Frist Worried About Leak, Not Prisons

AP on Yahoo ^ | 11/10/05 | Jonathan Katz - ap

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON - Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist says he is more concerned about the leak of information regarding secret CIA detention centers than activity in the prisons themselves.

Frist told reporters Thursday that while he believed illegal activity should not take place at detention centers, he believes the leak itself poses a greater threat to national security and is "not concerned about what goes on" behind the prison walls.

"My concern is with leaks of information that jeopardize your safety and security — period," Frist said. "That is a legitimate concern."

He noted that the CIA has also called for a federal criminal investigation into the leak of possibly classified information on secret prisons to The Washington Post. A Nov. 2 Post article touched on a number of sensitive national security issues, including the existence of secret CIA detention centers for suspected terrorists in Eastern European democracies. The Bush administration has neither confirmed nor denied that report.

Frist was asked if that meant he was not concerned about investigating what goes on in detention centers.

"I am not concerned about what goes on and I'm not going to comment about the nature of that," Frist replied.

He added that as Senate majority leader he is privy to classified information and discussions about prison activity. "I'm going to make sure that everything that's done is consistent with the Constitution ... and the laws of the United States of America," he said.

Frist and House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., wrote the leaders of the House and Senate intelligence committees earlier this week calling for a joint congressional investigation into the leak.

"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 said, referring to the leak.

The Post's story said the CIA has been hiding and interrogating some of its most important al-Qaida captives at a Soviet-era compound in Eastern Europe, part of a covert prison system set up by the agency four years ago that at various times has included sites in eight countries. Those countries, the Post said, include several democracies.

[inkling]

"AP worried about Bush, not Al Qaeda."

[NormsRevenge]

Ya gotta love the ap.. spin spin spin

[samtheman]

Can you believe it? A US Senator who cares more about the survival of the US than about the comfort of mass-murdering criminals?

[L98Fiero]

"A US Senator who cares more about the survival of the US than about the comfort of mass-murdering criminals?"

Yeah, the left just can't wrap their minds around that one.

[BreitbartSentMe]

You know, isn't that what the Democrats told us what was important, way back when those Rockefeller documents were discovered outlining the Democrats plans on opposing judicial nominees and the war? That what the memos talked about wasn't the issue, it was the fact that staffers had 'viewed them illegally and leaked them' - that was what should be investigated??? Sauce - Goose - Gander - and all that....

[ex-snook]

"he believes the leak itself poses a greater threat to national security and is "not concerned about what goes on" behind the prison walls."

Spoken like a true REMF.

[blaise]

Frist is so lame... I thought he and Hastert were going to launch investigations... then he said he hadn't signed the request.. and now the Dems are trying to "widen" the probe (i.e. screw the Bush admin.)..

[Phantom Lord]

And when the leaker is found, what does Frist propose be done to the leaker? And then when found to be a republican, does his propostion of punishment change?

[nuffsenuff]

REMF?

[hsalaw]

REMF?

[Political Junkie Too]

When the Senate Democrat memos on Intelligence and Judiciary strategies were leaked, where were the stories on "Democrats worried about leaks, not memos" stories?

-PJ

[evets]

rear-echelon motherf----r

[ex-snook]

REMF - Term applied by troops to those in no danger.

[river rat]

Folks, When the SHTF, I hope you all REMEMBER the roles and positions that MSM, DNC, RINOS, most of Hollywood and the run of mill leftist rabble rousers and racists have played in assisting enemies of the Republic..

It will be a target rich enviornment -- discipline will be required to address all threats..

Semper Fi

[gg188]

Frist told reporters Thursday that while he believed illegal activity should not take place at detention centers, he believes the leak itself poses a greater threat to national security and is "not concerned about what goes on" behind the prison walls.

Any bets on how long before Frist and the party apologize and beg for forgiveness?

[Nick5]

That's "alledged mass-murdering criminals" to you, sir.

The Constitution was meant to be a universalist document: it was meant to be a beacon to the world. That includes due process. I'm a patriot because of the ideals we're fighting for.

LET JUSTICE BE DONE THOUGH THE WORLD PERISH.

[NormsRevenge]

In the end. I have faith that God will keep his promises... unlike politcians and diplomats and despots.

[DarthVader]

discipline will be required to address all threats..


and whole lot of ammunition.

[BikerNYC]

The Post's story said the CIA has been hiding and interrogating some of its most important al-Qaida captives at a Soviet-era compound in Eastern Europe, part of a covert prison system set up by the agency four years ago that at various times has included sites in eight countries.

Oh, lord. Couldn't they have picked non-Soviet-era compounds in non-Eastern European nations?