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02-01-2005, 06:26 AM
Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, and Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y. say the CIA is withholding information about Nazi war criminals, suspects or collaborators who were recruited and hired by the U.S. government after World War II to provide expertise on the former Soviet Union.
"There is still information that we believe the CIA has about the United States' involvement with former Nazis," said DeWine. "We need to get this information out."
Documents released last year indicate there was a closer relationship than previously thought between the United States and individuals with Nazi ties after WWII. A working group created to declassify the information is trying to determine exactly what they did for the CIA and the status of their employment.
This request challenges the CIA's deeply held reluctance to release any intelligence-related information and the law's broad mandate for disclosing details about Nazi war criminals.
A CIA spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the agency is withholding some information, but said the law provides for an exemption when it comes to protecting sources and methods.
The CIA already has acknowledged that it or its predecessor agency, the Office of Strategic Services, had a relationship with some individuals later found to be war criminals and provided a general description of their operational tasks, the spokesman said.
A report to Congress, which is required to qualify for an exemption from releasing the documents, was expected to be submitted very soon, the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, DeWine and Maloney planned to meet Tuesday with CIA officials and other members of the governmental working group. If an agreement on releasing the documents isn't reached, DeWine said he will lead a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the issue Feb. 15.
"It has been 50 years and there is really no reason to keep this information secret at this point," DeWine said. "We have to bring closure to this."
The working group — officially called the Nazi War Crimes and Japanese Imperial Government Records Interagency Working Group — is to disband in March. That is what prompted officials to come forward with complaints that the CIA is holding back information, Maloney said.
"The CIA alone refuses to comply fully with the law," Maloney said. "They seem to be stalling until the law sunsets."
Both DeWine and Maloney said they would consider pushing legislation in Congress to extend the group's mandate if the disagreement with the CIA isn't resolved.
O/U - on how many times Grandpappy Bush's name comes up?
/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
"There is still information that we believe the CIA has about the United States' involvement with former Nazis," said DeWine. "We need to get this information out."
Documents released last year indicate there was a closer relationship than previously thought between the United States and individuals with Nazi ties after WWII. A working group created to declassify the information is trying to determine exactly what they did for the CIA and the status of their employment.
This request challenges the CIA's deeply held reluctance to release any intelligence-related information and the law's broad mandate for disclosing details about Nazi war criminals.
A CIA spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the agency is withholding some information, but said the law provides for an exemption when it comes to protecting sources and methods.
The CIA already has acknowledged that it or its predecessor agency, the Office of Strategic Services, had a relationship with some individuals later found to be war criminals and provided a general description of their operational tasks, the spokesman said.
A report to Congress, which is required to qualify for an exemption from releasing the documents, was expected to be submitted very soon, the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, DeWine and Maloney planned to meet Tuesday with CIA officials and other members of the governmental working group. If an agreement on releasing the documents isn't reached, DeWine said he will lead a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the issue Feb. 15.
"It has been 50 years and there is really no reason to keep this information secret at this point," DeWine said. "We have to bring closure to this."
The working group — officially called the Nazi War Crimes and Japanese Imperial Government Records Interagency Working Group — is to disband in March. That is what prompted officials to come forward with complaints that the CIA is holding back information, Maloney said.
"The CIA alone refuses to comply fully with the law," Maloney said. "They seem to be stalling until the law sunsets."
Both DeWine and Maloney said they would consider pushing legislation in Congress to extend the group's mandate if the disagreement with the CIA isn't resolved.
O/U - on how many times Grandpappy Bush's name comes up?
/images/graemlins/shocked.gif