Clark Calls For Independent Investigation

General Wesley K. Clark (Ret.), Democratic candidate for President, has called for an independent investigation into an alleged violation of federal law by Bush Administration officials. News reports say that the CIA has asked the Justice Department to investigate allegations that Administration officials violated federal law by leaking the identity of a covert CIA agent. "The Administration should not play politics with this matter. This issue is too important for political gamesmanship or to be managed by the John Ashcroft Justice Department," General Wesley Clark said. "The investigation must be independent of the Justice Department - otherwise the investigation could be influenced by political considerations. That is why President Bush should immediately refer this entire matter to a completely independent body - a body with credibility both in our country and with our allies around the world." During his remarks in Austin, Texas, Clark called for a credible, thorough, and independent investigation. "Given the persistent questions about the Administration`s use of intelligence to justify the war in Iraq, only an independent body can determine whether intelligence was manipulated for political purposes and whether, as a result of possible manipulation, there exists an intelligence gap that will have implications for our national security," said General Clark.