US refuses comment on UN spying charges

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040227/pl_afp/us_iraq_un_spy&cid=1521&ncid=1473

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The White House refused to comment on whether the United States spied on UN Secretary General Kofi Annan (news - web sites) or urged any allies to do so, amid charges that Britain did so ahead of the war in Iraq (news - web sites).


"I don't comment on national security matters such as intelligence," spokesman Scott McClellan said when asked whether Washington had eavesdropped on Annan's conversations or encouraged other nations to do so.


Asked whether he was stopping short of a denial, McClellan said "I don't think you should look at that either way. We do not discuss our intelligence matters."


British Prime Minister Tony Blair (news - web sites) has come under pressure to come clean on allegations that Britain spied on Annan ahead of the US-led March 2003 invasion of Iraq to topple Saddam Hussein (news - web sites).

more

[Bonhomme Richard]

1. Weasels, pure and simple.

I've been waiting to see how they respond to the eavesdropping story. No suprise they responded like they do to everything.
They really are like rats when you turn on the lights. Scrambling over each other to get back to the darkness.

[Just Me]

2. I wonder whether the US will now rate "F" on accountability/transparency?

It seems to me we have the least accountable and transparent executive governance EVER!!!! What other forms of governing have such opaque ruling than despots, fascists, dictators, etc?

I no longer have to wonder why Franks suggested that martial law may be necessary during this administration. Freakin' F-up'd Franks.

[Hokie]

3. Balir and Bush caught with their hands in the cookie jar

Like cockroaches who will run for cover once the light is turned on Blair and now Bush take cover behind not discussing intelligence matters now that they have been caught red handed spying on Blix and Annan. What despicable characters Bush and Blair are. They spit upon international law.

[Cooley Hurd]

4. Why did this take a year to resurface?

The cat was out of the bag last March about this...

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/iraq/story/0,12239,905936,00.html">Observer UK: Revealed: US dirty tricks to win vote on Iraq war

[warrior1]

5. I'll bet..eom.

.

[Hokie]

6. The link will not work for me

I thought I remembered this coming up before. Thanks for posting. I will check the link later.

[DoYouEverWonder]

10. Here's a link for the above story

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/iraq/story/0,12239,905936,00.html

[bemildred]

7. "national security matters such as intelligence"

Or the lack of it.

Better is "We do not discuss our intelligence", although
that's out of context, unfortunately.

[UpInArms]

8. as though they had any

:crazy:

How can they discuss an attribute they do not possess?

[bemildred]

9. X act lie. nt

[bobthedrummer]

13. George W. Bush spoke to the press at Camp David 9-15-01,

in hindsight, I, for one, can see the traitors making the most of the victims of 9/11 to advance both PNAC and the preplanned Iraq war. LIHOP.

Here is what THE WAR PRESIDENT, George W. Bush said about his brain trust in national security:

"This is an administration that will not talk about how we gather intelligence, how we know what we're going to do, nor what our plans are.".

[bemildred]

14. Essentially fascist in viewpoint.

The state is all, accountable to the people only when it
wishes. Louis XIV would be comfortable with it, and so would
the long litany of totalitarian states since his time.

At some time we need to resolve the question "Does the government
serve us, or do we serve them?" Who is the master here?

[DoYouEverWonder]

11. Someone needs to ask him about the Koza Memo

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/iraq/story/0,12239,905954,00.html

Sunday March 2, 2003

To:
From: FRANK KOZA, Def Chief of Staff (Regional Targets)
CIV/NSA
Sent on Jan 31 2003 0:16
Subject: Reflections of Iraq Debate/Votes at UN-RT Actions + Potential for Related Contributions
Importance: HIGH
Top Secret//COMINT//X1

All,

As you've likely heard by now, the Agency is mounting a surge particularly directed at the UN Security Council (UNSC) members (minus US and GBR of course) for insights as to how to membership is reacting to the on-going debate RE: Iraq, plans to vote on any related resolutions, what related policies/ negotiating positions they may be considering, alliances/ dependencies, etc - the whole gamut of information that could give US policymakers an edge in obtaining results favorable to US goals or to head off surprises. In RT, that means a QRC surge effort to revive/ create efforts against UNSC members Angola, Cameroon, Chile, Bulgaria and Guinea, as well as extra focus on Pakistan UN matters.

more....

[dennis4868]

12. SO....

anytime Bush is accused of anything the WH will simply say, "I will not comment on national security matters." Sheeesh! Can you imagine Clinton getting away with this crap?

[LiberalFighter]

15. Does that mean we should say...

"We will not comment on gw* because he is a deserter, liar and threat to American democracy"