LAS VEGAS, June 11 (UPI) -- U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Saturday he will seek greater openness from the Bush administration on Iran's nuclear program.
Speaking at a gathering of liberal Internet bloggers and Democratic Party activists in Las Vegas, Reid said he would pursue greater transparency about possible threats posed by Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons, The Washington Post reported. Reid said he wants to prevent possible misuse of intelligence, and plans to introduce legislation next week calling for a new national intelligence estimate for Iran -- as well as an unclassified summary for release to the public.
Reid said he would require Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte to demonstrate that he has in place a process to review public statements on Iran by President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and other officials. Many Democrats allege that Bush and Cheney manipulated intelligence in making the public case for war with Iraq, the Post noted.
"We face many threats -- threats that have grown worse -- because this administration took its eye off the ball," said Reid. "We must address these threats, but we must not be manipulated into acting for ideological or political gain."
