Pentagon denies Rumsfeld authorized downing plane

[sabra]

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http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=8603842

Pentagon denies Rumsfeld authorized downing plane

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon said on Wednesday Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld did not authorize the military to shoot down a small plane that prompted evacuations of Washington power centers on May 11.

The Washington Post, citing accounts given by federal officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, reported that Rumsfeld had given the military authority to take the action, if necessary, against the diminutive Cessna 150 that had wandered into restricted airspace over the Washington area.

Bryan Whitman, a Pentagon spokesman, said Rumsfeld gave no such authorization.

"The secretary was notified as soon as the situation developed. And he was available to make any necessary decisions with respect to this incursion. It never reached the point at which he had to make those kinds of decisions," Whitman told reporters.

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[Parche]

1. plane

Because Cheney would have been pissed if Rumsfuher went over his
head and gave orders

[On the Road]

2. Maybe, But if You Read the Statement Carefully

it seems like one of those non-denial denials.

[Roland99]

4. EXACTLY! That's what I thought when I read this:

"The secretary was notified as soon as the situation developed. And he was available to make any necessary decisions with respect to this incursion. It never reached the point at which he had to make those kinds of decisions," Whitman told reporters.

"There are no plans on my desk."

[fryguy]

3. might not have "given" the order

But visions of rummy running through the halls of the pentagon, a la Rod Steiger's General Decker character in Mars Attcks, yelling "We have to strike now! Annihilate! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill!" don't seem far off the mark.

[TomInTib]

5. Why is no one

talking of the jammed emergency frequency? According to Monday's NYT the pilot was instructed (handheld sign) by the crew of the BlackHawk to go to an emergency radio frequency that, alas, was jammed by an emergency locator beacon signal coming from an "unidentified" aircraft on the ground somewhere in the D.C. area. This kinda puts this incident in a rather eerie light.
Good ol' Homeland Security.

[Eloriel]

10. Happen to have a link for that?

I'm definitely not questioning you, I'd like to read more about it and have it for my records. Thanks.

[fertilizeonarbusto]

6. SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURE

And the insurgents are on the run and we're winning hearts and minds. F*ck you, Rumfilled.

[DeepModem Mom]

7. I think this denial comes because Bush was on the bike --

and it doesn't look good that such a decision was made when it is clear to all that he could have had no part in it.

[Rose Siding]

8. Do you think the Post will apologize?

It's the same situation as with Newsweek- anon source, disputed by the Pentagon. If the source backs down, I wish they'd OUT her/him.

[DeepModem Mom]

9. I'm wondering if they're making a habit of disputing the press...

to make them so careful that they are wary of anything but the story the administration wants told. It would indeed be interesting to out these sources who are accused of misleading the press.

And it will be interesting to see if the Post apologizes -- same company as Newsweek.