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Politics : Just the Facts, Ma'am: A Compendium of Liberal Fiction
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To: American Spirit who wrote (56055)3/18/2007 11:35:52 AM
From: MrLucky  Read Replies (1) of 90947
 
Question: Did Valerie Plame Need to be Told She Was Covert?
March 16, 2007 | 2:03 PM | Permanent Link
Gerry Orton in California asks:

"Valerie Plame was asked something about ... did the CIA inform her that she was a covert operative, and she responded no. Seems to me her statement about being a covert operative was pretty clear. Any light you may shed on this would be appreciated."

Media correspondent Liz Halloran, who attended the House committee hearing where Plame testified, has the answer for us.


Under questioning by Virginia Rep. Tom Davis, the committee's ranking Republican, Valerie Plame was asked if she was ever told by her superiors that she was a covert agent as defined by the terms of the Intelligence Identities Protection Act. Her answer: "No, but I was covert. I did travel overseas on secret missions."

The underlying point Davis--and other Republicans--seem to be making is this: If Plame was never formally informed of her covert status, how could the White House know? The act states that it's a crime to knowingly disclose the identity of a covert agent. Federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald's investigation could not prove that White House aides, including Karl Rove, knew of Plame's status when they leaked to reporters her identity and occupation.

Davis argues that the CIA bears responsibility for protecting "highly sensitive information," including covert identities. Plame's take: At the very least, the White House knew she worked for the CIA and should have been more diligent in protecting her.
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