Release of Iraq intelligence report sought

WASHINGTON — The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee accused the Bush administration Thursday of suppressing a classified intelligence report that paints a "grim" picture of the situation in Iraq.

Rep. Jane Harman (D-Venice) sent a letter to CIA Director Michael V. Hayden requesting the release of the report and charging that the agency was withholding the information out of political considerations, which she said was demoralizing to the agency's workforce.

"I believe that the intelligence community has produced an in-depth intelligence review of Iraq, but that the material has been stamped 'draft' and will not be finalized" until after the November election, Harman said in the letter, which was released by her office. "The integrity of the organization you lead is at stake."

The letter underscores the simmering political tensions in Washington over intelligence reports that have provided fodder for Democrats in their criticism of the Bush administration's foreign policy and management of the war in Iraq.

Last month, the White House, under pressure, declassified a separate intelligence assessment — called a National Intelligence Estimate — that concluded the Iraq war was exacerbating the Islamic terrorist threat by fueling resentment toward the United States and providing a training ground for terrorist recruits.

Read the rest at the LA Times

Related Link:
Declassified Intel: Iraq is 'cause celebre' for extremists

Related Link:
Leaked U.K. Defense report mirrors UN, U.S. reports of Iraq as terrorist recruiting tool 'across the Muslim World'