WP: Justice to Begin Leak Interviews Within Days

[kskiska]

Friday, October 3, 2003; Page A01

Justice Department investigators plan to begin interviewing Bush administration officials within days in an effort to swiftly identify anyone who may have leaked the identity of a covert CIA agent, a department official said yesterday.

"We will move quickly to interview likely suspects in the next few days," the official said. He declined to provide names, but said the first interviews will be with officials whose names have surfaced in news reports as possible sources of the information.

The move appears intended to short-circuit Democratic calls for the appointment of a special counsel and avoid what could otherwise be a long and politically damaging investigation. Moreover, a decision to begin interviewing officials immediately could increase pressure on a leaker to step forward promptly or risk charges of lying to investigators.

Justice officials also said they plan to add the Defense and State departments to the list of agencies that will be the focus of the criminal investigation. Officials in those departments will be sent letters, like the one the White House received this week, asking them to preserve phone logs, e-mail and other records that could relate to the leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity to columnist Robert D. Novak.

(snip)

"Everybody needs to have a good abogado," Bush said, drawing laughter as he used the Spanish word for "lawyer." "I've got a really good one," he added, to more laughter. "Al Gonzales is my lawyer and close friend."

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34898-2003Oct2.html

[UnAmericanJoe]

1. Odd...

I was under the assumption that only those who break the law need a good "abogado"

You live in a strange little world Georgie.

[diplomats]

2. Of course, he thinks this whole thing is a joke

:eyes:

[diplomats]

3. I'm glad to see they're moving quickly

It sounds like the Dem calls for an independent counsel are having an effect. It'll be fascinating to see what happens because it's obvious the leak goes way up in this admin.

[rocketdem]

4. Yeah, quickly -- three months late

Novak published his article in mid-July.

The interviews won't be occuring until mid-October.

That fact alone is sufficient evidence for the need of an independent counsel.

[truthisfreedom]

5. that delay gave them all time to install norton utilities and use the old

"government wipe" setting to clear off all the data from their computers, and shred all the papers, and get their stories straight. this is the government of pure, unadulterated corruption.

[AndyTiedye]

6. There is a Name for That

"Obstruction of Justice", and the trail for that may lead all the way to the top!

[0007]

10. 100 days time would be enough

leeway to change out hard drives and clean up the paper trail and get classy attorneys like the James Baker kind, and the much needed spin doctors to trash the democratic party.

[Unknown Known]

7. Take all the time you need fellas

I'm sure Mr. Tenet has a few documents himself.:nuke:

[farmboxer]

8. The Fox Guarding The Hen House!

Asscroft will do nothing but cover up for the Fuhrer!

[cthrumatrix]

9. This could take a long time....the "cloud" over shrub's head grows daily

[robbedvoter]

11. Note W's use of the threat/dare McClellan lavished on reporters:

Bush said, "By the way, if you know
anything, Martin, would you please bring it forward and help solve the problem?"

That spells: "Do you dare name Karl Rove Martin? Do you? Make my day! Bring them on!"