MONEY-TRACKING LEAK ANGERS CHENEY
BBC NEWS
US Vice-President Dick Cheney has condemned as "offensive" US media disclosures of a secret programme that probes global financial transactions.
The government has covertly tracked thousands of international money transactions for nearly five years as part of its so-called war on terror.
Mr Cheney said leaking the programme played into the enemy's hands.
The New York Times defended its coverage, saying the information was in the public's interest.
'Solid and sound'
Speaking in Chicago, Mr Cheney said the disclosures, which went ahead despite appeals from the White House, would make it more difficult for the administration to prevent future attacks.
The operation uses a huge financial database in Belgium, known as Swift, to track private money transfers around the world.
But civil liberty groups have raised concerns that the programme, which began soon after the 9/11 attacks in the US, may infringe individual rights to privacy.
Mr Cheney said: "These are good, solid sound programmes. They are conducted in accordance with the laws of the land."
BBC NEWS
US Vice-President Dick Cheney has condemned as "offensive" US media disclosures of a secret programme that probes global financial transactions.
The government has covertly tracked thousands of international money transactions for nearly five years as part of its so-called war on terror.
Mr Cheney said leaking the programme played into the enemy's hands.
The New York Times defended its coverage, saying the information was in the public's interest.
'Solid and sound'
Speaking in Chicago, Mr Cheney said the disclosures, which went ahead despite appeals from the White House, would make it more difficult for the administration to prevent future attacks.
The operation uses a huge financial database in Belgium, known as Swift, to track private money transfers around the world.
But civil liberty groups have raised concerns that the programme, which began soon after the 9/11 attacks in the US, may infringe individual rights to privacy.
Mr Cheney said: "These are good, solid sound programmes. They are conducted in accordance with the laws of the land."
