FBI probes White House officials after identity of CIA agent leaked
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WASHINGTON (AP) - The FBI began a full-scale criminal investigation Sept. 30 into whether White House officials illegally leaked the identity of an undercover CIA officer.
The CIA officer in question is the wife of former Ambassador Joseph C. Wilson. There is speculation that her name was leaked in an attempt to punish him for having accused the administration of manipulating intelligence to exaggerate the threat from Iraq.
U.S. President George W. Bush has declared his support for the investigation and ordered his staff to cooperate with the first major probe of his administration.
Democrats have, however, demanded the appointment of a special outside counsel instead of Attorney General John Ashcroft, who they claim is too close to the White House to conduct an impartial investigation.
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said, "If there ever was a case for the appointment of a special counsel, this is it."
Bush resisted. "I'm absolutely confident that the Justice Department can do a good job," he said.
米工作員名漏えい疑惑で調査開始
米連邦捜査局(FBI)は9月30日、米政府高官が中央情報局(CIA)工作員の実名を不法に漏えいしたとされる疑惑の調査を開始した。
Shukan ST: Oct. 10, 2003
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