Iraq
The US is now the "occupying power" in Iraq. How is it progressing? What are the patterns ... or contrasts? Are there parallels to Israel's role in the occupied territories?
Friday, September 26, 2003
CIA seeks probe of White House: claims administration revealed the identity of CIA undercover employee in retaliation against the woman’s husband
CIA seeks probe of White House: "CIA seeks probe of White House | Agency asks Justice to investigate leak of employee’s identity |
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 — The CIA has asked the Justice Department to investigate allegations that the White House broke federal laws by revealing the identity of one of its undercover employees in retaliation against the woman’s husband, a former ambassador who publicly criticized President Bush’s since-discredited claim that Iraq had sought weapons-grade uranium from Africa, NBC News has learned.
...
The next week, columnist Robert Novak published an article in which he revealed that Wilson’s wife, Valerie Plame, was a covert CIA operative specializing in weapons of mass destruction. “Two senior administration officials told me Wilson’s wife suggested sending him to Niger to investigate,” Novak wrote.
...
The White House has denied being Novak’s source, whom he has refused to identify. But Wilson has said other reporters have told him White House officials leaked Plame’s identity.
...
... Revealing the identities of covert officials is a violation of two laws, the National Agents’ Identity Act and the Unauthorized Release of Classified Information Act.
Thursday, September 25, 2003
Bush Fails to Gain Pledges on Troops or Funds for Iraq (washingtonpost.com)
Bush Fails to Gain Pledges on Troops or Funds for Iraq (washingtonpost.com): "Bush Fails to Gain Pledges on Troops or Funds for Iraq | National Guard, Reserve May Plug Holes By Dana Milbank and Colum Lynch
Washington Post Staff Writers Thursday, September 25, 2003; Page A01
NEW YORK, Sept. 24 -- President Bush ended two days of meetings with foreign leaders today without winning more international troops or funds for Iraq and with a top aide saying it could take months to achieve a new U.N. resolution backing the U.S. occupation.
Bush's failure to win a promise of fresh soldiers in meetings with the leaders of India and Pakistan -- aides said the president did not even ask -- increased the difficulty the United States will have in assembling another division of foreign troops in Iraq, which senior Pentagon officials say is the minimum needed to relieve overstretched U.S. forces.
