Telecoms Barred By WH From Disclosing Spying

[babylonsister]

Obstruction of justice?


Telecoms Barred From Disclosing Spying

By PAMELA HESS, Associated Press Writer


(10-15) 16:28 PDT WASHINGTON (AP) --

Three telecommunications companies have declined to tell Congress whether they gave U.S. intelligence agencies access to Americans' phone and computer records without court orders, citing White House objections and national security.

Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell "formally invoked the state secrets privilege to prevent AT&T from either confirming or denying" any details about intelligence programs, AT&T general counsel Wayne Watts wrote in a letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Qwest and Verizon also declined to answer, saying the federal government has prohibited them from providing information, discussing or referring to any classified intelligence activities.

"Our company essentially finds itself caught in the middle of an oversight dispute between the Congress and the executive relating to government surveillance activities," Watts wrote.

The White House declined to comment on the matter Monday.

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http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/10/15/national/w155948D89.DTL