More on Cheneys CIA Plot

Hey Vice-Precedence Readers!

I am sure many of you remember my previous post-Cheney and the CIA Plot!-last month. Its a post that got a lot of attention since it was about how new CIA Director Leon Panetta canceled a program in the CIA that was started a few weeks after 9/11 that was later revealed to be the training and formation of assassination squads who would go after the top Al-Queda leaders. The program was kept secret from Congressional leaders on VP Cheneys orders and never really got off the ground due to logistical issues. Director Panetta dissolved the program and then informed Congress about it and about how VP Cheney had ordered people in the CIA to not tell Congressional leaders about it. There are more details in the previous blog if you are interested. Some members of Congress were furious about this program being kept secret from them and are still debating about having hearings about this and calling former VP Cheney to testify.

Well now it has been revealed by The New York Times in an article by Mark Mazzetti that in 2004, Blackwater-the extremely controversial private-security firm, was hired by the CIA for a still unknown part in this plan. Though it is speculated they were used for reconnaissance and training.

The Times quoted Paul Gimigliano, a CIA spokesman, who would not provide details about the canceled program, but said Director Panetta's decision on the assassination program was "clear and straightforward."

"Director Panetta thought this effort should be briefed to Congress, and he did so," Gimigliano said. "He also knew it hadn't been successful, so he ended it."

Blackwater which is located in North Carolina, has since changed its name to Xe Services in an attempt to make the public forget about its negative reputation brought on by numerous incidents. The idea that the CIA needed to bring in a privately owned company for a program involving the assassination of enemies of the U.S. is part of the reason why Director Panetta canceled the program. To read the full article (and I recommend you do because its fascinating) copy and paste the link below into your browser.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/20/us/20intel.html

One wonders how Mr. Cheney will respond to these new revelations and if they will spur Congress to actually have the hearings that some want to have and call former VP Cheney to testify. Stay tuned here for any breaking news on this subject and thanks for reading.

Matt Saxe