No. 2 Intelligence Official: Domestic Wiretaps are `Targeted'
James Gordon Meek
New York Daily News
San Jose Mercury News
_________________
Washington (US):
Gen. Michael Hayden, the nation's No. 2 intelligence official, defended domestic eavesdropping Monday, insisting the U.S. doesn't waste time spying on innocent Americans.
While Hayden joined President Bush in arguing the National Security Agency program is legal, Senate Judiciary panel chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said that claims Congress' Sept. 11 resolution authorized it are "a stretch."
Still, he quashed talk of charging Bush - telling CNN he "may be wrong but he's not subject to impeachment."Hayden, once head of the National Security Agency, sought to reassure the agency's warrantless wiretaps are "targeted."
"It's very carefully done. You shouldn't worry," he said. "This is about al-Qaida."The deputy director of national intelligence said teams of government lawyers had signed off on the secret wiretapping.
"We're not violating the law," Hayden insisted. "Had this program been in effect prior to 9/11, it is my professional judgment that we would have detected some of the al-Qaida operatives in the United States."
Jan 24, 2006
James Gordon Meek
New York Daily News
San Jose Mercury News
_________________
Washington (US):
Gen. Michael Hayden, the nation's No. 2 intelligence official, defended domestic eavesdropping Monday, insisting the U.S. doesn't waste time spying on innocent Americans.
While Hayden joined President Bush in arguing the National Security Agency program is legal, Senate Judiciary panel chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said that claims Congress' Sept. 11 resolution authorized it are "a stretch."
Still, he quashed talk of charging Bush - telling CNN he "may be wrong but he's not subject to impeachment."Hayden, once head of the National Security Agency, sought to reassure the agency's warrantless wiretaps are "targeted."
"It's very carefully done. You shouldn't worry," he said. "This is about al-Qaida."The deputy director of national intelligence said teams of government lawyers had signed off on the secret wiretapping.
"We're not violating the law," Hayden insisted. "Had this program been in effect prior to 9/11, it is my professional judgment that we would have detected some of the al-Qaida operatives in the United States."
Jan 24, 2006
