Testifying in the CIA Leak Case (Woodward statement in full)

[rodeodance]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/15/AR2005111501829.html

> Testifying in the CIA Leak Case
>
>
> Wednesday, November 16, 2005; Page A08
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> On Monday, November 14, I testified under oath in a sworn deposition to Special Counsel Patrick J. Fitzgerald for more than two hours about small portions of interviews I conducted with three current or former Bush administration officials that relate to the investigation of the public disclosure of the identity of undercover CIA officer Valerie Plame.
>
> The interviews were mostly confidential background interviews for my 2004 book "Plan of Attack" about the leadup to the Iraq war, ongoing reporting for The Washington Post and research for a book on Bush's second term to be published in 2006. The testimony was given under an agreement with Fitzgerald that he would only ask about specific matters directly relating to his investigation.
>
> All three persons provided written statements waiving the previous agreements of confidentiality on the issues being investigated by Fitzgerald. Each confirmed those releases verbally this month, and requested that I testify.
>
> Plame is the wife of former ambassador Joseph Wilson, who had been sent by the CIA in February 2002 to Niger to determine if there was any substance to intelligence reports that Niger had made a deal to sell "yellowcake" or raw uranium to Iraq. Wilson later emerged as an outspoken critic of the Bush administration.....

[CoffeeCat]

1. I am completely baffled by Woodward...

I know I have some reading to do. I missed most of todays' news, and have only read a bit on Woodward's new revelations.

However. I am completely beside myself.

What in the hell is going on?

This is not what it appears, that's for sure.

Why would Woodward--all of a sudden--admit to these conversations with THREE SENIOR OFFICIALS? Something happened. What was it?

Also--what is going on with Woodward that he had these conversations and then kept secrets for THREE SENIOR OFFICIALS--when he knew damn well that a very serious investigation was ongoing?

He also shilled for BushCo on Larry King Live. It was agonizing to watch it. The other reporters were guffawing at Woodwards' downplaying of the Plame affair. He even said something to the effect, "Come on...these White House officials are people!" and he was so defensive.

It's more than likely that one of these "senior officials" is Junior. Junior loves Woodward and he gave him extraordinary access for other book projects. This White House lets no one in unless they are propagandizing for them.

Just a thought (I have so many thoughts and questions!)...is it possible that Woodward will turn on Junior? Many are turning against him, and I always assumed Junior would be taken down in a very big way. Could this be part of a plan to take down the pResident?

Also--these THREE SENIOR OFFICIALS agreed to let Woodward talk to Fitzgerald and tell him the truth. That sounds odd. If Woodward is going to expose someone for wrongdoing--I find it odd that he would get their permission to out them first--and also that the source gave him the go-ahead.

This is all very puzzling--to me anyway.

[Frustratedlady]

2. I realize I don't have a grasp of legal procedures,

but I'm curious how Miller and Woodward can get by with:

"The testimony was given under an agreement with Fitzgerald that he would only ask about specific matters directly relating to his investigation."

When you are called to appear for a deposition, how can YOU tell THEM they can only ask questions in a certain area? Shoot, I'd probably blab everything I ever knew about the subject...I'd be so scared. It just sounds so arrogant to think you can tell Fitzgerald what HE can or cannot do.

That said, it is a relief to know the GJ is still chipping away at this monumental task.

[Igel]

3. If he didn't get the agreement, he'd have resisted.

Fitz gained time and expediency and gave up some rights. It sounds innocuous enough: Ask about the matter at hand, not other things that might conceivably possibly be useful or interesting.

Probably, also, it was voluntary, not under subpoena, and was done quietly and quickly in an office without convening or summoning the grand jury.

[Neil Lisst]

4. Here is what we can reasonably conclude ...

1. No one in the Bush administration ever told Fitz that Woodward might have been told anything about the Plame matter. To a person, no one mentioned him as a possibility to Fitz until the past week. Otherwise, he would have pursued Woodward before now.

2. Someone at the Bush administration decided this revelation would help diffuse the prosecutor's case against Libby, and undermine the suggestions of wrongdoing. That someone has to be very high up in the administration, and most likely, one of the three people about whom he testified.

3. While Hadley has been mentioned, Bush or Cheney seem more likely because Hadley was likely grilled more seriously than either Bush or Cheney.

4. The Bush-Cheney attacks are preparatory for some coming disclosure that is even worse. I think either Bush or Cheney told Woodward, and acted as if it were common knowledge.

5. Woodward sat on the info, and shilled for Bushco, to help him in his book deal. He only came forward because the Bush White House asked him to, after all this time. He's the PERRY MASON SURPRISE WITNESS WHO SAW IT ALL FROM THE SHADOWS.

I think it's going to be Bush or Cheney, and I'm not sure what Fitz will do about that.