Posted on 10/23/2007 2:29:22 AM PDT by yoe
Two influential Republican members of the U.S. House have castigated the Bush administration for failing to brief Congress on Israeli bombing of a suspected nuclear facility in Syria last month.
In an op-ed piece in Saturday’s Wall Street Journal, Rep. Peter Hoekstra of Michigan, senior GOP member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, the senior Republican member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote:
“[The Bush administration] has thrown an unprecedented veil of secrecy around the Israeli air strike. It has briefed only a handful of very senior members of Congress, leaving the vast majority of foreign relations and intelligence committee members in the dark.
“We are among the very few who were briefed, but we have been sworn to secrecy on this matter. However, we are prepared to state, based on what we have learned, that it is critical for every member of Congress to be briefed on this incident, and as soon as possible.
“We are concerned that, although the Bush administration refuses to discuss the Israeli air strike with the American people or with the majority of Congress, it has not hesitated to give information on background to the press to shape this story to its liking…
“We want to remind President Bush that the Constitution invests Congress with various powers and authority over foreign policy.”
Referring to a recent agreement under which North Korea would disable its nuclear facilities in return for oil shipments – and to reports that Pyongyang was linked to the nuclear facility in Syria – the two members of Congress stated:
“The proposed deals with North Korea will involve substantial expenditures of U.S. funds to pay for heavy fuel oil deliveries. Congress will be asked to approve the authorization of funds for this expenditure. We cannot carry out our duties when we are being denied information about these critical national security matters…
“We regret that the administration has ignored numerous letters from Congress asking that all members be briefed on the Israeli air strike. Failing to disclose the details of this incident to the legislative branch, preventing due diligence and oversight -- but talking to the press about it -- is not the way to win support for complex and difficult diplomatic efforts to combat proliferation by rogue nations.”
The day after the op-ed piece was published, Hoekstra and Rep. Jane Harman of California – who chairs the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence – appeared on CNN’s “Late Edition” with Wolf Blitzer.
Hoekstra reiterated his call for the Bush administration to divulge to Congress details about the Israeli strike and the alleged Syrian-North Korean program.
But when asked if she had been briefed, Harman said: “I know what I know from the public media.”
Blitzer said: “But you're the chair of this important intelligence subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee. Have they briefed you?”
Harman answered: “No, they have not briefed me on what went on in northern Syria … I've had some conversations with Peter, but he's not free to reveal classified information even to me, although I have the clearances. That's just how the thing works.”
Asked by Blitzer if the reported North Korean link to the Syrian facility “raises alarm bells” for him, Hoekstra replied:
“Absolutely. I mean what we've found through the '90s and what we have found through the Bush administration is that the North Koreans, they'll always make deal, but the other thing that we'll see consistently is that they will break those agreements.”
Yeah, that’s all we need. Provide critical intel to jagoffs like Leahy, Murtha, et al. Perfectly brilliant idea there....
Ileana Dingbat Ros-Lehtinen is an illegal alien-loving, anti-oil-drilling waste of skin. The only thing she’s good for is pro-life issues.
Bigger than we thought...
They can get their info from Putin, just like their fellow travelers.
If asked to trust one person to protect conservative (read: American) values and was given a choice between Hoekstra and Bush (Jr. or Sr.), I am afraid I would have to pick Hoekstra.
Giving information concerning national security to congress was probably something that was at one time a secure thing to do. Congresscritters used to view the national security of the nation as any loyal citizen would. That was then, this is now. Telling the traitors in the demoncrap party anything to do with national security only gives them a tool to cynically use against America, for the benefit of their global socialist masters.
Sorry about the rant, it’s early here. First cup of joe ya know.
It is fashionable on this site and many others to flame every single conservative politician who does not exactly match the ideology of every flamer. I would not be afraid to pick Hoekstra, in very many, if not all, instances he has been on the right side of the most important issue of our time the war against islamic trash. He is one of the few bright political spots that Michigan has to offer at this time. I believe he will come home to run for governor, or ideally to take out that vile piece of trash and terror fellow traveler, Karl Lenin.
Sac but true.
The traitors in both parties would love to give the MSM information on American Military or Allies moves ahead of time.
Does anybody else remember the Marine landing in Somali?
The MSM had search lights on the landing and were just lucky that a Muslim gang leader did not have a snipper take out a few marines.
I think in the case of the MSM putting our fine Military at risk, would have justified shooting out all of the search lights and too bad for the collateral damages.
Tell more politicians about something SECRET?
Best way to get it out to the world is tell a politician it’s SECRET and don’t tell anybody.
How come Congress was briefed on a Israeli operation?
You may well be correct but if he were to be briefed so would every Dem on that committee. They have proven beyond a shadow of doubt they are not fit to receive that kind of information.
Well, after being sworn to secrecy, Pete is revealing it now. Just making this kind of statement illustrates why the ‘need to know’ has to be VERY limited.
Selected members were briefed.
The media has been briefed on background.
One of President Bush’s first actions after the Sept 11, 2001 attacks was to announce that Congress would no longer be privy to Classified National Security information.
He shoulda stuck to his guns on that one......
What was leaked in this piece?
Bush briefed select members of Congress.
Just not everyone.
And with the way Congress leaks, it’s no wonder!
” What was leaked in this piece? “
Nothing — which demonstrates that not briefing Congress works.... ;~)
Harman answered: “No, they have not briefed me on what went on in northern Syria … I've had some conversations with Peter, but he's not free to reveal classified information even to me, although I have the clearances. That's just how the thing works.”
Is there some reason why a Congressman on the Homeland Security Commission needs briefed on an Israeli strike in Syria?
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