Probe into CIA demanded

2009-07-10 20:13

Washington - The chairperson of a US House Intelligence panel says it is imperative that lawmakers launch an immediate investigation on the CIA's admission that it misled Congress many times over the last eight years.

Democratic Representative Jan Schakowsky said the CIA systematically lied to Congress and called that inexcusable in a letter obtained by The Associated Press on Friday.

Democrats disclosed late on Tuesday that CIA Director Leon Panetta informed Congress in late June that the spy agency had been withholding important information about a secret program begun after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the US.

House Intelligence Chairperson Silvestre Reyes said on Tuesday night he is considering an investigation. Panetta has launched an internal probe at the CIA to determine why Congress was not told about the programme.

- AP