Cheney says has power to declassify information; could help CIA leak defen

[sabra]

http://www3.cjad.com/content/cp_article.asp?id=/global_feeds/CanadianPress/WorldNews/w021589A.htm

Cheney says has power to declassify information; could help CIA leak defence


WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney disclosed Wednesday he has the power to declassify sensitive government information, authority that could set up a criminal defence for his former chief of staff, Lewis (Scooter) Libby.

...

At the time of Libby's contacts with reporters in June and July 2003, the administration including Cheney, who was among the war's most ardent proponents, faced growing criticism. No weapons of mass destruction had been found in Iraq and President George W. Bush's supporters were anxious to show the White House had relied on prewar intelligence projecting a strong threat from such weapons.

When Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald revealed Libby's assertions to a grand jury that he had been authorized by his superiors to spread sensitive information, the prosecutor did not specify which superiors.

...

"I have certainly advocated declassification. I have participated in declassification decisions," Cheney said, while refusing to elaborate.
A legal expert said Cheney's TV appearance could foreshadow a Libby defence.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. He can declassify, but he cannot permit others

to divulge still classified materials.

and that is what he did

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. How interesting. And over the weekend, he shoots a lawyer.

He always seems to find a loophole.

[mike_c]

2. I don't believe this for a moment....

The identity of covert intel agents is protected by federal statute, not just the whim of the executive. I don't believe anyone can legally "declassify" the identity of a covert agent. This is more of the Bush/Cheney administration's belief that laws don't apply to them, IMO.

[napi21]

5. Here's a link to the Ex order he was referring to.

http://www.fas.org/sgp/bush/eoamend.html

It was posted here earlier by MSgt213.

It's written in legalese, but at least to me it looks like the power to declassify info rests with the party who originally classsified it. At the very least, I think he would have to get the OK from the CIA to declassify a covert agent!

[rodeodance]

8. thanks

[dubya_dubya_III]

11. ROTFLMAO ----------- ----------- March 25, 2003?

is this like a week after they discovered they were screwed?


The 2003 Invasion of Iraq began on March 20, these leaks were
all ancient history by then....

no cigar

[bpilgrim]

4. even IF he does... he still OUTED a CIA officer tracking WMD's

and put EVERY american man, woman & child in mortal DANGER (not to mention the agent and her contacts)

peace

[Roland99]

6. He'll declassify stuff to help his buddy Libby, not to help Democracy

[MadMaddie]

13. With the repugs...It's always Party before Country

This is what the dems need to hammer into the public consciousness.

All of the repugs actions during their time in office has been about themselves, corporations, cronies, eroding Americans rights to their benefit.

This is treasonous.....:banghead:

[rodeodance]

7. here is the relative transcript from today:

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/15/cheney.transcript/

Question: On another subject, court filings have indicated that Scooter Libby has suggested that his superiors -- unidentified -- authorized the release of some classified information. What do you know about that?

Cheney: It's nothing I can talk about, Brit. This is an issue that's been under investigation for a couple of years. I've cooperated fully, including being interviewed, as well, by a special prosecutor. All of it is now going to trial. Scooter is entitled to the presumption of innocence. He's a great guy. I've worked with him for a long time, have enormous regard for him. I may well be called as a witness at some point in the case and it's, therefore, inappropriate for me to comment on any facet of the case.

Question: Let me ask you another question. Is it your view that a vice president has the authority to declassify information?

Cheney: There is an executive order to that effect.

Question: There is.

Cheney: Yes.

Question: Have you done it?

Cheney: Well, I've certainly advocated declassification and participated in declassification decisions. The executive order --

Question: You ever done it unilaterally?

Cheney: I don't want to get into that. There is an executive order that specifies who has classification authority, and obviously focuses first and foremost on the president, but also includes the vice president.

Question: There have been two leaks, one that pertained to possible facilities in Europe; and another that pertained to this NSA matter. There are officials who have had various characterizations of the degree of damage done by those. How would you characterize the damage done by those two reports?

[Tin Man]

18. thanks for posting this, rodeo

This particular passage caught my eye (and earlier my ear, listening to the Hume interview on Faux)

Cheney: Well, I've certainly advocated declassification and participated in declassification decisions. The executive order --

Question: You ever done it unilaterally?

Cheney: I don't want to get into that. There is an executive order that specifies who has classification authority, and obviously focuses first and foremost on the president, but also includes the vice president.

[Mandate My Ass]

21. OMFG!! Hume segues into the whistleblower leaks of gov't

corruption (NSA and secret CIA prisons), claiming they caused damage, thereby making the Cheney claim of official, above-board declassification of Plame's identity seem legit although it actually harmed national security.

At the same time he tars legitimate whistleblowers who exposed illegal activities of Bushco as unpatriotic and dangerous to national security although there is no evidence that either was minimally effective, not to mention unconstitutional and in direct violation of international law.

WTG! :eyes:

[aquart]

22. So was it George and Dick who gave themselves the power

To declassify anything they feel like? For however long they feel like it, and to whomever they feel like?

[Kittycat]

9. I doubt seriously this will stand...

So now he's allowed to declassify information on the sole basis of discrediting and smearing his opposition? Somehow I think not.

[peacetalksforall]

10. This is kidding, right? Declassify an active CIA investigative unit?

Please tell me we're kidding.

Please don't forget it appears he is into wmd trading. Brewster-Jennings was investigating the trafficking of wmd.

What gall!

[dubya_dubya_III]

12. If the ultimate Constitutional overseers of the CIA can't do it....

- And according to our Constitution that is Congress' sole authority alone, as it pertains to Letters of Marque, then how on earth can the Executive do it? Even if this unconstitutional executive order were valid, it was made up after the crimes took place.

[Tin Man]

19. you're forgetting what Gonzo said - it's wartime, therefore the executive

...can do anything necessary to preserve the nation. Voila - Cheney can do anything he wants.

[dubya_dubya_III]

20. Taliban defeated -war over

Sorry I forgeot that the War on Palestinian Freedom Fighters Terror was still on LOL

Liberate Jerusalem for all three faiths - there is only a 3 State 'solution'.

[EarlG]

14. Interesting...

If we're talking about Plame, then the implication is that he declassified the information before giving it to Libby. But did he? Or did he just give him classified information and tell him to go spread it around? Is there a difference? Seems like there would be to me. If Plame's identity was declassified by Cheney (assuming it's legal for him to do that) wouldn't there be a record of that somewhere?

How is declassification done officially? Is it just as simple as Cheney saying "Okay, this information is now declassified?" I'd think there'd be more to it than that.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

15. From what I heard of Fitzgerald, this was outing a CIA Agent

He was extremely adament about the crime. The quesion is how to prove who committed it.

[EFerrari]

16. I really hope the Cabal goes with this. Because I want to hear

their response to Fitz when he asks: "When you declassified Plame's status, what steps did you take to insure the operational safety of Ms. Plame AND HER WHOLE NETWORK?"

[peacetalksforall]

23. Excellent. Kick! n/t

[fob]

17. Is he admitting he AIDED and HELPED the "terrarists" then?

Sounds like he's down to playing maybe his las card cuz THAT ain't a very purdy "defense" iffin' you ask me

He declassified undercver CIA op IN A TIME OF WAR to over his own ass?

What a DICK!!

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

24. Shitty defense

Even if this were true and he escapes prosecution (which I doubt) the * administration is effectively nuetered.

[HuffleClaw]

25. utter and complete rubbish

more criminal spin from the criminals who perpetrated this crime. sickening.

[dusmcj]

26. Heil dem Bunkerfuehrer ! He can also pull bunnies out of hats

and make time run backwards. Ain't it great to be the king ? We should all be proud to be his pissboys.