Counsel Probed Miller on Classified Info - Yahoo! News
By PETE YOST, Associated Press Writer
The prosecutor in the CIA leak probe repeatedly asked New York Times reporter Judith Miller how an aide to Vice President Dick Cheney handled classified information in their discussions, and even asked whether Cheney knew of their conversations.
In a first-person account released Saturday on The Times' Web site, Miller recounted her recent grand jury testimony, which focused on her conversations in 2003 with Cheney chief of staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby.
Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald is investigating whether crimes were committed when Bush administration officials leaked the identity of covert CIA officer Valerie Plame to reporters. Plames covert status was exposed at a time when her husband, former U.S. Ambassador Joseph Wilson, was criticizing the Bush administration.
Miller said that in her recent testimony, Fitzgerald "asked me questions about Mr. Cheney. He asked, for example, if Mr. Libby ever indicated whether Mr. Cheney had approved of his interviews with me or was aware of them. The answer was no."
Miller also wrote that "Mr. Fitzgerald asked if I had discussed classified information with Mr. Libby. I said I believe so, but could not be sure."
The reporter said Fitzgerald asked "how Mr. Libby treated classified information. I said, Very carefully."
Fitzgerald is wrapping up his investigation and is expected to decide soon whether to seek indictments. The grand jury that has been investigating the leak for the past two years expires Oct. 28. President Bush's top political adviser, Karl Rove, testified to the panel Friday, his fourth appearance. Prosecutors warned Rove before he appeared that there was no guarantee he won't be indicted.
The prosecutor in the CIA leak probe repeatedly asked New York Times reporter Judith Miller how an aide to Vice President Dick Cheney handled classified information in their discussions, and even asked whether Cheney knew of their conversations.
In a first-person account released Saturday on The Times' Web site, Miller recounted her recent grand jury testimony, which focused on her conversations in 2003 with Cheney chief of staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby.
Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald is investigating whether crimes were committed when Bush administration officials leaked the identity of covert CIA officer Valerie Plame to reporters. Plames covert status was exposed at a time when her husband, former U.S. Ambassador Joseph Wilson, was criticizing the Bush administration.
Miller said that in her recent testimony, Fitzgerald "asked me questions about Mr. Cheney. He asked, for example, if Mr. Libby ever indicated whether Mr. Cheney had approved of his interviews with me or was aware of them. The answer was no."
Miller also wrote that "Mr. Fitzgerald asked if I had discussed classified information with Mr. Libby. I said I believe so, but could not be sure."
The reporter said Fitzgerald asked "how Mr. Libby treated classified information. I said, Very carefully."
Fitzgerald is wrapping up his investigation and is expected to decide soon whether to seek indictments. The grand jury that has been investigating the leak for the past two years expires Oct. 28. President Bush's top political adviser, Karl Rove, testified to the panel Friday, his fourth appearance. Prosecutors warned Rove before he appeared that there was no guarantee he won't be indicted.
posted by Jamie @ 7:06 PM
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