AP sources: Cheney told CIA not to discuss counterterrorism program

AP sources: Cheney told CIA not to discuss progam

WASHINGTON — Government sources say Vice President Dick Cheney directed the CIA not to inform Congress about a nascent counterterrorism program eight years ago that CIA Director Leon Panetta terminated in June.

Government officials with direct knowledge of Panetta’s June 24 briefing to congressional intelligence committees confirmed that Cheney had told the CIA not to discuss the program with Congress yet.

Subsequent CIA directors did not inform Congress because the intelligence-gathering effort had not developed to the point that they believed merited a congressional briefing. That from a former intelligence official and another government official.