7.22.2005
Memo with Plame's Name Marked Secret (CNN.com)
Administration officials questioned about State Dept. document
Thursday, July 21, 2005; Posted: 11:20 p.m. EDT (03:20 GMT)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A classified State Department memorandum that has been the subject of questioning in a federal leak probe identifies a CIA agent by name in a paragraph marked "S" for secret, sources told CNN Thursday.
Special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald is investigating the revelation of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity, which was published by syndicated columnist and CNN contributor Robert Novak in July 2003.
Novak's column came days after her husband, former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, publicly questioned part of President Bush's justification for invading Iraq.
Plame is mentioned by her married name, Valerie Plame Wilson, in the memo dated June 10, 2003, said two government sources who have seen the document.
The paragraph, they said, did not indicate that she was undercover or that her identity was protected.
Nevertheless, a former homeland security adviser to President Bush said the rules on such matters are clear.
"Anything in a paragraph marked 'secret' needs to be deemed secret, and revealing it to someone without proper security clearance or without a need to know is not authorized and is a violation," said Richard Falkenrath, a CNN security analyst who has not seen the memo.
(More ... CNN.com - Memo with Plame's name marked secret - Jul 21, 2005) ¶ 19:15
Thursday, July 21, 2005; Posted: 11:20 p.m. EDT (03:20 GMT)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A classified State Department memorandum that has been the subject of questioning in a federal leak probe identifies a CIA agent by name in a paragraph marked "S" for secret, sources told CNN Thursday.
Special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald is investigating the revelation of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity, which was published by syndicated columnist and CNN contributor Robert Novak in July 2003.
Novak's column came days after her husband, former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, publicly questioned part of President Bush's justification for invading Iraq.
Plame is mentioned by her married name, Valerie Plame Wilson, in the memo dated June 10, 2003, said two government sources who have seen the document.
The paragraph, they said, did not indicate that she was undercover or that her identity was protected.
Nevertheless, a former homeland security adviser to President Bush said the rules on such matters are clear.
"Anything in a paragraph marked 'secret' needs to be deemed secret, and revealing it to someone without proper security clearance or without a need to know is not authorized and is a violation," said Richard Falkenrath, a CNN security analyst who has not seen the memo.
(More ... CNN.com - Memo with Plame's name marked secret - Jul 21, 2005) ¶ 19:15
