As a federal judge on ordered "Meet the Press" host Tim Russert and Time magazine's Matthew Cooper to testify before a grand jury investigating the leak of the identity of Valerie Plame, a new White House scandal has opened over the revealing of the name of a source.
Last week, the administration was desperate to justify their decision to raise the threat level to orange in three states based on activity that occurred over three years ago. National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice admitted yesterday that the administration - during a background briefing to reporters - identified Mohammed Naeem Noor Khan as the source of the information that prompted the terror alert. According to Reuters, Khan "had been actively cooperating with intelligence agents to help catch al-Qaida operatives when his name appeared in U.S. newspapers." His identification by the administration likely "cost the United States avaluable source." It is not clear who originally disclosed Khan's name, which first appeared in The New York Times last Monday and was then confirmed by U.S. officials.
His unmasking triggered criticism across the political spectrum, and New York senator Charles Schumer has asked for an explanation from the White House.
So why did the leak this name to the press? Carelessness, or is there a political motive? Discuss amongst yourselves!
UPDATED: The leak may have allowed al-Qaida suspects to escape and a Time magazine reporter was held in contempt for refusing to testify on the Valerie Plame affair.
Monday, August 09, 2004
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And now the British are saying that the leak of his name has impacted their investigation into Al-Qaeda suspects over in England, and that they may be forced to let their 13 suspects go wihtout being able to charge them with anything. And on top of it, they fear that other suspected terrorists may be on the run because of the news of the arrest. Doesn't seem odd that this administration, which is supposedly so disciplined, also leaks critical information time and time again?
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