WASHINGTON (AP)-[off the wire, no link, similar story here]-Invoking a U.S. Senate procedure, Senate Democrats forced the Republican-controlled chamber into an unusual closed session Tuesday, demanding answers about intelligence that led to the Iraq war. Republicans quickly derided the move as a political stunt.
In a speech on the Senate floor, Democratic leader Harry Reid said the American people and U.S. troops deserved to know the details of how the U.S. became engaged in the war, particularly in light of the indictment of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff.
Reid demanded the Senate go into closed session. This was seconded by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. The public was ordered out of the chamber, the lights were dimmed, senators filed to their seats on the floor and the doors were closed. No vote is required in such circumstances.
"The Libby indictment provides a window into what this is really all about, how this administration manufactured and manipulated intelligence in order to sell the war in Iraq and attempted to destroy those who dared to challenge its actions," Reid said before the doors were closed.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., quickly lambasted Reid's motion, saying he'd been "slapped in the face" with an "affront to the leadership of this grand institution."
Frist, in remarks broadcast by cable news channels, said, "This is a pure stunt," and said every time in the past that the Senate had gone into closed session it had been done by a mutual consent by both sides.
"This shows the emptiness of the other side of the aisle," Frist said, referring to the Democrats.
The Senate procedure under Rule 21 invoked by the Democrats was the first in 25 years. The action directed the Senate's sergeant-at-arms to clear all galleries, close all doors to the Senate chamber and forbid anyone unauthorized to attend the secret proceedings.
Libby resigned Friday after being indicted on charges of obstruction of justice, making false statements and perjury in an investigation by a special prosecutor into the unauthorized leak of a CIA agent's identity.
Democrats contend that the unmasking of Valerie Plame was retaliation against her husband, former ambassador Joseph Wilson, who publicly challenging the Bush administration's contention that Iraq was seeking to purchase uranium from Africa. That claim was part of the White House's justification for going to war.
Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., said Reid was making "some sort of stink about Scooter Libby and the CIA leak."
A former majority leader, Lott said a closed session is appropriate for such overarching matters as impeachment and chemical weapons - the two topics that last sent the senators into such sessions.
In addition, Lott said, Reid's move violated the Senate's tradition of courtesy and consent. But there was nothing in Senate rules enabling Republicans to thwart Reid's effort.
As Reid spoke, Frist met in the back of the chamber with a half-dozen senior GOP senators, including Intelligence Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, who bore the brunt of Reid's criticism. Reid said Roberts reneged on a promise to fully investigate whether the administration exaggerated and manipulated intelligence leading up to the war.
Copyright © 2005 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.(AP-DJ)--11-01-05 1540EST |
