As I drove around today, listening to this afternoon's press conference with the Honorable Patrick Fitzgerald, my interest was piqued by one reporter's question regarding the use of titles versus names on the indictments. So, I ran briefly through
the indictments, and after sending out the Googling Monkeys, put together this quick Who's Who of possible name association with named titles.
4. On or about May 29, 2003, in the White House, LIBBY asked an Under Secretary of State ("Under Secretary") for information concerning the unnamed ambassador's travel to Niger to investigate claims about Iraqi efforts to acquire uranium yellowcake. The Under Secretary thereafter directed the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research to prepare a report concerning the ambassador and his trip. The Under Secretary provided LIBBY with interim oral reports in late May and early June 2003, and advised LIBBY that Wilson was the former ambassador who took the trip.
The Choices of Under Secretaries in 2003 were:
Under Secretary for Political Affairs: Marc Grossman
Under Secretary for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs: Alan Larson
Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Affairs: John Bolton
Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs: Margaret DeB. Tutwiler
Under Secretary for Management: Grant S. Green
Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs: Paula J. Dobriansky
5. On or about June 9, 2003, a number of classified documents from the CIA were faxed to the Office of the Vice President to the personal attention of LIBBY and another person in the Office of the Vice President. The faxed documents, which were marked as classified, discussed, among other things, Wilson and his trip to Niger, but did not mention Wilson by name. After receiving these documents, LIBBY and one or more other persons in the Office of the Vice President handwrote the names "Wilson" and "Joe Wilson" on the documents.
Who is "another person in the Office of the Vice President", inquiring minds want to know. No further information is provided in the indictment.
7. On or about June 11, 2003, LIBBY spoke with a senior officer of the CIA to ask about the origin and circumstances of Wilson's trip, and was advised by the CIA officer that Wilson's wife worked at the CIA and was believed to be responsible for sending Wilson on the trip.
While sending out the Googling Monkeys, I noticed that Larry Johnson over at TMPCafe was providing some background information as well. According to his speculations:
Now it gets interesting. Who is the senior CIA officer? There are several possibilities. For example, John Bolton's Chief of Staff, Fred Fleitz is a CIA officer (no longer undercover) who was in a position to get information about Valerie. At the NSC there were several CIA personnel, including David Shedd, who is now on the staff of John Negroponte. It could also be someone from CIA Headquarters. We will probably have to wait for the trial to get some insight on this front.
My money is on Flietz.
11. On or about June 14, 2003, LIBBY met with a CIA briefer. During their conversation he expressed displeasure that CIA officials were making comments to reporters critical of the Vice President's office, and discussed with the briefer, among other things, "Joe Wilson" and his wife "Valerie Wilson," in the context of Wilson's trip to Niger.
Another big question mark. No further info at this time, but I'll update when/if the monkeys find more.
13. Shortly after publication of the article in The New Republic, LIBBY spoke by telephone with his then Principal Deputy and discussed the article. That official asked LIBBY whether information about Wilson's trip could be shared with the press to rebut the allegations that the Vice President had sent Wilson. LIBBY responded that there would be complications at the CIA in disclosing that information publicly, and that he could not discuss the matter on a non-secure telephone line.
Eric Edelman and John Hannah (on loan from Bolton's office) were Principal Deputy National Security Advisors to Vice President Cheney in 2003.
16. On or about July 7, 2003, LIBBY had lunch with the then White House Press Secretary and advised the Press Secretary that Wilson's wife worked at the CIA and noted that such information was not widely known.
Ari Fleischer
18. Also on or about July 8, 2003, LIBBY met with the Counsel to the Vice President in an anteroom outside the Vice President's Office. During their brief conversation, LIBBY asked the Counsel to the Vice President, in sum and substance, what paperwork there would be at the CIA if an employee's spouse undertook an overseas trip.
David Addington has held the position of Counsel to the Vice President since 2001. Addington has a very long history with Cheney; in fact, they met when Addington was counsel for the House Intelligence Committee during the Iran-Contra years.
19. Not earlier than June 2003, but on or before July 8, 2003, the Assistant to the Vice President for Public Affairs learned from another government official that Wilson's wife worked at the CIA, and advised LIBBY of this information.
According to a White House press release dated December 13, 2002, Catherine Martin replaced Mary Matalin in this position on December 31, 2002.
21. On or about July 10 or July 11, 2003, LIBBY spoke to a senior official in the White House ("Official A") who advised LIBBY of a conversation Official A had earlier that week with columnist Robert Novak in which Wilson's wife was discussed as a CIA employee involved in Wilson's trip. LIBBY was advised by Official A that Novak would be writing a story about Wilson's wife.
According to NPR's Nina Totenberg, Karl Rove is "Official A". I understand AP now states the same.
Well, more to come when time allows. For now, kids are hungry and dinner is on the stove.