RAW: Lautenberg: Don't grant immunity to witnesses over CIA leak

[Goldmund]

The following letter was issued by Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) to the Republican chairmen of the respective intelligence committees in the House and Senate regarding hearings they plan to hold on the outing of CIA operative Valerie Plame Wilson, acquired by RAW STORY.

Dear Chairman Roberts and Chairman Hoekstra:

It is my understanding that both the Senate and House Intelligence Committees intend to conduct hearings on our nation’s intelligence agencies and the use of covert agents. While I applaud your Committee’s efforts to investigate the Plame affair, I urge you to not provide an opportunity for any wrongdoers to escape culpability for criminal actions that may have put our national security at risk.

As you know, Congress has the power to grant immunity to witnesses who appear before its committees. However we must be mindful of the warning delivered by Independent Counsel Lawrence Walsh at the end of his seven-year investigation into the Iran-Contra affair. His investigation was hampered, and the convictions of Oliver North and John Poindexter overturned on appeal, due to immunity granted by Congress in exchange for testimony before Iran-contra committees. Walsh advised that Congress should think carefully before granting immunity, and be cognizant that “if it wants to compel testimony by granting immunity, it has to realize that the odds are very strong that it’s going to kill any resulting criminal prosecution.”

The leaked identity of a covert officer of the United States is a serious matter and should be fully investigated. Those responsible for the leak should be prosecuted for their involvement. Although Congress can and should independently investigate this leak and any efforts to cover-up the leak in the White House, such an investigation should not serve to relieve any White House official of culpability for criminal wrongdoing.

Sincerely,

FRANK R. LAUTENBERG

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Senator_Dont_grant_immunity_to_witnesses_over__0803.html

[Spinzonner]

1. Our morally upstanding Republican Party wouldn't do such a thing

:sarcasm:

[H2O Man]

2. Good post.

Thanks for sharing this with us.

[Gloria]

3. OH, so this is how we'll get screwed on this!!!!!

Dems shouldn't acquiesce to this crap...if they do, forget the damned hearings!!! They'll be sham hearings anyway...

[The Night Owl]

4. It is amazing that Lautenberg has to send such a letter...

It is amazing that Lautenberg has to send such a letter, but he does.

[montanacowboy]

5. Another Reason for Fitz to get these indictments

out NOW - the longer he waits, the more the repukes will figure out ways to get the monsters off the hook and that is exactly what they are going to do - just another page from the playbook of Bush I/Ronnie.

He should get this wrapped up right away, or he is in danger of looking like an impotent fool - these wingers in congress are planning as we speak to totally marginalize him and his his hard work.

And when Rovie et al go before the "congressional investigation" they will lie, lie, lie, and spin and lie, and it will be OK!!!!!!!

end of story.

[savemefromdumbya]

6. The only Senator not on the beach

Strange how our other Senators are 'missing' when it comes to action in the summer. This Senator is really on the job - great!


Another RAW quote: "For two years, the assistant who answered Rove's phone was a woman who had previously worked for lobbyist Jack Abramoff, a close friend of Norquist's and a top DeLay fundraiser"

[Just Me]

7. I have to commend the Democrats for being so conscienscious,...

,...about building a complete record of everything that has occured over the last several years. :patriot:

[wli]

8. Iran-Contra redux?

Go figure.