RNC but I'll define you as a scum sucking pig whose 15 minutes might turn into 15 months at a Federal "pound me in the ass prison".

[Zacs Mom]

Ref: TITLE 50 > CHAPTER 15 > SUBCHAPTER IV—PROTECTION OF CERTAIN NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATIONTITLE 50 >Protection of identities of certain United States undercover intelligence officers, agents, informants, and sources ~ Definitions § 426

If I read the above referenced 'Definitions' correctly, your point is well taken.

[tobyhill]

He said exactly what he meant, mistake on answering or not! Wolf thought he meant what he said and that's why he followed up for verification. If Wilson didn't mean what he said, he would have clarified it. No One on CNN or FreeRepublic made Wilson answer the way he did but we'll take him at his word this time.

[palmer]

Her name was tied to the company through FEC records. I doubt anyone wanting to determine whether she was CIA would consider that a lack of 'proof.'

Those records are meaningless. Anyone can disclose whatever employer name they want, nobody check or cares unless there's an investigation like this.

Jeebus, this is just getting 'totally ridiculous.' Do you people really believe that it is a good thing that this woman's former NOC status and her former front company's status

What is your evidence for NOC status? The only thing I have seen is Wilson's claim two years ago that she was NOC then, now changed to she was NOC before then. The man has been caught lying several times already.

[kellynla]

GOOD WORK!

I haven't had the time to do the search but as
paragraph (4)(A)(ii) clearly states Plame is NOT COVERED
because she had not served outside the US within 5 years and was not serving outside the US at the time of the disclosure.

The term “covert agent” means—
(A) a present or retired officer or employee of an intelligence agency or a present or retired member of the Armed Forces assigned to duty with an intelligence agency—
(i) whose identity as such an officer, employee, or member is classified information, and
(ii) who is serving outside the United States or has within the last five years served outside the United States"

[lugsoul]

If you want to contend she wasn't NOC, fine - go ahead. Her former supervisor is quoted in the Wash Times saying she was. A former colleague (Larry Johnson) says she was. If you want to call them liars or claim you have some proof that she wasn't NOC, go ahead. But, given that fact that disclosure of details of her cover would likely effect a lot of folks other than her, I doubt you will ever see whatever definitive proof you want to see of her cover. The CIA made a criminal referral - which would be completely frivolous if she wasn't covert at least at some point. The SP has been investigating it for two years. I doubting that there is 'no evidence' she was NOC.