December 2005 Intelligence News

Constitution Provides Checks and Balances Against Excessive Presidential Power in the US VOA 27 Dec 2005 -- In Congress recently, Democratic Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin felt obliged to remind George W. Bush that he is a president, not a king.
Afghans Try Former Communist Intelligence Chief RFE/RL 26 Dec 2005 -- An Afghan former intelligence chief went on trial today accused of war crimes and torture during communist rule in the 1980s.
Powell Backs Bush on Domestic Spying VOA 26 Dec 2005 -- Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell says President Bush was right in authorizing a domestic spying program.
Afghan President Fires 2 Officials for Spying for Other Countries VOA 25 Dec 2005 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai says he has fired two "high-ranking" Afghan officials who were spying for other countries, and warns he would not spare anyone who engages in such activity.
Report: Domestic Spying Broader Than Bush Acknowledged VOA 24 Dec 2005 -- A published report says the U.S. National Security Agency has conducted broader surveillance of e-mails and telephone conversations without court orders than the Bush administration has admitted.
U.S.: Leading Daily Criticized For Delaying Domestic Spying Story RFE/RL 23 Dec 2005 -- "The New York Times" recently published an article saying the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush had been directing the National Security Agency (NSA) to spy on people in the United States without first getting judicial warrants, as is required by law.
Daschle Contradicts Bush on Wiretaps VOA 23 Dec 2005 -- A former U.S. Senate majority leader says he never agreed to let the Bush administration eavesdrop, without court approval, on phone calls that cross U.S. borders.
Italy Reportedly Issues European Warrants For 22 Purported CIA Operatives RFE/RL 23 Dec 2005 -- Reports say an Italian judge has issued European arrest warrants for 22 purported CIA operatives in connection with the alleged kidnapping of an Egyptian cleric from Milan in 2003.
Transcript: News Briefing with PDASD for Public Affairs Lawrence Di Rita and Lt. Gen. James Conway 22 Dec 2005 -- Presenter: Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Lawrence Di Rita and Director, Operations Directorate, Joint Chiefs of Staff Lt. Gen. James T. Conway
Italy Places US Marine Under Investigation in Intelligence Agent's Death VOA 22 Dec 2005 -- Italian prosecutors have placed a U.S. Marine under formal investigation for his role in the death of an Italian intelligence agent at a checkpoint near Baghdad in March.
Congress Approves Ban on Torture, Inhuman Treatment of Detainees Washington File 22 Dec 2005 -- The U.S. Congress approved a $453.5 billion 2006 defense budget December 22 that includes a measure outlawing the use of torture, or cruel and inhuman treatment of detainees being held by the U.S. military and civilian federal agencies such as the CIA.
Army Updates Detainee Operations Information - December 21, 2005 Army News Release 21 Dec 2005 -- The Army continued its effort to keep the public informed concerning detainee operations by releasing 3,100 documents today pursuant to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) litigation with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
Brazil Releases Secret Files on Military Dictatorship VOA 21 Dec 2005 -- The Brazilian government has released secret intelligence files compiled on dissidents during the country's 1964 to 1985 military dictatorship.
US Judge Resigns From Special Security Court VOA 21 Dec 2005 -- The Bush administration found itself on the defensive again Wednesday over the issue of domestic spying as part of the war on terrorism.
Cheney Defends White House Wiretapping Policy VOA 20 Dec 2005 -- Vice President Dick Cheney has defended the White House's authority over a secret domestic surveillance program, saying the action is legal and the American public backs the president's terror-fighting strategy.
U.S. Anti-Torture Bill Clears Hurdle RFE/RL 20 Dec 2005 -- Draft legislation to ban the torture of detainees has been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives.
U.S.: Bush Cites Threats, Vows To Pursue Wiretap Program RFE/RL 20 Dec 2005 -- U.S. President George W. Bush says he plans to continue a controversial program of monitoring telephone calls as long as the United States faces a threat of terrorism.
Boxer Asks Presidential Scholars About Former White House Counsel's Statement that Bush Admitted to an 'Impeachable Offense' Office of U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer 19 Dec 2005 -- U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) today asked four presidential scholars for their opinion on former White House Counsel John Dean’s statement that President Bush admitted to an “impeachable offense” when he said he authorized the National Security Agency to spy on Americans without getting a warrant from a judge.
VICE CHAIRMAN ROCKEFELLER REACTS TO REPORTS OF NSA INTERCEPT PROGRAM IN UNITED STATES Office of Senator Jay Rockeffeller 19 Dec 2005 -- Senator Releases His ’03 Letter to White House Raising Questions About White House Actions and Need for Congressional Oversight
Rockefeller '03 letter to House Raising Questions About White House Actions and Need for Congressional Oversight Office of Senator Jay Rockeffeller 17 Jul 2003, Released 19 Dec 2005 [PDF 564KB]
Human Rights Watch Says US Operated Secret Prison in Kabul VOA 19 Dec 2005 -- The Human Rights Watch organization says the United States has operated at least one secret prison in Afghanistan, where detainees were subjected to torture and other mistreatment.
Bush Defends Domestic Surveillance Decision VOA 19 Dec 2005 -- President Bush has defended his decision to authorize a secret program to eavesdrop on the telephone calls and e-mails between people in the United States and suspected terrorists abroad.
Bush Eavesdropping Program Stirs US Debate VOA 19 Dec 2005 -- President Bush is aggressively defending his decision to use a secretive intelligence agency to monitor phone calls and e-mails of some U.S. citizens and others inside the United States without a court order as part of the war on terrorism.
Transcript: Press Briefing By Attorney General Alberto Gonzales And General Michael V. Hayden, Principal Deputy Director Of National Intelligence Office of the Director of National Intelligence 19 Dec 2005
Democrats Question Legality of Domestic Surveillance VOA 19 Dec 2005 -- Senate Democrats are questioning the legality of an intelligence program authorized by President Bush to secretly monitor telephone calls and e-mails between people in the United States and suspected terrorists in other countries.
Press Conference of the President The White House 19 Dec 2005
U.K.: Law Lords Ruling On Torture Affecting Status Of Terror Suspects RFE/RL 19 Dec 2005 -- Has Britain allowed evidence obtained under torture to be used in its courts? British authorities are reexamining evidence in the cases of several foreign terrorist suspects who are awaiting appeals trials.
Rights Group Says U.S. Had Secret Prison In Afghanistan RFE/RL 19 Dec 2005 -- A U.S. human rights group has accused the United States of running a secret prison for terrorism suspects as recently as last year in Afghanistan.
Bush Defends Decision Domestic Surveillance Decision VOA 19 Dec 2005 -- President Bush Mr. Bush has defended his authorization of the monitoring of some domestic e-mail and telephone calls, a program that has drawn harsh criticism in Congress.
U.S.: Bush Defends Domestic Spying Program RFE/RL 18 Dec 2005 -- U.S. President George W. Bush is facing hard questions and criticism from lawmakers of both the big U.S. political parties after the revelation that he authorized a domestic spying program as part of the war against terror.
Radio Address by the President to the Nation The White House 17 Dec 2005 -- "In the weeks following the terrorist attacks on our nation, I authorized the National Security Agency, consistent with U.S. law and the Constitution, to intercept the international communications of people with known links to al Qaeda and related terrorist organizations. "
Bush Acknowledges Secret Surveillance VOA 17 Dec 2005 -- President Bush says he has authorized the secret surveillance of people within the United States without court-approved warrants.
Bush Reportedly Approved Domestic Eavesdropping VOA 16 Dec 2005 -- The New York Times reported Friday that President Bush authorized a secretive U.S. intelligence agency to spy on some Americans and others inside the country suspected of terrorist links in the wake of the 2001 terrorist attacks.
FSB Chief Says Russia Foiled Ninety Spies In 2005 RFE/RL 16 Dec 2005 -- The head of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), Nikolai Patrushev, said on 16 December that the FSB has foiled the efforts of more than 90 foreign intelligence operatives in Russia so far this year.
Rights Group Welcomes Bush Reversal on Torture Ban VOA 16 Dec 2005 -- Leading human rights groups are praising President Bush for reversing his position on congressional legislation banning torture.
US Detainee Debate Complicated by Elusive Definition of Torture VOA 16 Dec 2005 -- The Bush administration has decided to go along with a bill pending in Congress that would bar cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment of any detainee held anywhere in U.S. custody.
Bush Backs Antitorture Measure In Congress RFE/RL 16 Dec 2005 -- President George W. Bush has announced his support for legislation that would ban American military, CIA, and other personnel from inflicting cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment on terrorism suspects either inside the United States or abroad.
Pentagon Reviews Domestic Threat Database VOA 15 Dec 2005 -- The Defense Department is reviewing its procedures for collecting and saving information on potential threats to its installations in the United States
DoD Orders Review of Anti-Threat Intel-Gathering System AFPS 15 Dec 2005 -- The Defense Department has ordered a review of an intelligence system that compiles information on possible worldwide threats to U.S. military personnel and installations, a senior DoD official said here today.
European Parliament Sets Up CIA Probe VOA 15 Dec 2005 -- The European Parliament has agreed to set up a probe into allegations the CIA used European countries to secretly transport and detain terrorism suspects.
White House, Congress Reach Agreement on Torture Ban VOA 15 Dec 2005 -- President Bush has reached agreement with Republican Senators on a law barring the cruel or inhuman treatment of foreign detainees in U.S. custody.
Amnesty Blasts EU Reaction To Allegations Of Secret U.S.-Operated Jails RFE/RL 14 Dec 2005 -- Amnesty International today said that the European Union's response to allegations of secret jails operated by U.S. intelligence services in European nations has been unsatisfactory.
EU: Britain Seeks To Quell Controversy Over Alleged CIA Prisons RFE/RL 14 Dec 2005 -- Britain, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU, has signaled it is satisfied with U.S. answers to allegations that its secret service held and tortured terror suspects in secret prisons in Europe.
German Lawmakers Question Ministers about CIA Abduction VOA 14 Dec 2005 -- German lawmakers questioned Wednesday government ministers about the CIA abduction of a German citizen who was suspected of being a terrorist.
Investigator: Evidence May Support Claims of Alleged CIA Prisons in Europe VOA 13 Dec 2005 -- A European investigator says there appears to be evidence that the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency abducted people in Europe and transferred them between countries illegally.
KEYSER'S GUILTY PLEA WON'T AFFECT TAIWAN-U.S. RELATIONS: REP OFFICE CNA 13 Dec 2005 -- Taiwan's Representative Office in the United States refused Monday to comment on a case related to the guilty plea made in U.S. federal court by a former ranking U.S. official, stressing that the island's relations with the United States will not be affected by the case.
TAIWAN-U.S. TIES WON'T BE AFFECTED SERIOUSLY BY KEYSER CASE: DIPLOMAT CNA 13 Dec 2005 -- An ROC diplomat admitted on Wednesday that the case concerning a former ranking U.S. official, who admitted Tuesday in court his guilt on three charges in connection with Taiwan's intelligence personnel, affects Taiwan-U.S. relations, but the damage is under control.
FORMER US DIPLOMAT ADMITS RELATIONS WITH TAIWAN INTELLIGENCE OFFICIAL CNA 13 Dec 2005 -- A former senior official at the State Department admitted in court Monday that he had a personal relationship with a Taiwanese woman intelligence official stationed in Washington, D.C.
Turkey Seeking CIA Help To Fight PKK RFE/RL 12 Dec 2005 -- Turkey says it wants the United States to provide more intelligence to help it fight the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
Poland to Investigate Secret CIA Prison Allegations VOA 11 Dec 2005 -- The Polish prime minister has ordered an investigation into allegations that the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency operated secret prisons for terrorist suspects in Poland
UN Chief: Governments Cannot Ignore Human Rights Rules on Torture VOA 10 Dec 2005 -- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has warned governments around the world not to ignore international agreements prohibiting torture.
Polish PM Orders Probe of Reports of Secret CIA Prisons in Poland VOA 10 Dec 2005 -- Polish Prime Minister Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz says he is ordering an investigation into reports that the CIA had run secret prisons for suspected terrorists in Poland.
Red Cross Seeking Access To Secret U.S. Terror Prisoners RFE/RL 09 Dec 2005 -- The Red Cross says it seeking access to prisoners held in secret jails as part of the U.S. war on terrorism.
Red Cross Seeks Access to All US Terrorism Detainees VOA 09 Dec 2005 -- The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross says his organization is in intense dialogue with U.S. authorities to gain access to all detainees held under the struggle against terrorism.
European Socialists call for inquiry into CIA prisons IRNA 09 Dec 2005 -- The leader of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, called Friday for the setting up of an EP committee of inquiry into alleged CIA-operated prisons and secret flights over EU territory.
EU Urged to Behave Itself as Befitting Its Status KCNA 09 Dec 2005 -- There is a widespread rumor worldwide that the U.S. operates secret prisons in East European countries and CIA planes with "POWs" on board are using airports of European countries in secrecy.
NATO Chief Says Rice Cleared the Air on Detainees Washington File 08 Dec 2005 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, praising NATO’s role as a trans-Atlantic forum for political dialogue, said there was a serious discussion on questions concerning the war on terrorism and detainee policy during the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting December 8 in Brussels, Belgium.
NATO Chief: Rice 'Cleared the Air' on Detainee Charges VOA 08 Dec 2005 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has briefed NATO and European Union colleagues on the Bush administration response to allegations the CIA has abused terrorism suspects and had secret detention sites in Europe.
NATO: Ministers Discuss U.S. Terror 'Dilemma' RFE/RL 08 Dec 2005 -- Today's meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels was overshadowed by the controversy that has erupted in Europe over allegations that the United States is using unlawful tactics in the fight against terrorism.
U.S. Detainees VOA 08 Dec 2005 -- US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice embarked on a visit to Europe this week to reassure allies disturbed about reports of secret U.S. prisons and mistreatment of terrorist suspects.
US Intelligence Officials Visit Philippines to Assess Security VOA 08 Dec 2005 -- A senior U.S. politician and expert on intelligence has praised the Philippines for its efforts to fight terrorism, but warns that fight will continue.
U.S.: Do Rice's Remarks On Torture Amount To Policy Shift? RFE/RL 07 Dec 2005 -- Amid an uproar over allegations that the United States may have abused detained terrorist suspects, Washington today signaled what appeared to be a shift in its policy.
CIA secret prisons not on formal agenda of NATO FMs IRNA 07 Dec 2005 -- The row over CIA-run secret prisons and flights in Europe is not on the agenda of the formal annual meeting of foreign ministers from the 26-member North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Brussels Thursday, a NATO official told reporters Wednesday.
U.S. Ban on Torture Applies Worldwide, Rice Says Washington File 07 Dec 2005 -- The United States bans its personnel from subjecting detainees to cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment no matter where in the world they happen to be, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said during a news conference in Ukraine December 7.
Berlin reiterates stance on CIA kidnapping of German citizen IRNA 07 Dec 2005 -- German government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm reaffirmed statements by Chancellor Angela Merkel who said the US has confessed to making a mistake in kidnapping a German national and jailing him in a secret prison in Afghanistan.
Rice Says U.S. Bound By Torture Convention Worldwide RFE/RL 07 Dec 2005 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, speaking today in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, said the United Nations’ Convention against Torture applies to all U.S. personnel, with no exceptions, everywhere in the world.
Rice Says American Ban on Mistreating Prisoners Applies Worldwide VOA 07 Dec 2005 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday a ban on U.S. personnel subjecting detainees to cruel treatment extends worldwide.
Poll Indicates US Allies Oppose Secret Terrorist Suspect Interrogations VOA 06 Dec 2005 -- A new opinion poll conducted in eight nations that are U.S. allies indicates a majority of people do not want the United States to secretly interrogate suspected terrorists in their country.
U.S. Admits Sending German Terror Suspect To Afghanistan RFE/RL 06 Dec 2005 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel today said that the United States has admitted mistakenly detaining a Lebanese-born German citizen.
U.S. Following Rule of Law, Rice Tells German Chancellor Washington File 06 Dec 2005 -- The United States will do everything it can within the limits of the law to protect its people against terrorists, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said while meeting with Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin December 6.
Merkel urges US to uphold 'democratic principles' in anti-terror war IRNA 06 Dec 2005 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on the United States to adhere to 'democratic principles' in its global anti-terror campaign after news reports surfaced about controversial CIA acts in Europe.
U.S.: Rice Using Trip To Defend Terror Practices, As European Governments Face Tough Questions RFE/RL 06 Dec 2005 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is in Europe today for talks that are expected to address the reported use of European airports for the transit of terrorist suspects, and whether the United States has been operating secret prisons for terrorist suspects on European soil.
Rice, Merkel Discuss Anti-Terrorism Tactics VOA 06 Dec 2005 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said German-American counter-terrorism cooperation will continue, despite the controversy over alleged secret U.S. detention sites in Europe.
Rice Begins Europe Tour Amid Detainee Allegations RFE/RL 06 Dec 2005 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has arrived in Berlin for talks today with new German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Rice Reiterates U.S. Does Not Condone Torture RFE/RL 06 Dec 2005 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the United States "does not condone torture."
U.S. Doesn't Condone Torture of Captive Terrorists, Rice Says AFPS 05 Dec 2005 -- The United States is a law-abiding nation and never has transported captured terrorists to another country to be tortured as part of the interrogation process, the senior U.S. diplomat said today.
Secret CIA prisons no thorn in Europe-US relations IRNA 05 Dec 2005 -- The European Union is not expected to make any fuss with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who this week begins a four-nation European tour, over reports that the American secret service, the CIA, is using airports and secret prisons to incarcerate terror suspects on European soil.
Transcript: Remarks Upon Her Departure for Europe US Department of State 05 Dec 2005Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the United States does not permit or tolerate the torture of any terrorists detained in its custody.
Rice in Europe to Defend US Anti-Terrorism Tactics VOA 05 Dec 2005 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, beginning a four-nation European trip, says she hopes U.S. allies can refocus on how to deal with terrorism after a new assurance that CIA tactics in the terror war are lawful and do not involve torture.
Rice Defends Detainee Treatment VOA 05 Dec 2005 -- Defending U.S. policy on the detention of terrorism suspects, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice says other governments have to decide if they want to cooperate with the United States in anti-terrorist efforts
U.S.: Rice Trying To Mend Fences In Europe RFE/RL 05 Dec 2005 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is using a tour of European capitals this week to ask allies to ease the pressure on the United States over allegations that the CIA has run secret prisons for terrorist suspects in some European countries.
Romania Demands Proof Of CIA-Prison Allegations RFE/RL 04 Dec 2005 -- Romania has asked the rights organization Human Rights Watch for detailed evidence to support the group's allegations that Romania may have hosted secret CIA prisons for terrorist suspects
Rice to Address Reports of Secret CIA Prisons During Europe Trip VOA 04 Dec 2005 -- The White House says Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will address reports of secret U.S. prisons during her trip to Europe this week.
Air traffic controllers report 437 CIA flights over Germany: Spiegel IRNA 03 Dec 2005 -- At least 437 CIA flights either made stopovers in Germany or crossed its air space over the past years, Germany's national air traffic control agency said in a report submitted to the German government.
US Readies Public Statement on Alleged Secret Prisons VOA 03 Dec 2005 -- The Bush administration is preparing a public statement on news reports the C.I.A. has operated secret detention sites in Europe for suspected terrorists.
EU interior ministers ignore CIA secret jails issue IRNA 02 Dec 2005 -- The European Union Justice and Home Affairs Council, meeting in Brussels Thursday, did not discuss the issue of CIA secret jails and prisoner flights in Europe which is causing an international uproar.
U.S. Aerial Espionage against DPRK in November under Fire KCNA 02 Dec 2005 -- The U.S. imperialists committed more than 210 cases of aerial espionage against the DPRK in November by mobilizing reconnaissance planes of different types, according to a military source.
UK MPs press for answers over US 'rendition flights' IRNA 01 Dec 2005 -- A new all-party group of MPs has been set up to challenge the British government to clarify whether UK airports have been used by US planes to ferry terrorist suspects to secret internment camps in eastern Europe.
EU Discussing Probe Into CIA Prison Allegations RFE/RL 01 Dec 2005 -- The European Union is set to push today for a formal EU probe into allegations that the CIA transported terrorist suspects and held them in secret prisons across Eastern Europe.
EU: Controversy Heats Up Over Alleged CIA Prisons, Flights RFE/RL 01 Dec 2005 -- The European Union today began looking into launching a formal EU probe into allegations that the CIA transported terrorist suspects and held them in secret prisons across Eastern Europe.