[Howlin]

I wasn't aware that the CIA went outside to find people to check up on them -- especially ONE GUY.

[NeoCaveman]

I wasn't aware that the CIA went outside to find people to check up on them -- especially ONE GUY.

I wasn't either. The CIA has some 'splaining to do.

[Dick Vomer]

State department is used as intro to foreign country. He was probably picked to manage the on sight acquisition and interpretation of info and then forward it to CIA for further review. Unfortunatly this little weasel was already stuck in an out of the way place but was able to stir up trouble. Africa is the empty cul-de-sac of the State Department except for some high profile areas. Niger isn't one of them..

Career diplomats are basically bootlickers with tongues the size of elephants firmly planted on the rear end of the next guy up the food chain.

[Mo1]

I wasn't aware that the CIA went outside to find people to check up on them -- especially ONE GUY.

According to Tenet it was CIA's counter-proliferation experts

Text of CIA Director Tenet's Statement http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/944614/posts

In an effort to inquire about certain reports involving Niger, CIA's counter-proliferation experts, on their own initiative, asked an individual with ties to the region to make a visit to see what he could learn.