BUSH CAUGHT IN PLAME CHAIN OF EVENTS (New Fitz Disclosure)

[kpete]

Bush Said to Have Cleared Early Release of Iraq Intelligence to Times
New York Sun Web Exclusive

By JOSH GERSTEIN - Staff Reporter of the Sun
April 6, 2006 updated 8:04 am EDT


A former White House aide under indictment for obstructing a leak probe, I. Lewis Libby, testified to a grand jury that he gave information from a closely-guarded "National Intelligence Estimate" on Iraq to a New York Times reporter in 2003 with the specific permission of President Bush, according to a new court filing from the special prosecutor in the case.

The court papers from the prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald, do not suggest that Mr. Bush violated any law or rule. However, the new disclosure could be awkward for the president because it places him, for the first time, directly in a chain of events that led to a meeting where prosecutors contend the identity of a CIA employee, Valerie Plame, was provided to a reporter.

Mr. Fitzgerald's inquiry initially focused on the alleged leak, which occurred after a former ambassador who is Ms. Plame's husband, Joseph Wilson, wrote an op-ed piece in the New York Times questioning the accuracy of statements Mr. Bush made about Iraq's nuclear procurement efforts in Africa.

No criminal charges have been brought for the leak itself, but Mr. Libby, a former chief of staff to Vice President Cheney, was indicted in October on charges that he obstructed the investigation, perjured himself in front of the grand jury, and lied to FBI agents who interviewed him. Mr. Libby, who resigned from the White House and pleaded not guilty, is scheduled to go on trial in January 2007.

more at:
http://www.nysun.com/article/30561
http://www.nysun.com/30561.pdf

[acmejack]

1. Oh my!

[bullimiami]

2. of course bush knew. they are all filthy in conspiricy, coverup and lies

but to prove it is the hard part.

[Tin Man]

3. GWB: "I will not tolerate leaks in the Whitehouse"

...unless it's me!

[Supersedeas]

16. this probably comes as a shock to Corporate Media types who worship

the image that Rove created

[Amonester]

56. It's That Darn 'Sick' Pattern Of His Again (Me, Me, Me).

"If this were a dictatorship, it'd be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator." - **

http://www.newsgateway.ca/bush_dictator.htm

[Lasher]

4. 'I want to know the truth,' president tells reporters

Bush welcomes probe of CIA leak
Wednesday, February 11, 2004

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush said Tuesday he welcomes a Justice Department investigation into who revealed the classified identity of a CIA operative.

"If there's a leak out of my administration, I want to know who it is," Bush told reporters at an impromptu news conference during a fund-raising stop in Chicago, Illinois. "If the person has violated law, that person will be taken care of.

"I welcome the investigation. I am absolutely confident the Justice Department will do a good job.

"I want to know the truth," the president continued. "Leaks of classified information are bad things."

He added that he did not know of "anybody in my administration who leaked classified information."

http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/09/30/wilson.cia/

Methinks the President's trousers are ablaze.

[AuntiBush]

54. It Can't Be

Trousers that is... the Emperor wears no clothes.

[Klukie]

5. Of course Bush gave him permission......

Didn't you hear that he has Unilateral Executive Authority. Its all good.:sarcasm:

[liberal N proud]

6. I think another wheel is getting loose

The wheels on the bus just keep coming off.

[0007]

45. Yeah but, this is not your standard 18 wheeler. 'Tis more like a

57 track wheel tank. But we're getting there.

[rodeodance]

7. bush is the missing link.

......The court papers from the prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald, do not suggest that Mr. Bush violated any law or rule. However, the new disclosure could be awkward for the president because it places him, for the first time, directly in a chain of events that led to a meeting where prosecutors contend the identity of a CIA employee, Valerie Plame, was provided to a reporter.

[DoYouEverWonder]

8. Anyone else other then the NY Sun running this story?

Seems they are trying to get out in front of the real story if Bush is involved.

[stop the bleeding]

10. I don't know this paper are they credible? If so I am falling out of my

chair right now.

*speechless*

[kpete]

11. It is all over...

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2006/04/06/libby_says_bush_authorized_leak.html

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/008133.php

http://www.nysun.com/30561.pdf

[annabanana]

13. It's all from the Sun article...

...talkingpoints and politicalwire are both reacting to the Sun article...

[stop the bleeding]

14. yeah I am reading through 04/05/06 filing(s) right now, one thing

that stuck out for me in the article is where, Libby had breakfast with Ms. Miller and was to disclose the info about the Uranium which was contradictory with Wilson's claim.

Isn't this the same morning/meeting where Miller wrote in her Journal "Flame" or some variation of Plame's name?

If so then this is gonna sink the Preznit.

I doubt I'll pull much out of the court papers, but if I don't some other DU'er will.

What a great day!!!

Things are good.

[kpete]

19. Things ARE good...

[H2O Man]

42. !!!!!! n/t

[MelissaB]

9. Well, well, well....

:kick: & R

[annabanana]

12. Lets say all this is true....

If the information was no longer "classified" at the time it was leaked, are they going to try and contend that there was no illegality involved?

and if they are that dumb..

why would they have gone to such lengths to assert that no one in the administration was involved, or that IF involved they would be dismissed forthwith?

this is quite bizarre

[Dhalgren]

15. Also, if Bush and anyone else who knew that he was in the loop

lied to the federal investigators, isn't that obstruction of justice? Wasn't Bush and Cheney questioned by the FBI about this? And if Bush said he knew nothing about this, then he lied - and that is obstruction. That is soooo impeachable. How many Bush Brown Shirts (BBS) can now say that their Great Leader doesn't lie? And if he lied to the FBI, he broke the law...

[kpete]

17. more

Mr. Libby is said to have testified that "at first" he rebuffed Mr. Cheney's suggestion to release the information because the estimate was classified. However, according to the vice presidential aide, Mr. Cheney subsequently said he got permission for the release directly from Mr. Bush. "Defendant testified that the vice president later advised him that the president had authorized defendant to disclose the relevant portions of the NIE," the prosecution filing said.

http://www.nysun.com/article/30561

[Me.]

18. As I Read It

It says Cheney told Libby that B*** gave permission, Libby didn't actually hear it with his lying ears. Who's to say Cheney wasn't lying? Something for Libby to think about.

[stop the bleeding]

21. are you reading the court docs?

http://www.nysun.com/30561.pdf

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=857961&mesg_id=857961

[annabanana]

26. why aren't the docs up at the Dept of Justice site?

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/iln/osc/legal_proceedings.html

[stop the bleeding]

28. annabanna I just did a search on my PACER account which keeps

track of all Federal cases

there were actually 3 sets of DOCs my account will not allow links without a login required and I can't let that out here on the internets, I have another thread discussing the 39 page one - I need to do some work but I am going to look at all 3 sets of DOCs and comment later. Here is the motions/responses filed yesterday on the 3 sets.



MEMORANDUM OPINION as to I. LEWIS LIBBY; Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on 4/5/06. (erd) (Entered: 04/05/2006)

ORDER granting in part and denying in part 51 Motion To Bar Ex Parte Submissions as to I. LEWIS LIBBY (1);Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on 4/5/06. (erd) (Entered: 04/05/2006)

RESPONSE by USA as to I. LEWIS LIBBY re 68 Third MOTION to Compel DISCOVERY UNDER RULE 16 AND BRADY (Kedian, Kathleen) (Entered: 04/05/2006)





These are the real deal, trust me

[kpete]

29. I just love it when you get this excited!

Looking forward to your "in depth" report...

[HereSince1628]

22. One would think a cautious Libby would have gotten a piece of paper.

saying that Bush had given permission. One wonders if this is one of the documents Roberto is still holding as a matter of executive priviledge.

[stop the bleeding]

24. AGENDA21 found this from the leftcoaster see here

http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/007296.php

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=857961&mesg_id=857961

[HereSince1628]

27. The pdf makes pretty clear the developing strategies of both sides

Indeed this one seems to lay Fitzgerald's approach pretty much flat in the open. The crux of the matter really is that Libby's lie about Russert as his source is going to be obvious to any jury.

Libby is nailed to a cross on that, and his legal team by not addressing that seems to indicate it won't argue the point.

Rather Libby's teams strategy is to keep pushing for materials it knows beyond a reasonable doubt will never be given up because of national security or executive priviledge; their intention seems to be an appeal that Libby didn't have a chance at a fair trial because he was denied that information.

[Me.]

30. That Could Have Been Their Plan

But Walton may have done an end run on that strategy yesterday when he denied FitzG. the ability to argue his case in secret.

[HereSince1628]

34. Who is the "their" you are referring to, Libby's team?

I think Libby's lying is not going to be difficult to establish. And that's the basis of Fitzgerald's case. I'm not sure that Waltons decision would touch that.

I believe the 5th amendment gives you the right to confront your accusers and their arguments, and I see no reason to disagree with Walton on this. Walton will get to see the stuff before Libby's team, and parts of it will be redacted as the judge feels appropriate. I can see how you might think Walton's judgement might confound Libby's team. But I believe Libby's lawyers will argue not about what Fitzgerald presents in court, but what the defense was denied during discovery.

I think the Libby strategy is intact. Whether or not it works in court is of course another thing. But even if it doesn't work in court, Bush can always pardon him saying that he felt Libby didn't get a fair shake because Bush had to protect national security.

[H2O Man]

36. This bit of information

would appear to be evidence that supports that Mr. Libby would lie to the investigators and grand jury, to hide the role played by Dick and George.

The Libby lawyers have been pressing Fitzgerald hard. Their third motion to compel discovery was a fascinating document. They had to know that Fitzgerald would respond strongly. I don't think that Document #80 hurts Libby as much as it does his superiors at the White House.

[HereSince1628]

55. Is this posted in the right place? Call me dull witted but what bit

are you writing about.

In general, I agree that Libby might have lied to cover up the involvement of his bosses.

But my immediate question is how the court filing my ruin "their" (who is their?) strategy.

Today I'm having trouble following pronouns with ambiguous antecedents.

If you really meant to post under my question, what bit would have anything to do with undermining the strategies of one side or the other.

Thanks.

[Independent_Liberal]

20. Kick!

[RedEarth]

23. KR and bookmarked

[baby_mouse]

25. I am Jack's Smug "Told ya so" expression, NT

[Norquist Nemesis]

31. This is the only saving grace for Bush etal

:grr:

Bush is going to get a complete pass! He's going to be 'forgiven', the laws changed to accommodate (with sunset provisions on the laws set for Feb. 1, 2009), and the 'unitary executive' can do whatever the fuck he wants per Article 2, IWR, and everything else Congress can waive in front of the cameras. :grr: :argh: :grr: :argh: :grr: :argh: :grr: :argh: :grr:

Now, Cheney gets to stay an keep whispering into Bush's ear, Rove will be getting the Medal of Honor at this year's Christmas Party, and the rest of them were just following orders!

Unless!!!!....Congress changes into control of the Democrats!

[go west young man]

32. What a nice waker upper!

It's abeautiful spring day dowmn here in Georgia and this news just makes the day even brighter!

[rpgamerd00d]

33. Its on page 23 of the pdf. -nt

[kpete]

35. page 23?

"Nor would such documents of the CIA, NSC and the State Department place in context the importance of the conversations in which defendant participated. Defendant's participation in a critical conversation with Judith Miller on July 8 (discussed further below) occurred only after the Vice President advised defendant that the President specifically had authorized defendant to disclose certain information in the NIE. Defendant testified that the circumstances of his conversation with reporter Miller - getting approval from the President through the Vice President to discuss material that would be classified but for that approval - were unique in his recollection. Defendant further testified that on July 12, 2003, he was specifically directed by the Vice President to speak to the press in place of Cathie Martin (then the communications person for the Vice President) regarding the NIE and Wilson. Defendant was instructed to provide what was for him an extremely rare "on the record" statement, and to provide "background" and "deep background" statements, and to provide information contained in a document defendant understood to be the cable authored by Mr. Wilson. During the conversations that followed on July 12, defendant discussed Ms. Wilson's employment with both Matthew Cooper (for the first time) and Judith Miller (for the third time). Even if someone else in some other agency thought that the controversy about Mr. Wilson and/or his wife was a trifle, that person's state of mind would be irrelevant to the importance and focus defendant placed on the matter and the importance he attached to the surrounding conversations he was directed to engage in by the Vice President."

[H2O Man]

37. Of document #80

has perhaps one of the single most intense paragraphs made public thus far in the case. It focuses on the circumstances surrounding Scooter's meeting with Judith Miller. Scooter had told the grand jury that he was no Little Mr. Run-a-muck.

[kpete]

38. on page 18 of Fitzgerald's filing:

on page 18 of Fitzgerald's filing:

The evidence will show that the July 6, 2003, Op Ed by Mr. Wilson was viewed in the Office of Vice President as a direct attack on the credibility of the Vice President (and the President) on a matter of signal importance: the rationale for the war in Iraq.

[stop the bleeding]

39. Kudos, on that one kpete !! n/t

[kpete]

43. There is so much info out there I am spinning...

http://www.thesmokinggun.com//archive/0406061libby1.html

[glitch]

40. Link timed out, and the other DU thread link "Not Found" the NYSun must be

getting hammered! Everyone on the planet with a net connection must be trying to link to this article.

[kpete]

41. New Murray Waas on this story...

http://nationaljournal.com/about/njweekly/stories/2006/0406nj1.htm

[sundancekid]

44. it's now become BREAKING NEWS even on cable (msnbc) quoting documents

and not just the sun story or waas ... may this become the WATERGATE MOMENT we have all been waiting for ...

[PRETZEL]

47. I'll wait on the Watergate Moment but he timing is excellent,

It's a slow news period. The midterms aren't for another 8 months and right now people aren't interested in them. The great majority already knew that Tom Delay was up to his eyeballs in scandal and could care less whether or not he resigned. And as far as I can tell, Natalie Halloway has been relegated to Rita Crosby and Nancy Grace both of whom have a very small following.

The MSM can't run from this story. They have no other place to hide.

[kpete]

46. Page 24 of the Fitz filing.

Only 3 people Pres, VP and Libby knew that Pres had authorized disclosure of NIE (which Addington gave an off the cuff opinion amounted to de-classification).

Yet despite the fact that the Pres supposedly had already declassified it, and Libby had already revealed it to Miller, the WH was still pressing for it for it to be declassified???

How can the Pres request the declassification of something he has already declassified???

http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/04/06/grifting-your-own-administration/#comments

[seafan]

50. I think what's critical here is that * had no authority to declassify a

document that another agency (the CIA) had originally classified. In my understanding, only the original agency may declassify their own documents.

This would fit in with what * has always done.... he stepped over rock-solid declassification laws, FISA Court laws, you name it. He thinks he can do absolutely anything he wants.

It seems that someone must have told * that those docs were *still legally classified* and he might have to pressure the people to retroactively cover his rear.

It ain't gonna work, chimp.

[Jersey Devil]

48. "could be awkward for the president"?

"awkward"? I'll say! Like in "impeachment" awkward.

[Kablooie]

49. CNN reports that it's "business as usual". Nothing really wrong about it

[kpete]

51. According to CNN

FILING: LIBBY SAYS CHENEY AUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE OF INTELL INFO ON IRAQ

TO JUSTIFY WAR IN IRAQ

ENSOR:
VP told Libby that President authorized leak

Libby says Cheney told him Bush authorized the leak

President does have right to decide

BUT IT DOES SHOW that campaign against Plame was directed from the top

HE DID AUTHORIZE THAT CERTAIN PORTIONS OF CLASSIFED DOC BE DECLASSIFIED

[Fovea]

52. You gotta admit

despite the fact that it seems covered in schmutz, Dubya looks pretty good in that dark blue dress. I wonder if Monica will want it back now, though?

[kpete]

53. Again, the money 'graph from Waas' article is this:

Again, the money 'graph from Waas' article is this:

The former senior official said in an interview that he believed that the attempt to conceal the contents of the one-page summary were intertwined with the efforts to declassify portions of the NIE and to leak information to the media regarding Plame: "It was part and parcel of the same effort, but people don't see it in that context yet."

The evidence is this:

Two days after Wilson's op-ed, Libby met with then-New York Times reporter Judith Miller and not only disclosed portions of the NIE, but also Plame's CIA employment and potential role in her husband's trip.

Same effort, same ass-covering, same intel issue, same leak.