Ari Fleischer Testifies on CIA Leak

By Michael J. Sniffen THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer testified Monday that he first heard that a prominent war critic’s wife worked at the CIA from vice-presidential aide I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby.

Fleischer said Libby told him about Valerie Plame’s job at the CIA over a lunch in the White House on July 7, 2003. But Libby has told investigators he thought he first learned about Plame on July 10 from NBC reporter Tim Russert.

Libby now says his memory failed him when he spoke to Russert.

The appearance of Fleischer, President Bush’s chief spokesman from 2001 through mid-2003, slightly swelled the crowd of trial onlookers, eager to see a White House press secretary questioned under oath.

Fleischer testified under an immunity agreement. He said he sought the deal after reading about the investigation and worrying, “Oh my God. Did I somehow play a role in outing a CIA operative?”

Fleischer said his lunch with Libby was their first ever.

Libby said Wilson was sent to Niger by his wife and she worked at the CIA in the counter-proliferation division, Fleischer testified. “I believe he mentioned her name and said something like, ‘This is hush-hush, this on the Q-T, not very many people know this.’ “

“My sense is that Mr. Libby was telling me this was kinda newsy,” Fleischer added. He did not think the information was classified, however, because whenever he was told or given classified information, “People would always say, ‘This is classified. You cannot use it.’ “

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