Democrats assail Cheney

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

WASHINGTON — Democratic lawmakers criticized former Vice President Dick Cheney on Sunday for allegedly ordering a CIA counter-terrorism program be kept secret from congressional leaders, and a top senator called for an investigation.

Republicans were far more circumspect, but some acknowledged the White House should have briefed Congress.

At least two Democratic senators said they believe the failure to inform Congress violated the law. Exactly what the secret intelligence program is remained a mystery.

It is unclear how wide an investigation lawmakers would like to see, but the controversy could fuel calls for a broader look into the CIA’s relationship with Congress during the Bush administration.

Congressional Democrats — in particular, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco — have accused the CIA of misinforming Congress about key elements of its now-canceled harsh interrogation program, which included the simulated drowning technique known as waterboarding.

Republicans are likely to oppose any such probe.

On Sunday, GOP lawmakers criticized Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr. for reportedly considering the appointment of a special prosecutor to look into accusations the CIA exceeded Bush administration rules when using harsh interrogation techniques.

Democrats expressed support for Holder and condemned Cheney for allegedly ordering the CIA not to reveal details of the still-secret intelligence program.

CIA Director Leon E. Panetta ordered the program halted June 23, shortly after learning of it, then called special sessions with lawmakers to discuss the terminated initiative.

Sources have refused to provide any details about what the program involved or what it was meant to achieve. It was put in place in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, but never became fully operational.

Appearing on “Fox News Sunday,” Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Panetta had told congressional leaders Cheney had ordered the agency to withhold details of the program from Capitol Hill.

“I think if the intelligence committees had been briefed, they could have watched the program, they could have asked for reports on the program, they could have made judgments about the program as it went along,” Feinstein said. “That was not the case, because we were kept in the dark. That is something that should never happen again.” She called the failure to brief Congress “outside the law.” Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Ill., the Senate’s majority whip, told ABC’s “This Week” that Congress should investigate whether Cheney or others ordered the secrecy.

Congressional leaders can protect the existence of secret programs, Durbin said. Not disclosing the program, he added, violated the Constitution’s checks and balances.

“To have a massive program that is concealed from leaders in Congress . . . could be illegal,” Durbin said.

But Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., the Republican whip, said lawmakers must not “jump to any conclusions” and remember that Cheney had a responsibility to protect national security.

Republicans also argued appointing a special prosecutor to investigate CIA interrogators risked undermining American security.

“We all know bad things were done. We know the operatives were under orders to do so,” said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the former Republican presidential nominee, on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “For us to continue this and harm our image throughout the world, I agree with the president of the United States. It is time to move forward and not go back.”

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(c) 2009, Tribune Washington Bureau.

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