From Deseret News archives:
Romney criticizes ABC News for CIA-Iran story
ABC News rejected Romney's analysis and said it had given the CIA a chance to make the case that its report put people at risk but the agency didn't respond.
The network led its top-rated "World News" on Tuesday with Brian Ross' report saying that President Bush had directed the CIA to carry out secret operations against Iran both inside and outside that country. The network said the campaign was "non-lethal" and involved propaganda broadcasts, the planting of newspaper articles and the manipulation of Iran's currency and banking transactions.
Romney, during a campaign appearance in Tulsa, Okla., said he was shocked that ABC News would broadcast the report.
"The reporting has the potential of jeopardizing our national security," the former Massachusetts governor said. "Stated quite plainly, it has the potential of affecting human life. We may never know."
He said he did not support censorship but that "the media has a responsibility to police itself."
ABC News' Web site was flooded with 1,683 comments within a day of the broadcast, with one poster urging ABC to "keep your big mouths shut."
The report didn't specify timing or any specific operations, Westin said. CIA activity in Iran has been reported before, he said, including within that country. What made Tuesday's story new was Bush formally signing documents authorizing the operations, he said.
"The facts don't bear out the accusations (from Romney)," Westin said. "I even think that any brief look at the facts says that. This is not a complicated one."
Romney had called him early Tuesday to give him a heads-up that he was making the accusations, Westin said.
Comments
- Two American pilots die in Iraq 12:47 a.m.
- Murder suspect is vetran, avid skier 12:47 a.m.
- MLB: Zambrano's mom kidnapped 12:32 a.m.
- Lambert surprisingly tops news 12:25 a.m.
- Philadelphia transit strike ends 12:25 a.m.
- TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd 12:24 a.m.
- 12 high schools ready for 'The Turf' 12:17 a.m.
- RSL unfazed by conference final 12:17 a.m.
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated 12:17 a.m.
- Today on TV 12:13 a.m.
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
216 - House passes health care bill
201 - Lobo suspended
173 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
151 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
129 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - Thousands protest health bill
102 - Provo company innovating engines
101 - Utes pound winless Lobos
89 - BYU cuts Women's Research Institute
88
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
STOP blaming the Democrats, BLAME THE REPUBLICANS FOR 8 YEARS DOING NOTHING...
The best way to break the law is to become someone who enforces the law.
It's a real shame so many folks have never gotten out and gotten to know the...
It's all talk... you do not have any evidence for your claims. You assume...
Maybe if you could bat .408 in the major leagues, you too would be paid a...
I prefer the “Wizard of Earthsea” quartet by Ursula Le Guin, an...
The bottom line question that no one can possibly answer is; what will be the...
It looks to me like special treatment.
Jazz will have a tough week, with what should be a easy win against the...
I am very excited for this game. As much as I want the Utes to win, it won't...



You can be the first to comment on this story.