by Richard Sale, longtime intelligence reporter
(originally posted at my blog – pl)
Pat’s readers seem very upset by my reporting that Fitzgerald was to obtain more office space.
Let me try and help.
I had read Steve Clemons’ retraction before I posted my article on Pat Lang’s blog.
I had a conversation with a Department of Justice official during most of which I was made to feel like the village idiot with a talent for obvious remarks.
I asked if Fitzgerld was going to expand his operation, “The probe is going to expand, yes,” the official said. “Does this mean it willl require more staff?” I asked.
He replied, “An expansion would imply that, wouldn’t it?”
I then asked, “Is it true that you would require more office space?” “Well, of course, that would follow, wouldn’t it?” he said. I asked if it were true that Fizgerald had already signed a lease. “That would not be somethng he would do personally.” I then asked, “But it would be done by department officials?” He replied it would.
I then said, “Would I be mistaken to print that you are obtaining more office space?” He replied, “Well, logically that would follow, wouldn’t it?”
If what I reported is incorrect, I will make it public as quickly as I can.
Regarding the flood of speculation on Libby being indicted, and Rove perhaps being allowed to pass, it is difficult to penetrate this fog. There has been an incredible amount of last-minute activity, the contents of which I don’t know. Most of my sources have gone to ground the past few days and it’s been difficult to get anything. I was told by one federal law enforcement official that Hadley was to be indicted, but the indictment was to be kept sealed. I have been able to obtain no confirmation on that.
Regarding the questionnaires sent to Cheney, I have no further word on them, or what Cheney’s response has been. I have been able to confirm that last Friday Fitzgerald’s FBi were talking to Cheney’s attorney.
That Cheney is really the center of the probe has been confirmed by several reliable sources. … More below:
The federal officials who told me that Fitzgerald was going to charge aides with a conspiracy to violate Joe Wilson’s civil rights was information I obtained last week and gave to UPI editors. They did not move it. On Monday, Andrea Mitchell, the White House correspondent for MSNBC reported the same thing.
Whether that charge will be made today, I don’t know. It is difficult to know how much the latest wheeling and dealing between probe targets and DOJ attorneys have altered the landscape. Like any reporter, I get three sources on an item and report it, if they aren’t talking to each in coordination. (That prevents you from drinking your own bathwater.)
I will at all times on this site, report things as I hear them as long as I have collateral.
I would also remind readers that as Intelligence Correspondent for UPI,
I was the first journalist in the country to name Libby and Cheney as the target of the probe back in February 2004. The article passed without much notice.
With greetings to all and with appreciation for your responses,
Richard Sale
Via Patrick Lang
Personal Blog: Sic Semper Tyrannis 2005 || Bio || CV
Recommended Books || More BooTrib <a href="Posts
Novel: The Butcher’s Cleaver (download free by chapter, PDF format)
“Drinking the Kool-Aid,” Middle East Policy Council Journal, Vol. XI, Summer 2004, No. 2
