DATE=9/29/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-S INTEL / PROBE (S)

NUMBER=2-308028

BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The Justice Department has been asked to determine whether someone at the White House leaked the name of a C-I-A agent whose husband challenged evidence of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. From the White House, V-O-A's Scott Stearns more on the story.

TEXT: C-I-A Director George Tenet asked the Justice Department to investigate allegations that someone at the White House leaked the name of one his agents.

The Washington Post reports that agent's name was disclosed to at least six Washington journalists in July after her husband, former U-S ambassador Joseph Wilson, publicly challenged President Bush's claim that Iraq tried to buy uranium in Africa.

The revelation that Mr. Bush made that claim based on forged documents led to a series of questions about how the administration justified the invasion of Iraq.

Ambassador Wilson says he suspects that the president's senior political adviser, Karl Rove, was involved in leaking his wife's identity. Intentionally disclosing a covert operative's name violates federal law.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan says Mr. Rove has personally assured him that he had nothing to do with the leak. Mr. McClellan says no one from the Justice Department has contacted the White House about the investigation.

Mr. McClellan says President Bush has not spoken with his staff about the investigation and will await the findings of the Justice Department probe. (SIGNED)

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