Subpoena will be issued to no-show Feith, former undersecretary of Defense for Policy

The House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties met to discuss the issuance of a subpoena to Douglas Feith, the former Undersecretary of Defense for Policy. Feith was scheduled to give witness at a hearing last Wednesday, but canceled his appearance four hours before its scheduled time. The hearing was for discussion of the Bush Administration’s role in authorizing the use of abusive interrogation policies.

Feith cited the presence of another witness at the hearing, Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson as his reason for canceling. The Chairman of the Subcommittee, Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) said that Feith’s absence was “an affront” to the committee and to the country. Nadler said that Feith had a central role in forming the abusive interrogation policies so his testimony is necessary to understanding the matter. Congressman Steve King (R-Iowa) opposed the subpoena. He said that Feith deserved a second chance, rather than an immediate “sledgehammer of subpoena.” But, the committee voted nine to three in favor of the subpoena.

House Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, hearing on counter espionage

David G. Major, President of The Centre for Counter Intelligence and Security Studies, went before the House Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security to discuss the enforcement of federal espionage laws in the United States. The witnesses included Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General (National Affairs Division) J. Patrick Rowan and Larry M. Wortzel, the Chairman of the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission. 

 

He stressed that America has been successful in the enforcement of espionage laws.  Major, Rowan, and Wortzel were each in agreement that funding and education pertaining to such laws should increase in order to maintain security against both nations that oppose and support our policies.  

 

Rowan explained how U.S. success in the field of counter-espionage intelligence shared similarities with terrorism protection techniques.  He discussed how through, "prevention, cooperation and coordination" with terrorism defense success has been achieved. He was echoed by Major's reference to how "since the 21st century began, there have been 37 individuals arrested in the US as agents of foreign powers." 

 

While each of the three members of the counter-espionage intelligence groups noted the success America has had in combating espionage, they cautioned the members of the House that the United States cannot let up prosecutions of those suspected of such crimes.  "Espionage cases are the 'Super Bowl' of prosecutions.  If you make a mistake during the process of investigating someone who turns out to be a real spy, it's going to be in the front page of the newspapers," Major said.