Bush 'may fire CIA leaker'

2005-07-18 19:41

Washington - US President George W Bush said on Monday he would fire anyone in his administration who is found to have committed a crime in the context of a leak that may have unmasked a CIA agent in 2003.

Amid news reports that his senior political strategist, Karl Rove, may have revealed the agent's identity, Bush said: "If someone committed a crime, they will no longer work in my administration."

A federal prosecutor has been investigating whether a crime was committed when administration officials told reporters in July 2003 that the wife of a critic of the war in Iraq worked at the CIA.

Bush appeared to be softening his stance on the matter: He pledged in June 2004 to fire anyone who leaked the agent's name to the press and referred to the leak in October 2003 as "a criminal action".

"We have a serious, ongoing investigation here," he said on Monday at a joint public appearance with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

"It's best if people wait until the investigation is complete before you jump to conclusions."

"I will do so as well. I don't know all the facts. I want to know all the facts.

"The best place for the facts to be done is by somebody who is spending time investigating it.

"I would like this to end as quickly as possible so we know the facts," said the president.

- AFP