Wyden: Intelligence Reports Overclassified, Public Should Have Access to More

“Parts of these reports read like a dictionary with the definitions cut out,” Wyden said.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - Following the Senate Intelligence Committee’s release of two of five planned reports on pre-war Iraq intelligence, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today criticized the excessive classification of the report and said he would urge an independent board that oversees classification of information to review the documents to determine if in fact too much was kept secret.

Wyden, who serves on the Intelligence Committee, said he would ask the Public Interest Declassification Board to examine the two reports and make a recommendation as to whether information that was not sensitive was improperly classified.

“Parts of these reports read like a dictionary with the definitions cut out,” Wyden said. “I am very troubled that some information in these reports has been classified even though its release would have no impact on national security. I am particularly concerned it appears that information may have been classified to shield individuals from accountability. We must strike a balance between protecting legitimate national security interests and ensuring people’s rights to information about their safety and security.”

During passage of the 2004 Intelligence Reform Act, Wyden and a bipartisan group of Senators worked to expand the mandate of the Public Interest Declassification Board to make recommendations on whether or not documents were properly classified. The Senators worked the next year to secure funding for the Board, which met for the first time this year.

Wyden’s request to the Board will mark the first time that a Member of Congress has taken advantage of the Board’s function as a watchdog of classification policy. Wyden said the Board could provide judgments independent of both the Congress and the Administration as to classification.

“I think the intelligence community used their black highlighters excessively as they reviewed these reports,” Wyden said. “The American people have a right to see these documents and decide for themselves whether they agree with our conclusions. It will be more difficult for them to do that if these documents are overly – and improperly – classified.”

Wyden continued, “This is a textbook case of abuse of the classification system. Unfortunately, this sort of intelligence abuse has gone on for years and it’s just not good government.”

The first of the two reports, which was approved by the Intelligence Committee 14-1, analyzes post-invasion findings regarding Saddam Hussein’s alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction and links to terrorism. It concludes that the Saddam regime did not possess weapons of mass destruction and was not actively pursuing them. It also concludes that Saddam did not have an active relationship with Al-Qaida and generally was distrustful of Osama bin Laden and his associates.

The second report examines the use of intelligence provided by the Iraqi National Congress (INC) to the U.S. intelligence community. That report, which the Intelligence Committee approved 11-4, concludes that the INC attempted to influence U.S. policy and provided false information through defectors about weapons of mass destruction and Saddam’s links to terrorism.

Additionally, Wyden, along with the six other Democratic members of the Intelligence Committee, submitted additional views along with the reports in which they outlined areas in which Administration officials made statements about WMD and links to terrorism that exaggerated or went beyond available intelligence. Wyden stated that portions of these additional views were overclassified as well.

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Hank Ruark September 13, 2006 10:39 am (Pacific time)

EQ: Appreciate your candor and urge you to continue...but we now well understand that "belly-button" minus solid factual foundations from authoritative sources ain't "opinion" --merely mouth-muscle. If public, you are responsible for its impacts as well as for how it feeds your own psyche...and I state that coming from same-situation as yours, not so long ago, after death of my beloved wife of 60 years. Others here need to learn from our remorseless needling mutually, since that makes dialog that much more meaningful when fairly conducted. Re insult and malediction, those normally are triggered when received-here, I have noted. Understand your need for anonymity, having "been there" myself --but yours when well set out worth much wider audience, and I repeat invitation for Op Ed...keep it cool and continue dialog-ing, friend...I'll sure as h... listen whenever you speak.

eqriddler September 13, 2006 9:48 am (Pacific time)

Hank, OK. Numbigher one it's not fair that I have to provide a raft of information to document my belly button (gut) feelings, because no one else is doing that. Two, I could make a stronger case based on personal observation and opinion, but I already said he's fishing politically and I was treated unfairly because no one said "Ron's a mighty bulwark". And finally, what does it matter if I'm half your age or twice your age, or a masked one, is it not reasonable to discourse on the issues and be considered for thought? I feel safer as an unknown however irrational that may sound to you. It gives me freedom to make mistakes and I don't have to be accountable to anyone but myself. That's a pretty risky statement to admit to and would be fodder for the neer sayers. You said I loose by offering you the last word, but I view it as graciousness, Especially after being derided by you. May I offer opposition that challenges your comfort zone. It can only lead to a more careful consideration of the issues and baring intimidation, I might be enriched by yours as well.

Hank Ruark September 12, 2006 10:44 pm (Pacific time)

EQ: Well ?? What are you waiting for ? Been several hours, all the time it takes to present a cogent view on any issue, here or as Op Ed. We all listening, friend...and "the market" awaits your product.

Hank Ruark September 12, 2006 6:50 pm (Pacific time)

"Last word" always a loser, in dialog, since it means efforts to learn on both sides has ended. IF you wish to write Op Ed, do so, with documentation moving it from belly-button level to disquisition on factual basis accessible to all, and submit it...to any daily, including S-N...my invitation, sincerely offered...and don't stay hidden behind computer-shield. Put it right out there "in the market place" of ideas, for all to see, sense, sample and check for reality and whatever else you can add to it.

eqriddler September 12, 2006 4:35 pm (Pacific time)

Albert, I care. But not about winning an insulting contest. The lack of discussion on the issues points to a lack of concern about them which is what this forum should be about. Some have made it otherwise and that's too bad. Arguments on the issues are positive because the provoke THOUGHT not emotion. And don't bow down to Hank, he's smart but so are you and compliments should be outside the scope of this forum too. So, my bad.

eqriddler September 12, 2006 4:29 pm (Pacific time)

Hank, glad you seem more relaxed. I reserve the last word for you.

Hank Ruark September 12, 2006 10:13 am (Pacific time)

That's odd...I seem to hear a peculiar echo from the shelf where I ignore my pierced specimens...will report if extraneous noise further challenges this channel.

Albert Marnell September 12, 2006 6:37 am (Pacific time)

eqriddler, "Thrill Me With Your Acumen" was said by Hannibal Lechter in "Silence of the Lambs." Hank Ruark deserves the utmost respect. You know and care nothing of his backround or the backround of others that have been around and have wisdom that only years of "serious living" can bring. You are young and disrespectful. You can change your name but you are on my ignore list. You push people away, try another attitude and take a good hard look at yourself. You want to play "One Upsmanship" with everyone. Life does not work that way. You are out of my group. Let others deal and fall for your hooks.

Hank Ruark September 11, 2006 11:20 pm (Pacific time)

Eq> Goodby friend = you're classified, pin stuck=through and on shelf with other specimens.

eqriddler September 11, 2006 9:58 pm (Pacific time)

Hank, relax. Now that my mask is off, would you thrill me with your acumen? I like going to chat rooms where people discuss the issues as if they cared about them and others who disagree with them make comments of more or less equal substance. Your last communique was beyond excessive. And again, not right. Would you agree the criteria for classifying should be changed?

Hank Ruark September 11, 2006 7:11 pm (Pacific time)

EQ: NOW I know...your mask slipped...you're...wait for it...JOE BLOW !! Right ? Yeah...RIGHT.

eqriddler September 11, 2006 4:31 pm (Pacific time)

Hank, you're no Jack etc. I measure quality of substance against need for solution way out here. In this case (1)there is no substance (2) solution as defined is really cover for "let's get Bush". Cut me some slack, what did royal George do? Not the spin the facts.

Hank Ruark September 11, 2006 12:04 pm (Pacific time)

Thank you,BonJ...and Eq,"I knew Jack Kennedy..." you know the rest...and your rusty political policies are showing quite clearly. SO how do you measure "lust for power" from 'way out here ? AND did you try that ruler of yours on royal George...whose actions brought on the Wyden reaction.

eqriddler September 11, 2006 11:07 am (Pacific time)

Ron should say what he means. "Lets change the criteria we use to classify". That's all. Then all this stuff about shielding people would come out. But as it is, he asserts without evidence that (1) would have no impact on national security. (2) attempt to shield from accountability. He doesn't have evidence but he does lust for power.

BonJ September 11, 2006 10:03 am (Pacific time)

eq- another thing JFK said is "the only thing to fear is fear itself". And what are we, if not completely managed through fear by our government today? No, JFK wasn't the first to say it, but he immortalized the saying just as well. FEAR is our greatest enemy, and terror comes in many forms. It is our responsiblity to not let any authoritarian run amuk. No matter what your party line. Open your mind and make your own judgements, be skeptical, question authority (yes, it's allowed) and let yourself walk in another's shoes long enough to understand that there is no perfect answer, but many small solutions. Ron Wyden is doing the right thing by noting this disparaging display of unnecessary classifications, all in the name of protecting us, getting no closer to resolution. We are in this together, after all.

Oregon voter September 11, 2006 9:53 am (Pacific time)

Good Job Ron! That's what we elected you for! Watch those playground bullies, they'll steal the ball every time. And, they'll NEVER CHANGE. Out they should go!

Albert Marnell September 10, 2006 9:36 am (Pacific time)

The case against Bush has already been sealed quite some time ago. Anyone who watched the non-speculative documentaries about 9/11 on the internet, such as "The Truth and Lies of 9/11" would have come to this conclusion a long time ago. Do not get your information from the television. It is all controlled by a few large corporations in bed with the administration. They get taken care of for what they do for Osama Bin Bush. This administration are the real terrorists and they have us in a paranoid police state based on a copy cat act of the Reichstag Fire. Any American who backs the new Hitler will be held accountable in years to come. The large group of people associated with this administration wants to do what Hitler wanted....to control the world and create a domestic police state. If you do not already know, every bank, brokerage house, financial institution has already given a group of incompetent Haus Frau men and women the orders to snoop and based upon their conjecture they can easily terminate their financial relationship with you. If your banker has been extra friendly lately it is because of the orders from Washington D.C., not because they like you.

eqriddler September 10, 2006 2:54 am (Pacific time)

Wyden just wants to make a case against Bush. He's a Democrat it's what they do. Bush is trying to fight something SOME people agree with. I don't care if Wyden doesn't want to do anything about 9-11 or bin Laden etc., but he tries to stop ALL the plans of the Republicans instead of making plans that people want. I'll listen to him if he says "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." ,which is what Democrat President John F. Kennedy said. But Wyden says he's so concerned about the "public's right to information about their safety and security.", he would rather fling open the door of information to anyone so long as HE was the one doing the flinging. He's not upholding our safety by nit picking. Does he say something specific? No! Just general nit picking about someone else's job to highlight stuff. If he can't do better than that, he should find something else to do.

BULL September 9, 2006 9:23 am (Pacific time)

There have always been terrorist. You do not start wars with countrys and start a out of control police state because of terrorists. This is especially true because 9/11 was allowed to happen.

Blackhill September 9, 2006 6:12 am (Pacific time)

You're spot on, Albert.

Albert Marnell September 8, 2006 9:52 pm (Pacific time)

Welcome to the Fourth Reich. You watched too much television and you got the government that you deserved. Get rid of that Gosh Darn cable and only get your news from the internet. President Bush it got elected because you America are too lazy to do your homework and expect your news fed on a tube to be honest and accurate. You really believe what they tell you? This is the most evil and out of control administration that I have ever lived under. They got you where they want you and it is not over yet. Keep them stupid and in Red, White and Blue fantasy so we can seal our power and their fate. This is just like Hitler.

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