PETITION TO PARDON CIA HERO JOHN KIRIAKOU

 



John Kiriakou note (written in prison)

 

NOTE: Please sign the above petition- "Grant Presidential pardon to CIA hero John Kiriakou".

     On Jan. 25, CIA agent John Kiriakou was sentenced to 30 months in prison as part of a plea deal in which he admitted violating the Intelligence Identities Protection Act by e-mailing the name of a covert C.I.A. officer to a freelance reporter, who did not publish it. The law was passed in 1982 and targeted radical publications that deliberately sought to out undercover agents, exposing their secret work and endangering their lives.

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     However, John Kiriakou never associated with "radical publications". In fact, he is a CIA hero and would not willfully turn on his country as the government charges. He's the sixth person accused of violating the Espionage Act during 
President Obama's term. I only wish that Scooter Libbey, Karl Rove and Vice President Dick Cheney could have received the same punishment as Kiriakou, if not more. After all, the outing of Valerie Plame (Wilson) was an act of treason beyond Kiriakou's name release to a reporter.
     No Presidential Pardon should have been granted to Libbey, but I urge President Obama to grant one to Kiriakou. Why? Because pardons are granted when individuals have demonstrated that they have fulfilled their debt to society or at least are considered to be deserving of one. Scooter Libbey was not deserving of a pardon, but he got his get out of jail free card anyway. 
     Although prosecutors say Kiriakou, age 47, broke a solemn pledge he took when he joined the CIA in 1990 by sharing information about his former colleagues with reporters at The New York Times and ABC News. OK, agreed, he shouldn't have- he slipped up. Regardless, he is deserving of a pardon from President Obama due to his record and duty to country. As a CIA operative, he spent 8 years as a Middle East analyst, specializing on Iraq. He held a Top Secret Case Sensitive security clearance. An intelligent man, he learned Arabic and from 1994-96 served as an economic officer at the American Embassy in Manama, Bahrain. He returned to Washington, D.C. and concentrated on his specialty- Iraq.
     Then, he transferred to the CIA’s Directorate of Operations in 1998. He studied counterterrorism and went to Athens, Greece, working on Eurocommunist terrorism matters. He returned back to CIA Headquarters in 2000, then after the 9/11 attacks, was named Chief of Counterterrorist Operations in Pakistan. He was noted in this position to have led a series of raids on al-Qaeda safe houses, which resulted in the capture of dozens of al-Qaeda warriors.
     I feel that a conditional pardon, instead of an absolute "Scooter Libbey-type" pardon, should be granted by President Obama. An absolute pardon would completely release Kiriakou from punishment, but with his experience as a Middle East CIA operative and Chief of counterterrorism operations in Pakistan, I feel a conditonal pardon would better serve him, his family and the nation. Ironically, this act of act of forgiveness would be a selfish act by President Obama and America because of the immense benefits that he could bestow upon the "forgivers" (us). 
     With his professional background in intelligence matters, President Obama could require him to serve out his sentence by working in the CIA's Office of Near Eastern and South Asian Analysis (NESA). His knowledge of the Middle Eastern and North African countries, and his expertise about South Asian nations such as Pakistan would be a benefit to all. His analytical and fluent language skills would be a great help for the analysts currently working in NESA.
     President Obama could order him to "work out" his conditional pardon by teaching undergraduate degree coursework that involves language training and familiarization of the Middle Eastern countries he knows so well. Or, he could be required to teach in The Sherman Kent School for Intelligence Analysis. With his eight years  experience as a Middle East analyst, he could teach foreign languages and regional issues to the DI students and officers who will be assigned to the Middle East.
     Kiriakou wrote a book called "Reluctant Spy: My Secret Life in the CIA's War on Terror". In the book, he discusses waterboarding terrorist suspects, CIA raids in Pakistan, and the truth about the invasion of Iraq. In a groundbreaking 2007 interview with ABC News, John Kiriakou defined waterboarding as torture, but still admitted that it probably was effective.
     He was well-known and appreciated at the time. For example, on March 28, 2002, he led a raid in which Abu Zubaydah, al-Qaeda’s 3rd ranking official, was captured in Faisalabad, Pakistan.
     He received a domestic assignment from 2002 until 2004, when he resigned from the CIA. During his stretch with the CIA, he was awarded 10 Exceptional Performance Awards, a Sustained Superior performance Award, the Counterterrorism Service Medal, and the State Department’s Meritorious Honor Award. 
     The federal case  USA v. John Kiriakou  charged him with unauthorized disclosure of a covert officer’s identity and other classified information, and lying to CIA’s Publications Review Board. He was arraigned on charges of leaking classified information to the press in violation of the Espionage Act and the Intelligence Identities Protection Act…all of which he denied from the start, until he was forced to make a plea deal to avoid a lengthier prison sentence.
     Click HERE to view a full copy of the indictment and the 5 charges against Kiriakou.

Related Posts:
White House CIA Plame Leak Made All Americans "Fair Game"

Robert Morton, M.Ed., Ed.S. is a member of the Association Of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and writes the online Spy series, "Corey Pearson, CIA Spymaster in the Caribbean". The views expressed on this site do not represent those of any organization he is a member of. Reach him on the secure Contact Form

Spy genre + Love of Caribbean = Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster in the Caribbean online series!youtu.be/d2hTCC5fA_w
— Robert Morton (@Robert4787) May 25, 2013

LONDON MUSLIM MURDERERS PORTEND AMERICA'S FATE

British traditions and way of life are experiencing tribulations. This fact was laid bare as Michael Adebolajo, 28 and Michael Adebowale, 22, are under armed guard in hospital after being shot and arrested by police after they ceremoniously ran down a British soldier, who was a veteran of the Afghan war, with a car outside Woolwich Barracks in southeast, then attacked him with a meat cleaver and knives before being shot by police. Their motive? They announced to bystanders that they were acting in revenge for British wars in Muslim countries.

British society was also traumatized by the suicide bombings carried out in London in 2005 by British Muslims. It exposed an enormous fifth column of Islamist terrorists and their sympathizers. Under the noses of British intelligence, London has become the European hub for the promotion, recruitment and financing of Islamic terror and extremism - so much so that it has been mockingly dubbed Londonist.

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MI5 and the British police approached Adebolajo six months ago to see if he would work for them as an informant. He refused and MI5 left, believing he didn’t pose a serious threat.

The fact remains that both men who slayed the British soldier were known by MI5, Britain’s internal security service and  Prime Minister David Cameron formed a parliamentary committee to investigate the security services' role.

When MI5 initially approached him, they wanted to know if he knew certain individuals, which Adebolajo said he did not. Then, MI5 asked him if he would be interested in working for them, which he refused to do. "We have never arrested him and we have never interrogated him, because if we had arrested him, we would never have let him go because of our experience of international terrorism," the spokesman said.

I believe this latest radical Muslim attack upon the character of the British people is an admonition, a caveat for the moral fiber and social identity of all Western Europe and America…a struggle for our very souls. As I watch the light of our Western civilization sputter, I pray it does not fade away. I only ask that we rise to the challenge posed by radical Islam, that the U.S., England… all European countries…meet formally and create policies and procedures to prevent radical Muslims from ruining our free will and traditions…our very ethos. 

 

As we speak, in Amsterdam, Oslo, Copenhagen, Paris, Berlin, Madrid, London and Stockholm, there are huge, rapidly expanding Muslim enclaves in which women are oppressed and abused, homosexuals persecuted and killed, “infidels” threatened and vilified, Jews demonized and attacked, barbaric traditions (such as honor killing and forced marriage) widely practiced, and freedom of speech and religion firmly repudiated.

 

Meanwhile, most European politicians and news media outlets have downplayed these happenings. Radical Islam uses the Western desire for  multicultural harmony as a leverage to extend their power. The few valiant souls who criticized Muslim extremists and spoke up for true liberal values were systematically slandered as fascist bigots.

 

Britain’s Adebolajo and Adebowale represent what’s going on in London’s Muslim community. Their gruesome butchering of a decent young man on a serene London boulevard should be a forewarning to all of us living in societies where religion and formal governance mix about as well as oil and water. Whether it be the inane murders of a young British soldier or Dutch filmmaker Theo Van Gogh, there is an expanding number of similar loose cannons- radical Muslims brimming with an alienation from and deep antagonism toward an infidel society that they believe rejects them. 

But, there is hope for coexistance and harmony within the Muslim community! A Gallup Poll resulted after conducting tens of thousands of hour-long, face-to-face interviews with residents of more than 35 predominantly Muslim countries between 2001 and 2007. It found that the actions of al-Qaeda do not enjoy wide support in the Muslim world- more than 90% of respondents condemned the killing of non-combatants on religious and humanitarian grounds.

I hope the vast majority of Muslims dwelling in America feel the same way, toward the killing of American civilians, who are "non-combatants". Meanwhile, there is a growing danger of U.S. citizens becoming radicalized, militant Muslims.

 

Europe’s Muslim fate portends similar happenings inside America.

Robert Morton, M.Ed., Ed.S. is a member of the Association Of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and writes about the online spy series "Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster in the Caribbean." The views expressed on this site do not represent those of any 
organization he is a member of. Contact him on the Secure Contact Form

BEFRIENDING IRAN IS S. KOREA'S DOOM

 Despite Iran’s close ties with North Korea and South Korea’s bond with the U.S., the two countries have maintained a historically friendly and strategic relationship with each other.  In fact, South Korea is one of Iran’s foremost commercial partners, even though a 2012 poll taken revealed that only 10% of South Koreans viewed their country’s Iranian influence positively, whereas 79% believed their relationship with Iran was detrimental.

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According to Ettelaa, Iran’s international newspaper, they (Iran) have expanded their ties with South Korea. Their announcement said that prominent Iranian and South Korean lawmakers in a meeting in Tehran underlined the necessity for the further development of the relations between the two Asian countries.

The issue was raised in a meeting between Vice-chairman of Iran-South Korea Parliamentary Friendship Group Mohammad Ali Esfanani and a member of the South Korean parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, Chung Moon Hu. During the meeting, Esfanani stressed that abundant potentials existed for both countries to consolidate their relations. Hu added, "Iran and South Korea are two strong, important and influential countries in the international arena, which is a good feature and quality for the expansion of their mutual cooperation."

Moon Hu, for his part, underscored the necessity for the further development of the bilateral ties, adding, "We hope to see further progress in the growing trend of the relations and cooperation between Iran and South Korea through the strenuous efforts of both sides."

In relevant remarks in October, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad underscored the age-old and cordial relations between Tehran and Seoul, and said both Iran and South Korea oppose unilateralism and seek a fair world order-

"Iran and South Korean relations are cultural and historical; both Seoul and Tehran are opposed to unilateralism and oppression in the international relations and want a new world order which would guarantee respect for entire world countries' sovereignty as well as ensuring peace and justice for all (Did I hear that right? Even Israel?); achieving a new World Order needs cooperation and participation of all nations," Ahmadinejad said in a meeting with Sung Wung Yeub at the time.

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I firmly believe that “money talks” and the cordial ambassadorial talk between Ahmadinejad and Sung Eung Yeub is, if I may be tactless… unadulterated bullshit. Both countries profit from strong economic ties with bilateral trade topping $10 billion. Be damned with Iran’s intentions of developing nuclear armaments with missile delivery capabilities- South Korea’s Trade-Investment Promotion Agency trendsetter, Hong Ki-Wha, vowed in 2007 to boost trade with Iran. In fact, he is encouraging South Korean companies to invest in Iran and vice versa.

And, be damned with the world's economic sanctions to persuade Iran to halt development of nuclear technology- a Middle East Economic Survey revealed that Iran exported 157,000 barrels of crude oil per day to South Korea in 2009, making Iran South Korea’s fourth largest source for crude oil.

I feel South Korea is excessively trusting of Iran’s economic and diplomatic bargains…blinded by greed or gullible, perhaps. They should judge Iran’s mullah-driven government by their actions and not by their lexis. After all, South Korea’s astringent northern neighbor yearns to absorb them into their despotic domination. They ignore the fact that Pyongyang equipped Tehran with advanced missiles capable of targeting distant Western European capitals. Seoul would make an unproblematic target.  A recent U.N. report accused North Korea and Iran of regularly exchanging ballistic missile components and technology. Doesn’t South Korea realize that, by and by, Iran will have nuclear missiles targeting Seoul? Perhaps, the South Korean government should follow the wishes of their citizens- 79 percent of S. Koreans believe their country's relationship with Iran is detrimental.

Robert Morton, M.Ed., Ed.S. is a member of the Association Of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and writes about the online spy series "Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster in the Caribbean." The views expressed on this site do not represent those of any 
organization he is a member of. Contact him on the Secure Contact Form

N. KOREA'S MISSILE LAUNCH NO SURPRISE

6 AM, Saturday May 18, 2013: Well, here we are again! I got up early, made some coffee and turned on my computer to see that North Korea has launched short-range missiles into the Sea of Japan. Those with short memories are shocked. But, for the rest of us, we ho-hum and yawn until our coffee perks us up a bit. 

If your response to this morning's news is shock, let me jog your short-lived memories of North Korea's history. Did you forget the power struggles they've had, between their hawks and moderates. I remember the younger son of Kim Jong II attempting to murder his older brother when Kim Jong II was ailing from a  stroke. I recall the North Korean Kang Nam freighter that illegally transported missile and/or nuclear technology on board, until the USS John McCain and a Navy P-3's tracked the Kang Nam through Chinese waters. Nor will I forget when North Korea prepared to launch a long-range missile toward Hawaii. 

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As a response to the Hawaii threat, the U.S. installed a giant radar platform ship along with THAAD and other ABM systems on and around Hawaii. At that time, when Defense Secretary Robert Gates positioned missile defenses around Hawaii, he stated,“We do have some concerns if North Korea were to launch their most advanced missile to the west in the direction of Hawaii.” Gates also mentioned that the THAAD anti-ballistic missile system would be deployed.The world established strict sanctions against North Korea at the time and the despotic regime responded by threatening to detonate another nuclear bomb.

It was at that time, only several years ago, when experts mentioned that North Korea may be only several years away from being able to marry a long-range missile with a nuclear warhead. Also, do you remember when Kim Jong II threatened to retaliate against the world community's imposed sanctions? Yes, a short while ago North Korea threatened to wipe the United States off the map and we sat around wondering whether or not to take him seriously. 

Some of the comments and happenings several years ago:

• Gates also stated, “Without telegraphing what we will do, I would just say … we are in a good position, should it become necessary, to protect Americans and American territory”.
• A Japanese newspaper reported that North Korea might fire its most advanced ballistic missile toward Hawaii around the July 4 Independence Day holiday in the U.S.

So, refresh your memories. Our response? Beyond the ho-hum and yawning, until my coffee kicks into high gear, I take North Korea's missile launches into the Sea of Japan as another brazen slap in the face of the international community, which punished North Korea with new U.N. sanctions for conducting a second nuclear test on May 25th in defiance of a U.N. ban. Our diplomats will swing into high-gear and once again try to persuade Russia and China to shake their fingers at Kim...whatever his name is. It's also time to arm Japan, South Korea, Hawaii and other U.S.- friendly neighbors around North Korea with the most sophisticated anti-missile defensive systems in our inventory.  Then, it's up to the UN to meet and initiate the broadest, deepest sanctions against North Korea ever. 

Photo below: Taepodong-2 range from North Korean launch site

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Click Photo to review

For those readers interested, I "The National Intelligence Estimate on the Ballistic Missile Threat to the United States: Hearing Before the International Security". This resource was originally published by the Washington U.S. G.P.O. You'll enjoy the Opening Statement by Senator Thompson: "Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for your leadership in this area. Along those lines, I noticed that it was reported today in the Washington Times that North Korea sold twelve medium-range ballistic missile engines to Iran".

 

Related Posts:

• CIA Has Second Thoughts About North Korea's Missile Launch "Failure"
• US Document Analyzes North Korea's Ballistic Missile Threat To The U.S.

Robert Morton, M.Ed., Ed.S. is a member of the Association Of Former Intelligence Officerss (AFIO) and writes the online spy series "Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster in the Caribbean." The views expressed on this site do not represent those of any organization he is a member of. Got a thought, article or comment you'd like to submit? Contact him on the Secure Contact Form

U.S. WILL ARM SYRIAN FREE ARMY THROUGH TURKEY

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Since May of last year, Turkey has established a no-fly zone, which is indirectly aiding the Syrian Free Army. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated in June that any Syrian aircraft approaching Turkish airspace would be shot down. In essence, a no-fly zone was established along the 566-mile long border between the two countries. Turkish air defence systems are hi-tech and will bar further incursions into Turkish airspace by Syrian attack and armed Mi17 helicopters, which violated Turkish airspace no less than five times this year. Turkey's air defense will also deny the Syrian aircraft their own airspace thus creating a buffer zone for the Free Syrian Army to stage their troops without fear of Syrian air strikes.

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I believe that this Turkish buffer zone will be the avenue for U.S. and NATO countries to arm the Syrian Free Army with hi-tech weaponry. Interestingly, light weapons have already been financed by Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The weapons deliveries are coordinated by the Milli Istih-barat Teskilate (MIT), Turkey’s intelligence service, with the CIA's help. The MIT is also referred to as the National Intelligence Organization and was created in 1965 to replace Turkey's National Security Service. 

The MIT has transformed dramatically. According to the former director of Foreign Operations, Yavuz Ataç, the military presence in the MIT in now negligible. This is a recent development, as the agency has a military heritage. In 1990, the fraction of military personnel was 35%. Today it has dropped to 4.5% in the lower echelons. A former deputy undersecretary Cevat Öneş said that the MİT suffered with each coup, as the military junta that took over the organization had its own set of priorities.

In order to ensure reliability, the agency has historically recruited from relatives of existing employees, but now, this is no longer the case. The former undersecretary, Emre Taner, is credited with reducing the turf war between the MİT and the police intelligence, as well as infighting inside the MİT itself. In 2009, Taner announced the restructuring of the MIT.

This latest cooperation between the MIT and CIA to establish the no-fly zone is not a surprise, since the MİT has cooperated with U.S. intelligence agencies in the past. Since the MIT has capabilities like a police agency, it may be viewed as a state secret police. 

Turkey has long floated the idea of a buffer zone to protect displaced Syrians from attacks by Syrian regime forces, but the issue is more pressing because the number of refugees in Turkey has exceeded 80,000 — an amount it says approaches its limits. The U.N. refugee agency has said up to 200,000 refugees could eventually flee to Turkey, which shares a 566-mile frontier with Syria. Tens of thousands of Syrians have also fled to Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan.

The CIA is involved in this venture for a number of reasons, one being the hi-tech nature of Turkey's radar network, which is enforcing the no-fly zone. The network consists of American equipment, including the Lockheed Martin AN/FPS-88, Hughes HR-3000 and General Electric AN/FPS-17 radars as well as Thales TRS 22XX mobile 3D long range radars. In short, the Turkish air force can monitor Syrian air space over a distance of 500 km, as far as Damascus.

The Lockheed Martin AN/FPS-88 has enhanced range performance and upgraded signal processing with dual channel operation, a parametric amplifier receiver and a radar signal processor with ECCM capability. The U.S. also has the FPS-88 system operating in Lefkas (Greece) and in some sites in Portugal.

It is my belief that the U.S. will, indeed, arm the Syrian freedom fighters with advanced weapons, and the avenue will be via the long Turkey-Syrian border which is protected from Syrian air attacks. We shall see.

Robert Morton, M.Ed., Ed.S. is a member of the Association Of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and writes the online spy thriller "Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster in the Caribbean."  The views expressed on this site do not represent those of any organization he is a member of. Got a thought, article or comment you'd like to submit? Contact him on the Secure Contact Form

PHILIP MUDD RESPONDS TO "WHO SHOULD CONDUCT DOMESTIC SPYING?"

I posed the question to Philip Mudd, who has been in charge of both the FBI and CIA counterintelligence branches.  Although I believe the CIA should take over domestic intelligence-gathering within America, his response was interesting and made me think twice about it. Perhaps, the "grass is greener" mentality, which he refers to is not the way to go.

Note: Begin watching from beginning, then fast forward to 28:40 minutes, where my question and his response begins ("Robert joins us from Fremont, Ohio"): 

NOTE: Please take THIS WEEK'S POLL in the upper right hand margin: "Who should take over counterterrorism efforts inside America- the FBI or CIA?"

Robert Morton, M.Ed., Ed.S. is a member of the Association Of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and writes the online spy series "Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster in the Caribbean." Got a thought, article or comment you'd like to submit? Contact him on the Secure Contact Form

LECTURE ON WWII CRYPTOLOGY WARS

Dr. Peter Donovan, Lecturer

• Thursday, May 23 – 1000-1200: "Understanding the Allied Approach to Radio Intelligence in the Pacific Theatre during World War II"

• Friday, May 24 – 0930-1130: "The Thought Behind High-level Cryptological Discovery, 1930-1945"

The Center for Cryptologic History is pleased to announce the upcoming 2013 Henry F. Schorreck Memorial Lecture. The Schorreck Lecture is a series of historical lectures named in honor of the former NSA Historian. It is presented annually by preeminent scholars who address cryptologic issues with an historical perspective. Previous talks have been delivered by scholars in the field such as David Kahn, Christopher Andrew, John Ferris, and Stephen Budiansky.

Read "Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster in the Caribbean" and get to know Corey and how the CIA works. First 3 episodes online for free!

The speaker this year will be Dr. Peter W. Donovan (above photo) of the Department of Mathematics, University of New South Wales, Australia. A renowned expert in several subfields of mathematics, as well as on cryptologic history, Dr. Donovan has conducted some of the most innovative and path-breaking work to date on the Allied effort to break Japanese encipherment systems in use during WWII. He will be presenting two separate lectures detailing the cipher war in the Pacific, including revelations about the weaknesses in the Japanese naval codes that the Allies exploited, all of which led to dramatic successes on the battlefield.

These talks are free and open to the public. They will be held in the Magic Room of the National Cryptologic Museum.  For more information about this event, please contact the Center at 301-688-2336 or history@nsa.gov.

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If you enjoy vacationing on the Caribbean islands, enjoy reading spy genre or watching spy TV shows, then you'll like the online spy series "Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster in the Caribbean." First 3 episodes are online for free.