Role of Telecom Firms in Wiretaps Is Confirmed

Role of Telecom Firms in Wiretaps Is Confirmed

www.nytimes.com

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 — The Bush administration has confirmed for the first time that American telecommunications companies played a crucial role in the National Security Agency’s domestic eavesdropping program after asserting for more than a year that any role played by them was a “state secret.”

The acknowledgment was in an unusual interview that Mike McConnell, the director of national intelligence, gave last week to The El Paso Times in which he disclosed details on classified intelligence issues that the administration has long insisted would harm national security if discussed publicly.

(visit the link for the full news article)




[edit: fixed link]

[edit on 24-8-2007 by 12m8keall2c]

Many of us have followed this story for quite awhile knowing that the government was attempting to cover its butt as well as cover up the story. I think this is a startling revelation given the fact the Bush Administration has steadily refused to offer any reasonable commentary on the domestic spying program, instead invoking the claim of executive privilege. I also find it interesting that these statements by the national intelligence director, Mike McConnell, are made approximately two weeks following the resignation of President Bush's former Senior Adviser, and now Deputy Chief of Staff, Karl C. Rove.

[www.nytimes.com...] www.nytimes.com [/url]
(visit the link for the full news article)


[edit: fixed link]

[edit on 24-8-2007 by 12m8keall2c]

[edit on 24-8-2007 by Areal51]