Key Briefings for Kerry Delayed

[Feanorcurufinwe]

Aides to President Bush and John F. Kerry are sparring over the terms for intelligence briefings for the Democratic presidential nominee, delaying the post-convention overview typically given to the challenger. Those on Bush's side say the Kerry campaign is insisting on having briefings outside of Washington -- a hardship for top CIA officials during a time of heightened threats -- and is demanding that an unusually large number of Kerry advisers be permitted to participate in the highly classified sessions. Those on Kerry's side say it is the Bush administration that has been slow to deal with the logistics, including security clearances, needed for the briefings.

The result is that at a time when access to sensitive intelligence is more important than ever for national leaders, a skirmish between the White House and the Kerry campaign has postponed the sort of intelligence-sharing that has been standard during presidential races over the past half-century.

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Kerry allies say Rice told them to expect a call from acting CIA Director John E. McLaughlin, but nothing happened until this past Friday, when CIA chief of staff John H. Moseman called. Now, they say, they are waiting for the requested security clearances.

Kerry aides declined to discuss the dispute on the record. "We are just waiting for the White House to grant appropriate clearances," campaign spokesman Chad Clanton said.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13218-2004Aug18.html