Ex Vice President Dick Cheney in currently embroiled in serious accusations which state that in the course of the Bush governance, he categorically ordered the CIA to conceal crucial information regarding a covert anti- terrorism program from the Congress. According to an erudite source, the present CIA director, Leon Panetta had made the startling revelation to the Congress members.

The shocking exposé made by Panetta to the Senate intelligence agency and the House regarding Cheney’s direct involvement in the matter was initially accounted in the New York Times, ensuing which all attempts to get in touch with Cheney to get a response were futile.

The informant who disclosed the matter to CNN desired complete confidentiality as the issue was top secret. Paul Gimigliano, the CIA speaker refused to remark on the report stating that it was not agency policy to disclose matters that transpired during secret meetings. He further added that when the matter was bought to the notice of Director Leon Panetta, he proposed that the matter be known to the Congress and quick, effective action to be taken in the matter.

A letter from the Seven House Democrats on 26th June to Panetta that was made public, confirmed that CIA masked major actions from the Congress members and has hoodwinked the members from 2001 onwards. The letter however did not specify what information was hidden or in what manner they deceived the Congress members.

The anti-terrorism program being highlighted had been started soon after the 11th September, 2001 terror attacks on Washington and New York and was by no means completely functional and that it remained on shelves more than it got implemented. Panetta finally brought it to an end.

The revelation ensued post a Barney between the CIA and the Speaker, Nancy Pelosi who blamed the former for deluding the Congress during a covert briefing in 2002 on the ruthless grilling methods adopted on the terror suspects. To this the CIA retorted that Pelosi was informed during the course of the briefing about the crude methods like waterboarding amongst others that were employed.

When questioned regarding the Democrat’s letter, George Little, the CIA speaker stated that Panetta stood by his statement given on the 15th May. Little mentioned that Panetta believed in keeping the Congress well informed on the matter, which was amply evident in his actions.

The current eye-opener comes in a time when lawmakers are mulling over increasing the number of House and Senate members from the existing eight to forty. A White House memorandum has cautioned that President Obama’s high ranking advisers would suggest a veto in that regard, if the expansion plan was included.