Posted on 02/11/2006 5:02:08 PM PST by Indy Pendance
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Federal agents have interviewed officials at several law enforcement and national security agencies in a criminal investigation into The New York Times' disclosure of a U.S. domestic eavesdropping program, the newspaper reported.
In a story posted to its Web site to appear in its Sunday editions, The Times said the investigation was focused on circumstances surrounding its disclosure late last year of the highly classified program.
Officials and others interviewed by the Times said the investigation seemed to lay the groundwork for a grand jury inquiry and possible criminal charges, the Times said.
Many described the investigation as aggressive and fast moving, with the initial focus on identifying government officials who have had contacts with Times reporters, particularly those in the newspaper's Washington bureau.
It said an FBI team had questioned employees at the FBI, the National Security Agency, the Justice Department, the CIA and the office of the Director of National Intelligence, and that prosecutors had taken steps to activate a grand jury.
President George W. Bush has condemned the leak as a "shameful act" and CIA Director Porter Goss told a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on February 2:
"It is my aim, and it is my hope that we will witness a grand jury investigation with reporters present being asked to reveal who is leaking this information."
The Times characterized the case as one that pits the government, for which "the investigation represents an effort to punish those responsible for a serious security breach" and news outlets, for which the inquiry threatens confidentiality of sources "and the ability to report on controversial national security issues free of government interference."
The newspaper's executive editor, Bill Keller, said no one at the paper had been contacted in connection with the investigation, and defended the Times' reporting on the story.
"What our reporting has done is set off an intense national debate about the proper balance between security and liberty," Keller said in the story.
Civil liberties groups, Democratic lawmakers and even some Republicans have called for an inquiry into the eavesdropping program, saying it appears to have circumvented the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which requires court approval for eavesdropping on U.S. citizens.
Former Vice President Al Gore has called for a special prosecutor to investigate the government's use of the program, and Michigan Democratic Rep. John Conyers Jr. has said the eavesdropping effort might amount to an impeachable offense.
Among statutes being reviewed by Justice Department investigators are espionage laws that prohibit the disclosure, dissemination or publication of national security information, the Times said.
Grey_whiskers' corollary:
Those who would sacrifice security for "liberty" deserve neither :-)
Cheers!
How 'bout "Those who would quote John Conyers deserve derision"?
I would hope that those who leaked this highly classified information to the NY Slimes will be prosecuted and incarcerated.
how about - hang 'em after the fair trial
In fact, it is the exact opposite. All of the "classified" information I've come across in the NY Times stories is far from classified.
Seems giving up sources was okay when they felt they had someone to go after for Valerie Plame. Only one I can think of stood her ground and her reasons for that remain questionable.
"The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it." -- Albert Einstein
"In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." -- Martin Luther King, Jr.
"No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation." -- General Douglas MacArthur
And one of the best I think;
In the beginning of a change the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." -- Mark Twain The change being standing up to the Liberal elite that have drawn our great nation deep into the bowels of Socilasim.
Wasn't that what the Clinton administration said after the Kenya and Tanzania embassies were bombed? Wasn't that what the Clinton administration said after the bombing of the USS Cole? Isn't that what Democrats have been saying since 9/11? If we don't find a way to stop the leaks, they'll continue until we have NO security left.
Not to mention those who sacrifice OUR security, for THEIR political purposes.
I hope they find each leaker, both in the intel agencies, NYTimes AND Congress and throw the book at them.
The proceedings of these cases are matters of public record, so they'd hardly be "classified" in any sense of the word.
re-read bttt
The thing I really like about the FreeRepublic.com is that there are experts on everything posting their insight every day! A Canadian's insight into US National Security Information matters is particularly helpful to the discussion. About as helpful as an Alberta Clipper.
So it the "long and sober consideration" results in the conclusion that "disclosing the program would damage the country's counter-terrorism efforts." The New York Times solution is .... What? They have set themselves up as the dictator of the outcome. Is that free press or sedition?
Switched the title as well. I hate that they do that. Thanks for the link.
Hope they nail the leakers. The left thinks they can release classified material with impunity and use it for political purposes.
If nothing else, this practice needs to stop.
If this was 1947 or so, the guilty parties involved would be executed. No question. Then again, so would have Sandy Berger, for theft, destruction and forgery of Federal documents relating to an enemy attack on America. That he got a slap on the wrist and then worst the perps here will do is lose their jobs and get a book deal, is a testament to how low this nation has sunk.
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