In rebuttal to Suskinds bombshell - WH releases statements by CIA officers denying allegations

[sabra]

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/spytalk/2008/08/cia-officials-deny-suskind-quo.html

According to the White House, two former CIA officials quoted by Suskind deny telling him that in 2003 they were ordered to forge a document to show that Iraq conspired with al Qaeda in the 9/11 attacks and clandestinely bought uranium in Africa.

"I never received direction from George Tenet (CIA director at the time) or anyone else in my chain of command to fabricate a document ... as outlined in Mr. Suskind's book," a statement attributed to Robert Richer, the CIA's former deputy director of clandestine operations, said.

According to the White House, Richer also said he had talked with John Maguire, chief of the CIA's Iraq Operations Group in 2003, who gave him "permission to state the following on his behalf:

"I never received any instruction from then Chief/NE Rob Richer or any other officer in my chain of command instructing me to fabricate such a letter. Further, I have no knowledge to the origins of the letter and as to how it circulated in Iraq."

Neither Richer or Maguire could be reached to back up the White House's account.

:crazy:

[TNOE]

1. Threats of death to family members

no doubt. Standard operating procedure.

[Bill219]

2. Suskind told Keith last night

That he has the tapes of the interviews with these back trackers

[TNOE]

3. You can't hardly blame them though

They have no doubt been threatened and I would imagine the threats were quite severe. Its not like they don't know the BFEE isn't capable of just about anything. They would cut their kids throat and laugh about it.

[Gabi Hayes]

4. seen this?

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/8/5/172840/1570

comments:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/8/5/172840/1570/289/563123

[ThoughtCriminal]

5. Carefully worded non-denial-denials

"in my chain of command"

What are the odds that any reporter will ask "What about outside of your chain of command?"

Q: Did you break the window?
A: I did not have orders from George Tenant to break the window.