Condoleezza Rice knows deep down that she wants the State Department to cooperate with the House oversight committee’s investigation of Iraqi corruption issues. She just wants to make sure that sources and methods are protected, and that the committee stays discreet, she said during today’s hearing.
Unfortunately, obscure bureaucrats like State’s Joel Starr have told the committee that it can’t publicly discuss things like “Broad statements/assessments which judge or characterize the quality of Iraqi governance or the ability/determination of the Iraqi government to deal with corruption, including allegations that investigations were thwarted/stifled for political reasons.”
“I didn’t make this directive,” Rice said when Rep. Pat Lynch (D-MA) read it to her. “Consider it rescinded.” Whether that’ll make a difference is unclear: Rice still wants to discuss most aspects of corruption in closed session.
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