CIA Had Program to Kill Al-Qaeda Leaders Agency Didn't Tell Congress About Bush-Era Plan to Use Assassins By Joby Warrick and Ben Pershing Washington Post Staff Writers Tuesday, July 14, 2009 The CIA ran a secret program for nearly eight years that aspired to kill top al-Qaeda leaders with specially trained assassins, but the agency declined to tell Congress because the initiative never came close to bringing Osama bin Laden and his deputies into U.S. cross hairs, U.S. intelligence and congressional officials said yesterday. The plan to deploy teams of assassins to kill senior terrorists was legally authorized by the administration of George W. Bush, but it never became fully operational, according to sources briefed on the matter. The sources confirmed that then-Vice President Richard B. Cheney had urged the CIA to delay notifying Congress about the diplomatically sensitive plan -- a bid for secrecy that congressional Democrats now say thwarted proper oversight. The program, which was terminated last month, touched off a political firestorm last week when several Democrats said the CIA had misled Congress by not disclosing its existence. CIA Director Leon E. Panetta gave lawmakers their first overview on June 24, within hours of learning about it, the officials said. Some officials familiar with the program said certain elements of it were operational and should have been disclosed because they involved "significant resources and high risk," as one intelligence official described it. But others said the initiative never advanced beyond concepts and feasibility studies. Intelligence officials also offered conflicting views of Cheney's alleged role. One official recalled that the vice president ordered only a temporary delay in notifying Congress, until the planning for an al-Qaeda hit crossed certain thresholds -- for example, a planned movement of operatives across international boundaries. "What is being labeled now as covert action never reached that point," said the official, who is familiar with intelligence committee briefings on the matter. Three former intelligence officials who were close to the program said it operated within legal guidelines. "Everything we did fell under the [authorizations] of both administrations, Democratic and Republican," said one former counterterrorism official with detailed knowledge of the program. "We would have been professionally negligent if we had not taken the actions we did. There was zero legal risk in my mind." Panetta's revelation that he had terminated the program drew fresh criticism from Republican lawmakers yesterday. "Why would you cancel it?" asked Sen. Christopher S. Bond (Mo.), the ranking Republican on the Senate intelligence committee. "If the CIA weren't trying to do something like this, we'd be asking 'Why not?' " Neither the officials nor the CIA would elaborate on the program or explain how it differed from other, well-understood attempts to destroy al-Qaeda's senior leadership. But one U.S. intelligence official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the program was small and intermittent and "exactly the kind of work people would expect the agency to be doing." The CIA was authorized in 2001 to use lethal force against a small group of top al-Qaeda leaders. Although the agency's attacks on terrorist camps using pilotless aircraft is well documented, the newly disclosed program involved operatives "striking at two feet instead of 10,000 feet," an intelligence official said. Senior White House officials said President Obama was briefed on Panetta's decision after returning to Washington early Sunday from an overseas trip. The officials said the White House was not consulted before Panetta canceled the program. They declined to elaborate. On Sunday, key Democrats called for an investigation of whether the CIA broke the law by not briefing Congress. The claims of inappropriate secrecy also fueled calls for the Obama administration to begin a formal investigation of the CIA's counterterrorism policies during the Bush administration. Some details about the CIA's newly disclosed program were first described in an article on the Wall Street Journal's Web site Sunday night. Yesterday, former and current intelligence officials characterized the initiative as a series of discrete attempts to locate and kill bin Laden and his top deputies as new leads surfaced about their possible whereabouts. Bin Laden is believed to be living in a rugged area along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. U.S. officials have said they think bin Laden is in Pakistan, so any attempt to kill him using ground forces probably would require an incursion into Pakistani territory. One current intelligence official said the program was always small, but over time the agency considered different approaches that took advantage of evolving technical capabilities. Options were being actively weighed as recently as this spring, said the official, who added that Panetta learned of the program during a briefing that described new CIA proposals for going after bin Laden.
Hey, they could hit him with that new sniper gun, I heard it was called an ICBM. Crazy long range and awesome finishing power. Then we can send one to North Korea to Show Kim Jong how we get down.
The solution is just all to very easy. Now think about this under Bush this would not be a problem for a number of reasons. But under Obama let's say America is attacked with an improvised low tech nuclear device. Who attacked us? Can we retaliate against.... who?
Terroists always have an agenda. Just wait until everyone finishes taking responsibility for the attack... then sift thru the garbage. The prep will reveal itself!!! Do you think assassins would really make a difference? I mean... if McCain were president... and I was a terroist... I would have asassinated him. That way the smart man dies... and the brain dead, inexperienced, Alaska lining, idiot woman would become in charge. Unfortunately... Al Queda doesn't have any Palin's for a second in command.
Whow Nelly hold on. Pretty good shock value but nothing much more. Its the patriot act, surveillance, a good intelligence program that will protect us from these problems as well as a damn good foreign policy from a leader looked at as strong not weak. You guys bitch and moan that your rights are being stomped on and want to give freedom to terrorist to communicate freely with each other. All so that your boring ass conversation will not be listened to. I try to point out the logic that no intelligence agency wants to use their limited resources to monitor Granny Jones of Arkansas conversation with Aunt Velma in Illinois. But Akmead Muhamad of Miami speaking on a regular basis to Habib Ackbar in Morraco who is on a terrorist list is a different story. You know since the intelligence community has focused its resources more on terrorism pot farming has quadrupled in California? Think about it.
Just because the act doesn't affect me directly does not mean I am not against it. In fact... the patriot act keeps me safer! But where does it stop, Joe? If it proves to be a great idea... whats next? We use wiretaping to trap dealers? Listening in on my conversations because I'm "suspected" of dealing percoset to bar patrons? How about listening in on my conversations because I oppose the current system? If that's the case.... your phone and home could be bugged because you hate Obama.... and it would be perfectly legal. They could even mark you as a domestic terrorist and accuse you of trying to start a revolution. And Joe... even though you can be retarded and dense in your ideas.... you deserve the same liberties and right to privacy that every American does. And that... is something I would fight for. McCain, the republican candidate, was against this invasion of privacy. He was against the torture of prisoners in Getmo. At least stand behind this guy, not GWB. Face it. Bush was lazy, arrogant and a loser. If you add up the time he spent at his ranch while in office.... he spent more days there than most Americans who work 5 days a week spend at home. Not something a world leader should be doing.
Good point that is why we should put serious thought into who we elect integrity does count. If we choose to say that someone is responsible enough to run the country then we have to give them the responsibility to do their job. They in turn need to NOT ABUSE THE SYSTEM. and the MEDIA IS RESPONSIBLE TO PROPERLY INFORM THE PEOPLE OF ABUSE WHEN FOUND. Obama has fired five inspector generals whose job it is to monitor and police the integrity of the government bureaucracy. Have you heard about it in the media? Several were fired ILLEGALLY for whistle blowing about Obama administration corruption. So yes if you have not noticed Obama is likely abusing the Patriot act as we speak. And while you and several others campaigned against Bush and for Obama because of the Patriot Act what have you gained? I have already been "profiled" as a terrorist by the Obama administration. Department of Homeland Security Calls Military Veterans "terrorist!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KbwiMJ74Bw Now you are showing your ignorance or simply making a bold faced lie one or the other. Bush is well know for his work ethic regardless of where he is. And while you sit your fat Cheetos eating ass around and troll the internet with one foot in the grave about to die of a heart attack. Bush at 20+ years your senior exercises on a regular basis. Bush promotes exercise, then goes biking BELTSVILLE, Md. — Just before climbing on his mountain bike Saturday, President Bush urged people to get up off their couches and walk, jog, pedal and swim. "It doesn't take much time to stay fit -- 30 minutes, five days a week," Bush said at a Secret Service training facility just outside Washington where he went for a bike ride. May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, and June will mark the fifth anniversary of the HealthierUS Initiative. The president launched the initiative in 2002 to encourage people to do physical activity every day, eat nutritious food, get preventive screenings for disease and make healthy lifestyle choices. "I love exercise," said the president, who was wearing navy biking shorts and a green T-shirt. Before he left for the ride, he lifted up his blue-and-white mountain bike to prove he was strong and fit. "I have found that exercise not only is a good excuse to get outdoors. It helps to relieve stress as well." He was joined by Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt and members of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, including fitness expert Denise Austin. "The message to all Americans is to find time in your schedule to walk, run, swim, bike -- to take care of yourselves," Bush said. Bush traded in his running shoes for mountain bikes about three years ago after pain in his knees kept him from jogging. At 60, he is a devoted mountain bike rider, regularly leaving the White House for rides on Saturday mornings or after church on Sundays. Most of his cycling is at Beltsville, but he also bikes occasionally at the Marine base at Quantico, Va., Camp David at Catoctin Mountain Park and at his ranch at Crawford, Texas. He also sneaks in rides during presidential trips. As he delivered his statement on exercise, Bush gave a rare glimpse of the wooded area in which he cycles. He typically rides his bike out of the media's view. Bush has a six-day-a-week exercise regimen that includes pedaling his mountain bike at up to 18 miles an hour for 15 miles to 20 miles a week, according to his last physical examination, in August 2006. He also does low-impact "hill work" on a treadmill and free weight resistance training and stretching.
Number one... I did not vote for Obama. I support him now because he is my president and I don't want our country to fail. Number two... I was going to vote for McCain until he picked that idiot as a running mate. If he'll choose a running mate based on her sex in hope of getting a voting demographic.... what other decisions will he botch? Number three.... I did not have a heart attack because I sat on my ass 24 hours a day eating cheetos. I can't even eat cheetos anymore. I eat fruits, 90grams of carbs, 2 tablespoons of fat and 6 ozs of lean meat a day. I was working 18 hours a day, 10 days in a stretch. My heart attack came from dental work I had done the previous week. A clot broke free and lodged in my heart. Currently I work EVERYDAY. No days off at all. As a matter of fact, I'm leaving again for the carolinas in about an hour. Number four.... I exercise 25 minutes a day, 7 days a week. That's not including "Unloading and Lumping" the freight that comes off my truck. Number five.... Bush IS lazy. He set a record for time off since president Eisenhower. Probally longer but they didn't take note of these things before then. You don't start two wars, send children to fight and die everyday, and then give yourself 20 vacations a year. Number six.... If Bush was so smart... why has he bankrupted every company (and country) he ever ran? Number seven.... what is with the "smurf" comments??? Not much of a insult my friend. I'd go with "Snork" from now on.
Wanting Obama's success is wishing for this country's failure. How Obama will Destroy America Obama will destroy America with debt The Obama/Soros Plan To Destroy America Elect Obama, Destroy America Obama to “destroy†America So you would support a nobody with one fifth the experience of Palin. Who was chosen just for his race? LOL Palin has a track record of success. Obama a track record of leeching off of the government hanging out with radical Socialist and studying Socialism. #3 #4 Blah blah blah #5 #6 Bullsh!t #7 Smurf is not an insult never was intended that way. AFAIK I never called you Smurf. That is 'whats his name's old forum name SmurfSlapper until he changed it.
I told you I support that "inexperienced" guy because I want this country to be great again. He is our leader... he needs us behind him. I already told you I would have voted McCain... the most experienced... and a war hero to boot. Sarah Palin has 1/5 the IQ of a cockspaniel. He picked someone whose only experience was blowing the whistle on a scam... and not giving back the money. Oh wait... getting a hockey rink built in her town for her kids to play in. Way to spend everyone's money, Sarah! She was governor of a state with a population less than the size of Baltimore. Her incompetence showed every time she spoke. Thats why she resigned. How can anyone put their faith in someone who doesn't know what the Bush Doctrine is and can't tell the difference between a town and a municiplality? She couldn't even answer the question "What newspapers do you read?" She is a vice-presidential candiate and needs to be held to a higher standard. She's one heart-attack, bullet, accident after from being the leader of the most powerful nation in the world. Do you think she could stand up to Vladamir Putin and hold her own? Frankly Joe, you are better qualified to lead this country than Sarah Palin. As is my 10 year old daughter. She can at least tell people which newspapers she reads. The world sees her for the idiot she is. Do you need more examples? I can give them. But let me just ask you this.... would you leave this nation in the hands of someone who puts their kids in the spotlight and airs their dirty laundry? Then bitches when people criticize their choices? Didn't think so. PS : She's so stupid she gave her children "Super-Hero" names. What kind of dumb shit is that? They all sound like they are from a Joss Whedon serial.
Well at least I can find some solace in the idea that when she is elected you will stand faithfully behind her and support your president because, It's the patriotic thing to do. In the mean time I say the RNC should send a team of 100 lawyers and use corrupt conservative judges to allow lawsuits for any and everything that could be considered against Obama. What Obama went to work at 9 AM? .... file a lawsuit. What Obama gave a speech? .... File a lawsuit. What Obama ate breakfast? .... File a lawsuit. What Obama's dog scared you? .... File a lawsuit. I'd like to see him a few million in dept defending against frivolous lawsuits. In the mean time we can have media pundits do reports with one eye brow cocked short on specifics but simply pointing out that Obama has "legal troubles". To bad it would not fly since conservative judges are honest, conservative lawyers have class, and the media's only sole job is to inform the people not of real Democrat corruption but rather create a perception of Republican corruption for the mindless pantie waste population.
Well you picked the right man then. # Obama released just one brief document detailing his personal health. McCain, on the other hand, released what he said was his complete medical file, totaling more than 1,500 pages. # Obama refused to offer his official papers as a state legislator in Illinois. Nor did he produce correspondence, such as his schedules of appointments or letters from lobbyists, from his days in the Illinois state Senate. # Obama did not release his client list as an attorney or his billing records. He maintained that he performed only a few hours of legal work for a nonprofit organization with ties to Tony Rezko, the Chicago businessman convicted of fraud in June 2008 but did not release billing records that would prove this assertion. # Obama ignored requests for his records from Occidental College, where he studied for two years before transferring to Columbia University. # Obama’s campaign refused to give Columbia, where he earned an undergraduate degree in political science, permission to release his transcripts. Former President George W. Bush and presidential contenders Al Gore and John Kerry all released their college transcripts. # Obama did not agree to the release of his application to the Illinois State Bar, which would have cleared up intermittent allegations that his application may have been inaccurate. # Obama did not release records from his time at Harvard Law School. # During the presidential campaign, McCain’s campaign released a full list of all online donors. Obama’s campaign still has not released the names of those who donated at least one-third of the $750 million he raised. Ironically, Obama accused the Bush White House of being "one of the most secretive administrations in our history," and chided then-Sen. Hillary Clinton for not releasing her White House schedules.
President of what? The I Wanna Kill Things Club? There is a better chance of having Paris Hilton win the election. (By the way thats not a joke)
wouldn't be right for an American president to have a French town name. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qaPd4yjcnA
