Release of Iraq Report Sought

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON — The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee accused the Bush administration Thursday of suppressing a classified intelligence report that paints a "grim" picture of the situation in Iraq.

Rep. Jane Harman (D-Venice) sent a letter to CIA Director Michael V. Hayden requesting the release of the report and charging that the agency was withholding the information out of political considerations, which she said was demoralizing to the agency's workforce.

"I believe that the intelligence community has produced an in-depth intelligence review of Iraq, but that the material has been stamped 'draft' and will not be finalized" until after the November election, Harman said in the letter, which was released by her office. "The integrity of the organization you lead is at stake."
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In a conference call with reporters, Harman said she had few details on the document, but that she was "confident" that a completed draft was being held at the CIA. She said it should be made available to members of the House Intelligence Committee.

"I know that there is a substantially complete assessment on Iraq," Harman said. "I understand it is grim. I understand many working inside the intelligence community are frustrated because the release of that document is being blocked."

She declined to elaborate on the source of her information. The CIA said it received Harman's letter Thursday, and did not want to respond through the media.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/iraq/complete/la-na-intel6oct06,1,7523229.story