Cheney Discussed Inquiries Into Plame Leak, Obama Administration Trying To Keep Details Secret

WASHINGTON — Vice President Dick Cheney talked with top White House officials about how to respond to reporters' inquiries into who leaked the identity of a CIA operative, according to a court filing.

Cheney told the FBI about his recollection of discussions with his former top aide, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, and other White House officials on the media's questions. But the Obama administration is fighting in court to keep the substance of what Cheney revealed to the FBI from the public.

The FBI interviewed Cheney in 2004 as it was investigating the leak of former CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity to reporters the year before. Her name was revealed after her husband, former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, criticized the Bush administration's prewar intelligence on Iraq.

The leak touched off a lengthy inquiry that led to Libby being convicted on charges of obstruction of justice and lying to investigators about his conversations with reporters. Libby told the FBI it was possible that Cheney ordered him to reveal Plame's identity to the media.

The liberal watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit last year seeking records related to Cheney's FBI interview.

In a court filing Wednesday, Acting Assistant Attorney General David Barron argued that parts of Cheney's interview should be kept secret because they involve confidential deliberations among White House officials. Barron said their disclosure could limit frank and open discussion about matters of national importance in the White House in the future.

He said Cheney's recollection of discussions with Libby, the White House communications director and chief of staff about media inquiries into the Plame leak were among those portions that should be protected. He also included Cheney's discussions with the CIA director about Wilson's trip and his role in resolving disputes about declassifying "certain information" in that category.

Barron's filing was first reported Thursday on The Washington Post's Web site.

Comments

[mudshark12]

"Acting Assistant Attorney General David Barron argued that parts of Cheney's interview should be kept secret because they involve confidential deliberations among White House officials. Barron said their disclosure could limit frank and open discussion about matters of national importance in the White House in the future."
----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------
There must be no more secrets kept from the public so our officials will be forced not to violate the law or do questionable acts. If we don't get this then "transparency" is a sham.

[OpusIsUnderTheBed]

Any two individuals in that White House discussing outing a CIA agent, would be committing conspiracy to commit treason rather than "holding confidential deliberations among White House officials".

[Orwellian]

One of their own long serving intelligence operative can be treasonously outed, but their conversations regarding important details of that betrayal as paid public servants can be kept secret? Outrageous.
So, 'Barron said their disclosure could limit frank and open discussion about matters of national importance in the White House in the future.' Maybe it should, when those frank and open discussions involve elected public servants who may be caught up in something illegal or treasonous against their own.

[OpusIsUnderTheBed]

See above "reply".

[ReedYoung]

What was it they said in defense of their own treasonous searches of electronic communications without warrants? If you're not a terrorist, ex vice president Cheney, then you shouldn't need to keep secrets from us. Conversely, the more secretively you behave, the more we should suspect you of intentionally betraying your country to the terrorists.

[Sassys]

I personally think that both Chaney, Bush, Rove and co should be sent to GITMO...they should be forced to live there for many, many years! Obama needs to get off the crapper on this one for sure!

[longtimegone]

"We cannot justify a government which takes from the people our right to privacy and then assumes for itself a right to total secrecy." Dennis Kucinich, in debate over the Patriot Act

[JackRusselTerrier]

Gotta love Dennis. He's got the guts to tell it like it is. There are too many potitians playing CYA.

[Geria]

I love Dennis. I wanted to vote for him in 2008 for President but he withdrew from the race before California had a chance to vote. What a loss for the country!

[dennisrs]

And Obama is using the same exact excuse that Bush did to prevent the publishing of Whitehouse visitor, Bush and admin. met with Oil execs and Obama meets with Coal Company execs in "secret. What change?

[Ramirez]

Fitzmas !

[Coinyer101]

Conspiracy to commit domestic and International crimes should not be included in 'Private White House discussions'. Sorry, but, that is a crime, no matter whose house yer in! Do your job President Obama and AG Holder, or you'll be looking for new ones.....,

[Polarcap]

and just what domestic and international crimes are those? hmmmm, didn't think you could answer that - intelligently

[Agent420]

And how d..u..m..b are you. Expecting an answer while you are in the middle of a post. M0r0n.

[naschkatze]

How would we know if the evidence is suppressed? Catch-22.

[Coinyer101]

Admitting to torture should be cause enough for arrest and questioning. At least that's the way America used to handle heinous crimes against humanity....,

[dennisrs]

And I bet you expected change ...

[Coinyer101]

I only respond once to 'cons' with less than 10 fans.......,

[Geria]

Let's say it was a hope.

[scubasteve]

I may understand Obama's unnerving Bush-like secrecy movements and decisions. One sure result of an Obama green light for an investigation of BUSH/CHENEY crimes would be an all out Republican effort to come up with some Obama impeachment scenario. I think Obama may be trying to avoid a situation where the country falls into an extremely destructive pattern of investigat­ing/indict­ing previous presidents.

I don't like it, BUSH/CHENEY are war criminals and should be brought to justice, I wonder at what price that may come.

[somsoc]

It will not happen under Obama. It will only happen, if at all, under the Hague.

[Ramirez]

The Hague, huh? Why, something wrong with US law?

Sheesh. If a European army invaded America you people would be throwing flowers in the streets.

[exposure]

Know that half truths and innuendo is the best "we the people" get from the puppets spewing propaganda. Since JFKs death, the rush by the Washington Aristocracy has deteriorated our sovereignty through biased legislation (Enactments and Constitution Adjustments), . The few charged, indicted and/or sentenced (minimal time) over this time period are back on Capitol Hill to claim their just rewards for services "of the cause" rendered. Each president since Kennedy has collectively participated, Democrat or Republican, in Policy to destroy Free Enterprise, Devalue the Dollar, inhibit education, disrupt societal unity, reduce quality in most service fields, transfer our remaining 7% of wealth to less than 1% of the elitists and Strengthen World Banking, WTO, WHO and other 'One World Order Advocacies. If we wait another six months, there will be no authority in America to enact justice nor any source of GDP to regain any semblance of economic stability.

[Geria]

It is more dangerous to our future to let criminals get away with their crimes than to set an unwanted precident. There isn't any reason to fear public scrutiny unless you are trying to get away with something. Government does not have the same Constitutional right to privacy or "priviledge" that citizens do. And look whose rights in this regard are violated by the Patriot Act? It is exactly backwards.

[whybaby]

"Government does not have the same Constitutional right to privacy or "privilege" that citizens do. And look whose rights in this regard are violated by the Patriot Act? It is exactly backwards."

ABSO.FREAK­IN'.LUTELY­, Geria!

[somsoc]

Enough is Enough, President Obama, when are you going to be your own man, when are you going to throw off the Bush/Cheney shackles and stand-up? Where is the transparrancy you promised? When will you deliver an honest and open administration that does not rely on crap like DOMA, FISA, illegal wiretaps, illegal renditions, "state secrets", cover-ups, criminal actions, and violations of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights to justify your administration? WHEN?

[dennisrs]

Also what up with all the czars? Didn't have enough Ambassadorships available?

[argus4]

One can hope that the worst of them meet a similar fate as the Romanovs did in Ekaterinburg. This time, however, it would be wise to mete out that fate in accordance with the law(s).

[Geria]

The only conclusion you can draw from this case and other just like it is that Obama is on the side of government secrecy, unConstitutional and illegal acts by government and executive privilege.

[whybaby]

And I expected to be somewhat disappointed by Obama anyway - since he's neither President Gore nor President Kucinich. But I miss my country, and it breaks my hopeful American heart.

As Nancy Kerrigan said,
WHY? WHY? WHY!!!

[bilding]

Hear! Hear!
All talk and no action.
His response to a tremendous vote of confiidence is tepid at best, and a betrayal of trust at worst.

[Derelict outlaw]

Well I've exhausted myself and all of my indignation now I'm just staying on this thread because of the pic of Bar Raefeli next to the thread.

C ya.

[Whitley2009]

Oh, go somewhere and assert your authorreetie.

[lazercat2008]

PROTECTION OF IDENTITIES OF CERTAIN UNITED STATES UNDERCOVER INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS, AGENTS, INFORMANTS, AND SOURCES
SEC. 601. (a) Whoever, having or having had authorized access to classified information that identifies a covert agent, intentionally discloses any information identifying such covert agent to any individual not authorized to receive classified information, knowing that the information disclosed so identifies such covert agent and that the United States is taking affirmative measures to conceal such covert agent’s intelligence relationship to the United States, shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.

"We need more human intelligence. That means we need more protection for the methods we use to gather intelligence and more protection for our sources, particularly our human sources, people that are risking their lives for their country. Even though I'm a tranquil guy now at this stage of my life, I have nothing but contempt and anger for those who betray the trust by exposing the name of our sources. They are, in my view, the most insidious of traitors." - George H. W. Bush

This Fax Bombshell that Rove and the WH knew about Novak's article 3 days before it was published PROVES INTENT. Intent is the big part of the Intelligence Identities Protection Act. If Bush or CHeney declassified her name they should have notified Plame. But they did not, even though they knew.

[Whitley2009]

If you ever get them in court, they're toast. Problem is getting them before a judge and jury.

[ReedYoung]

Hang 'em.

[lazercat2008]

Who? The stonewalling Obama Administration?

[annie g]

"Barron said their disclosure could limit frank and open discussion about matters of national importance in the White House in the future." Really, what a surprise, but I guess discussing Plame's identity was not a "national importance" since they went public about her being a CIA operative.
There would be no other reason in the world for Cheney and his buddies to discuss anything about Plame except for the fact of getting even with her husband.
If these people are not prosecuted for acts against an operative and other treasonous act, Obama should be ashamed for lying to the American people about transparency in his Administration. What is Obama afraid of? The possibility of the Republicans coming back in power? Does this Adminstration actually think that the Right would not prosecute any in the Democratic Party if the roles had been reversed? This is ludicrous considering during the Bush years they were putting people in prison on trumped up charges ie>Siegelman and even Ramos and Compean, the two border patrol agents. The Bush Administration also fired Federal Attorneys for not prosecuting more Democrats.
I am extremely disappointed in Obama and his Justice Department for allowing anyone in the Bush Administration to get away with these crimes against America.

[Polarcap]

what crimes?

[Derelict outlaw]

Quiet canadian businessman, go away

[Derelict outlaw]

and what if I'm an American who has moved himself and his company to Canada to escape the coming doom brought on by Bambam policies?

I liked your first answer much better...

[ReedYoung]

Right. Since the previous Executive Branch didn't respect national security enough to protect the secret identities of undercover CIA agents for Christ's sake, they are not themselves entitled to any Executive privileges.

[Polarcap]

uh, just to give you a fact or two, though I know this lefty blog is a fact-free zone - anyway, it was the state dept (armitage) who outed the wench, not the exec branch

[ReedYoung]

A fact or two:
SUMMARY: Numerous media figures have asserted that a recent report purportedly identifying former deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage as Robert Novak's original source for Valerie Plame's identity as a CIA operative prove that Karl Rove and I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby were not involved in the leak of her identity. However, Armitage's role as Novak's first source is not inconsistent with Rove's and Libby's involvements in the leak -- both were original sources of the information for two other reporters.
http://mediamatters.org/research/200609010001

And another thing, "pipe down."
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/06/18/armitage-obama-bush/

[dennisrs]

It appears he is protecting (the Bsuh Dept of State) Collin Powell and Richard Armitage who first let that cat (Plame) out of the bag. They told Novak. It may be that Chenny and Libby might have been covering for those two.

[41LC]

The fact that Cheney directed Scooter Libby to leak Valerie Plame's name is a crime. Where is the criminal indictment?

It would seem Obama is determined to protect criminals within the Executive branch. This is extremely disappointing for a man who campaigned on transparency in government.

[lazercat2008]

What is the motivation?

[Polarcap]

there was none - 41 is merely a sop of the fruitcake left

[somsoc]

Revenge by Cheney, he did not like the fact that her husband proved there was no uranium being purchased by Iraq in north Africa.

[lazercat2008]

Good luck proving the Dick knew anything.

[somsoc]

The evidence is already known and in the hands of Holder.

[flossophy]

Here's a conservative's dilemma:

41LC's assertion that Ch3ney directed the leak of Plame is false. Richard Armitage leaked Plame's name.

however...

The fact that 41LC is disillusioned by Obama's non-transparency is useful for the opposition to exploit.

So do we allow the Ch3ney myth to perpetuate to score political points?

[ReedYoung]

It is not for you to decide whether or not to "allow" anything.

"However, Armitage's role as Novak's first source is not inconsistent with Rove's and Libby's involvements in the leak -- both were original sources of the information for two other reporters."
http://mediamatters.org/research/200609010001

Cheney's going to prison, if not to a firing squad.

[lazercat2008]

If that's true how did Rummy know about the leak three days before the article came out?

[somsoc]

According the GHW Bush, the leaking of Plame's name and ID was a form of treason and all evidence available points to Cheney and possibly Dubya.

[dennisrs]

I thought it was Richard Armitage Asst Sec of State to Collin Powel.

From Wikopedia:
On November 15, 2005 journalist Bob Woodward of The Washington Post revealed that "a government official with no axe to grind" leaked to him the identity of outed CIA officer Valerie Plame in mid-June 2003. According to an April 2006 Vanity Fair article (published March 14, 2006), former Washington Post executive editor Ben Bradlee said in an interview "that Armitage is the likely source is a fair assumption," though Bradlee later told the Post that he "[did] not recall making that precise statement" in the interview.[10]

[JohnHKennedy]

"Libby told the FBI it was possible that Cheney ordered him to reveal Plame's identity to the media."

Libby is on the record with the FBI saying
that Cheney masterminded the
outing of a covert CIA Agent,

Sounds like TREASON to me!

WHY IS OBAMA
covering this up?

Push Obama, AG Holder and the Congress
TO PROSECUTE

SIGN THE PETITION
calling for Prosecution

http://ANGRYVOTERS.ORG

Over 250,000 have signed
Join them and call yourself a patriot
.

[MyNameIsJames]

Mr. Kennedy

What are the odds that Obama would do anything about this? ABSOLUTLEY ZERO. Obama wouldn't recommend his AG prosecute --even if there was a murder in the White House during the Bush administration.

[Derelict outlaw]

Dude the quote from the right wing shill from the nether world, Vincent Bugliosi scared me off. Can't hang with anything he thinks is a good thing.

[dennisrs]

JHK--- Just read this one page at Wik-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Armitage_(politician)

[Sassys]

Thank you dude...I have sent in my signature to all these issues. I hope it actually makes a difference!
Angryvoters.com rocks!

[hulka37]

"Libby told the FBI it was possible that Cheney ordered him to reveal Plame's identity to the media"

It was possible? What the Hell is that? Did he work for somebody else that knew her identity and wanted her outed? Libby couldn't have had uncertainty about who ordered him to reveal Plame's identity because as we all know, it was a field of one, Cheney. This crime was a no brainer to prosecute. They pulled the plug on it.