President Obama at a press conference this morning insisted that high-level national security leaks are not coming from the White House. "The notion that my White House would purposefully release classified information is offensive," President Obama said.
But a Republican memo from the Senate Republican Policy Committee maintains that either the president or the New York Times is wrong.
"It would appear the President’s statement and the New York Times statements directly conflict with each other and cannot both be true at the same time," the memo states.
For proof, the memo highlights Obama's denial that the White House is responsible for the leaks and certain statements in the Times's stories.
"If that statement were meant to serve as a denial that the Obama Administration leaked classified information, it would appear to stand in direct contrast to the New York Times article describing the President’s personal involvement in a process 'to designate terrorists for kill or capture,'" the memo states. "One of the opening paragraphs described the methodology for compiling the story, saying 'three dozen' of the President’s 'current and former advisers' were interview sources for the story."
The memo cites another example that would seem to contradict the president's statement: "A second story, about cyberattacks on Iran nuclear facilities, citied discussions with 'officials involved in the program,' and went on to say that program 'remains highly classified.'"
In his conference, President Obama assured the American public that an investigation would be done. We'll see, then, who is right: the New York Times or the president.
Republicans on Leaks: Either President or Times Is Wrong | The Weekly Standard
NYT articles and related story:
Obama Order Sped Up Wave of Cyberattacks Against Iran
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/01/w...d-wave-of-cyberattacks-against-iran.html?_r=2
Secret ‘Kill List’ Proves a Test of Obama’s Principles and Will
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/29/world/obamas-leadership-in-war-on-al-qaeda.html
Obama: Leak allegations are 'offensive'
Obama: Leak allegations are 'offensive'
But a Republican memo from the Senate Republican Policy Committee maintains that either the president or the New York Times is wrong.
"It would appear the President’s statement and the New York Times statements directly conflict with each other and cannot both be true at the same time," the memo states.
For proof, the memo highlights Obama's denial that the White House is responsible for the leaks and certain statements in the Times's stories.
"If that statement were meant to serve as a denial that the Obama Administration leaked classified information, it would appear to stand in direct contrast to the New York Times article describing the President’s personal involvement in a process 'to designate terrorists for kill or capture,'" the memo states. "One of the opening paragraphs described the methodology for compiling the story, saying 'three dozen' of the President’s 'current and former advisers' were interview sources for the story."
The memo cites another example that would seem to contradict the president's statement: "A second story, about cyberattacks on Iran nuclear facilities, citied discussions with 'officials involved in the program,' and went on to say that program 'remains highly classified.'"
In his conference, President Obama assured the American public that an investigation would be done. We'll see, then, who is right: the New York Times or the president.
Republicans on Leaks: Either President or Times Is Wrong | The Weekly Standard
NYT articles and related story:
Obama Order Sped Up Wave of Cyberattacks Against Iran
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/01/w...d-wave-of-cyberattacks-against-iran.html?_r=2
Secret ‘Kill List’ Proves a Test of Obama’s Principles and Will
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/29/world/obamas-leadership-in-war-on-al-qaeda.html
Obama: Leak allegations are 'offensive'
Obama: Leak allegations are 'offensive'
