Despite Earlier Denials, Presidential Adviser Karl Rove Played Key Role in Illegal Disclosure of CIA Agent's Identity

Interview with Robert Jensen, professor of journalism at the University of Texas, conducted by Scott Harris

The investigation into who in the White House leaked information to the press about the identity of a covert CIA agent has yielded dramatic new information about the role of President Bush's deputy chief of staff Karl Rove. Time magazine's release of emails indicating that Rove had discussed the CIA career of former U.S. ambassador Joseph Wilson's wife Valerie Plame with Time reporter Matt Cooper contradicted White House statements denying Rove had any role in the affair. According to Rove's attorney, conversations between Rove and Cooper had taken place -- without identifying Plame by name -- and before the CIA officer's identity was first made public in an article written by conservative columnist Robert Novak on July 14, 2003. It is against the law under certain circumstances to reveal a CIA covert operative's identity.

The New York Times' Judith Miller has been jailed on contempt of court charges for her refusal to reveal to federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald the source of information she received about Valerie Plame -- although Miller never published a story on the topic.

Ambassador Wilson had earned the enmity of of the Bush administration after he published an opinion editorial refuting the Bush administration's pre-war claim that Iraq had sought uranium for its nuclear program in the African nation of Niger. Wilson, who believes that the leak of his wife's identity was inteded to punish him and undermine his credibility, had been sent to Africa by the CIA in 2002 to investigate the Iraq-nuclear connection. The White House ignored his findings that the allegations were false. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Robert Jensen, professor of journalism at the University of Texas at Austin, who discusses the Valerie Plame-Karl Rove scandal and the role of journalists in covering the story.

Robert Jensen is author of "Citizens of the Empire: The Struggle to Claim Our Humanity." Read his articles online at www.nowarcollective.com

Related links:

"Critics Question Credibility of FBI Investigation into White House Leak Exposing CIA Operative,"Oct. 17, 2003 interview conducted by Scott Harris.

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