Revealed: US dirty tricks to win vote on Iraq war

Secret document details American plan to bug phones and emails of key Security Council members

Martin Bright, Ed Vulliamy in New York and Peter Beaumont
Sunday March 2, 2003
The Observer

The United States is conducting a secret 'dirty tricks' campaign against UN Security Council delegations in New York as part of its battle to win votes in favour of war against Iraq.

Details of the aggressive surveillance operation, which involves interception of the home and office telephones and the emails of UN delegates in New York, are revealed in a document leaked to The Observer.

The disclosures were made in a memorandum written by a top official at the National Security Agency - the US body which intercepts communications around the world - and circulated to both senior agents in his organisation and to a friendly foreign intelligence agency asking for its input.

The memo describes orders to staff at the agency, whose work is clouded in secrecy, to step up its surveillance operations 'particularly directed at... UN Security Council Members (minus US and GBR, of course)' to provide up-to-the-minute intelligence for Bush officials on the voting intentions of UN members regarding the issue of Iraq.

The leaked memorandum makes clear that the target of the heightened surveillance efforts are the delegations from Angola, Cameroon, Chile, Mexico, Guinea and Pakistan at the UN headquarters in New York - the so-called 'Middle Six' delegations whose votes are being fought over by the pro-war party, led by the US and Britain, and the party arguing for more time for UN inspections, led by France, China and Russia.

The memo is directed at senior NSA officials and advises them that the agency is 'mounting a surge' aimed at gleaning information not only on how delegations on the Security Council will vote on any second resolution on Iraq, but also 'policies', 'negotiating positions', 'alliances' and 'dependencies' - the 'whole gamut of information that could give US policymakers an edge in obtaining results favourable to US goals or to head off surprises'.

Dated 31 January 2003, the memo was circulated four days after the UN's chief weapons inspector Hans Blix produced his interim report on Iraqi compliance with UN resolution 1441.

It was sent by Frank Koza, chief of staff in the 'Regional Targets' section of the NSA, which spies on countries that are viewed as strategically important for United States interests.

Koza specifies that the information will be used for the US's 'QRC' - Quick Response Capability - 'against' the key delegations.

Suggesting the levels of surveillance of both the office and home phones of UN delegation members, Koza also asks regional managers to make sure that their staff also 'pay attention to existing non-UN Security Council Member UN-related and domestic comms [office and home telephones] for anything useful related to Security Council deliberations'.

Koza also addresses himself to the foreign agency, saying: 'We'd appreciate your support in getting the word to your analysts who might have similar more indirect access to valuable information from accesses in your product lines [ie, intelligence sources].' Koza makes clear it is an informal request at this juncture, but adds: 'I suspect that you'll be hearing more along these lines in formal channels.'

Disclosure of the US operation comes in the week that Blix will make what many expect to be his final report to the Security Council.

It also comes amid increasingly threatening noises from the US towards undecided countries on the Security Council who have been warned of the unpleasant economic consequences of standing up to the US.

Sources in Washington familiar with the operation said last week that there had been a division among Bush administration officials over whether to pursue such a high-intensity surveillance campaign with some warning of the serious consequences of discovery.

The existence of the surveillance operation, understood to have been requested by President Bush's National Security Adviser, Condoleezza Rice, is deeply embarrassing to the Americans in the middle of their efforts to win over the undecided delegations.

The language and content of the memo were judged to be authentic by three former intelligence operatives shown it by The Observer. We were also able to establish that Frank Koza does work for the NSA and could confirm his senior post in the Regional Targets section of the organisation.

The NSA main switchboard put The Observer through to extension 6727 at the agency which was answered by an assistant, who confirmed it was Koza's office. However, when The Observer asked to talk to Koza about the surveillance of diplomatic missions at the United Nations, it was then told 'You have reached the wrong number'.

On protesting that the assistant had just said this was Koza's extension, the assistant repeated that it was an erroneous extension, and hung up.

While many diplomats at the UN assume they are being bugged, the memo reveals for the first time the scope and scale of US communications intercepts targeted against the New York-based missions.

The disclosure comes at a time when diplomats from the countries have been complaining about the outright 'hostility' of US tactics in recent days to persuade then to fall in line, including threats to economic and aid packages.

The operation appears to have been spotted by rival organisations in Europe. 'The Americans are being very purposeful about this,' said a source at a European intelligence agency when asked about the US surveillance efforts.


Here's the text of the leaked memo:

To: [Recipients withheld]
From: FRANK KOZU@Chief of Staff (Regional Target) CIV/NSA
on 31/01/2003 0:16
Subject: Reflections of Iraq debate/votes at UN - RT actions and potential for related contributions
Importance: High
TOP SECRET/COMINT/XL

All,

As you've likely heard by now, the Agency is mounting a surge particularly directed at the UN Security Council (UNSC) members (minus US and GBR of course) for insights as to how to membership is reacting to the on-going debate RE: Iraq, plans to vote on any related resolutions, what related policies/ negotiating positions they may be considering, alliances/ dependencies, etc - the whole gamut of information that could give US policymakers an edge in obtaining results favourable to US goals or to head off surprises. In RT, that means a QRC surge effort to revive/ create efforts against UNSC members Angola, Cameroon, Chile, Bulgaria and Guinea, as well as extra focus on Pakistan UN matters.

We've also asked ALL RT topi's to emphasise and make sure they pay attention to existing non-UNSC member UN-related and domestic comms for anything useful related to the UNSC deliberations/ debates/ votes. We have a lot of special UN-related diplomatic coverage (various UN delegations) from countries not sitting on the UNSC right now that could contribute related perspectives/ insights/ whatever. We recognise that we can't afford to ignore this possible source.

We'd appreciate your support in getting the word to your analysts who might have similar, more in-direct access to valuable information from accesses in your product lines. I suspect that you'll be hearing more along these lines in formal channels - especially as this effort will probably peak (at least for this specific focus) in the middle of next week, following the SecState's presentation to the UNSC.

Thanks for your help

By any means necessary. Amen brother!

Alas, the world sees further confirmation for the way in which the 4th Reich (Bush junta and co.) deal with their demands.

Trust no one (esp. if you can't be trusted) lie, cheat, steal, murder, in addition to extreme and severe manipulation of what once was news. So just what is the deal with a wire tap or two, or try a few million, and should anyone be surprised. The Homeland/Fatherland Security Act", and the new and improved "Patriot Act II" (be suspect or speak the truth and be banished!). These validate to those still sane in the world, that we the citizens in "Amerika" are living in toxic and strange days (reeks of Hitler's gang of thieves reborn from the dead, new and improved living in the Whitehouse). Sadly, many have become a seperate nation of stepford citizen zombies, held (some willingly) captive, by an evil non-human agenda. Believing the withered, racist, minds straight out of the sixties, rushing to Armageddon. Nothing I hear shocks me any longer, as a native born, tax paying, voting American, I have the right to be suspect of all of their actions! Non sheep Americans must QUESTION THIS AUTHORITY. Esp. when it comes to this beloved country (a car driven by a drunk off a cliff). READ THE CONSTITUTION AND BILL OF RIGHTS, A SERIES OF IMPEACHABLE CRIMES HAVE BEEN AND ARE BEING COMMITED.

With the highest level or propaganda, it's no wonder the "stepfords" continue to drink the elixer of bullshit lies and facist meanderings of these rich, racist, hateful, right wing assholes. 911 was evil and scary, however, do you think the Bush Adm. is telling you the truth???????? Follow not only the wire taps and spying, FOLLOW THE MONEY!

Could it be, if they keep it up, impeachment (every last one of them!) might become a realistic option?...Or must we wait for the body bags to arrive, to wake up and smell the shit?

You are so correct.
There is a point of the wedge,
I believe to open the eyes of the sheep
and turn them into snarling dogs and
maybe Wolves. I love my brother the wolf.
Anyway, the single most glaring and open sore
in the hide of the american herd is the
contrived 9-11 event with all the complicity
and tissue thin explanations the public
still really hasn't bought.
Got any salt?

It seems like it has become an every day thing now to have some new revelation about the depth of the corruption in the Bush Junta.

However, while they are a disgusting and vile lot (did I say Lott?) they are actually rather stupid. That is really a central part of the problem. Because "stupid is as stupid does".

Although to anyone following the issue the Bush campaign to go Conquer the Oil became apparent months ago this should, if it were actually reported in the controlled Propaganda Media open eyes. This of course means that unles you tell someone about it or direct them to the story they will never hear about it because it is a sinch that the Oil Soaked Monopoy Press will never ever ever mention this story.

And I agree with Sheepdog. One of the greatest crimes committed by a governing Junta against it's people in recent times is 911.

If you aren't outraged you aren't paying attention.

"And I agree with Sheepdog. One of the greatest crimes committed by a governing Junta against it's people in recent times is 911."

Are you honestly joining the camp of that particularly fantastical conspiracy theory? If so, you've finally become utterly irrelevant. Bear in mind that sheepdog actually believes NO ARABS were involved and that Bin Laden is a pure INNOCENT scapegoat. Is that the theory you agree with? Please explain the statement.

And so eager.
Just who we need.
Hold this bag for me.

There is Zero Evidence to connect Bin Laden to the 911 attack. NOTHING HAS EVER BEEN PRODUCED OTHER THAN ALLEGATIONS. I defy you to cite one conclusive piece of evidence connecting Bin Laden to 911. It is the empt set.

The officicial story is no more credible than a "Conspiracy Theory" and has quite a few holes that you could drive a C-5 through.

Sheepdog, do you really hate Jews? I guess that's cool. You're stil my bro... Jews kinda suck.

How about videotape of him bragging about "our success" (fabricated right). This is like trying to argue the fact that the earth is round to a flat-earth society member. Beleieve what you want to believe and fight common knowledge. See ya.

you kno what is funny.....or actually hipocrtical....this liberal site.....they say that all media is corrupt...so am i to believe this liberal ass site is not...hmm....FUCK NO....this is one of the most biased sites i have seen in my entire life.....and i am starting to believe that ALL liberals are anti-american.....i have not heard a god damn word from you gay ass tree huggin liberals that is supporting america...yet you take all its freedoms for advantage.....for instance....this site....and what else is funny......i wonder how many people here....including me....went to harvard or yale....im guessing....NONE....and you can go ahead and lie because the truth is none of us have.....but who did goto yale?......i believe bush did...as a matter of fact....i know he did....and last time i checked yale was not a community college where its easy as hell to get in.....but instead....one of the hardest schools to get into...in the world and you say bush is ignorant and dumb.....you guys are , shut your motuh about putting down the president or the united states of you hate america so much....then goto mexico and see how long you last...not very long











BY THE WAY.......FUCKOFF

( fill in required conclusion)
This is like trying to argue the fact that the earth is round to a flat-earth society member.(add remarks)

Sheepdog is very popular on this thread.
He is now content with the amount of time and energy
needed to deal with him. Life is good.
'ting-ting')pulling left to right-and downback.

if the attention helps me land more nude hairless Chinese boys, I'm all for it...

Dear Frank
From Diane Harvey
merak@sedona.net
3-2-3

To Frank Koza
NSA Chief of Staff (Regional Targets)
 
Dear Frank:
 
I write in commiseration about what happened with that sweet little surge you mounted to surveil the devil out of those recalcitrant and unpatriotic U.N. members. Of course, it's a tough break that everybody and his dog knows all about it now. Ok - not ALL about it - we know better than that. Still, you know how it is: mount a surge and who knows what will happen next? I mean, it's not really your fault NSA got caught with its electronic pants down, and I want you to know I understand that. So many telephones, emails, faxes and letters - so little time! It could happen to anybody. The main thing is to have a good sense of humor about this kind of thing, don't you think?

Now about that letter I wrote to Security Council members excoriating the present U.S. administration, and accusing it of assorted vile practices and wicked motives. You've got it there somewhere, according to that other memo - probably in the 'Domestic comms' file. Anyway, I wanted to take this golden opportunity to mention that every word of that letter was heartfelt, and expressed with full confidence in my Constitutional right to exercise freedom of speech. Just so you know I'm trying hard not to waste the NSA's valuable time or anything. And Frank, while we are on the topic, if you don't mind sharing a little more secret info here, just between us, of course: I need to know exactly how much of my taxes are being spent on spying on me. Because if it is agreeable to you, why don't I just send you a digital and audio copy of everything I write and say, and save us both all that money wasted on unnecessary - and obviously insecure! - advanced technology? Meanwhile, if you don't mind, please forward a memo to me about my current costs, as I need it for my records. Thanks in advance.

I know it's hard to keep up with all the anti-administration traffic these days, what with the whole damn world breathing down your neck, electronically speaking - and vice versa, naturally. But whatever - we are all certainly keeping as close and eye on one another as possible, aren't we? Personally, Frank, I'm delighted to meet you, and without this astonishingly timely leak your specific existence would never have crossed my mind. Is that really fair? I mean, there you are, Chief of Staff of Regional Targets in NSA, privy to all the most vital communications that money can buy and satellites can steal. And here am I, possessing only a measly personal computer with which to discover what my fellow human beings really think, and to try to make my own views known.

Well, nobody ever said this democracy thing had anything to do with serious information sharing anyway, did they? It's not like I am complaining or anything. And I'm sure you fully understand how thoroughly enjoyable it is for ordinary citizens to catch an unexpurgated glimpse of you in action. No hard feelings, I trust. After all, this business of using illegal secret information in ways that contravene the Constitution and Bill of Rights of the United States of America and God-knows-what-else is bound to cause a little trouble. One could even say: what's the point of working in the National Security Agency at all, if you actually work against the basic tents of your own government's legal framework?
 
 
 
To be perfectly frank, Frank, for the National Security Administration constantly to undermine the security of the laws of the land is a perfectly awful idea. You might want to give that part some real thought. Please let me know if I can help you rethink all this difficult Constitutional business - I'm at your service, or might as well be, what with one thing and another, as you know.

I was going to send this to your office email, but I see you already had to bail out of that one. So I'll just post it on the net then, since it's all the same to you anyway.

Cheers,
 
Diane

IS a Saver!