NBC reporter to testify at CIA leak case

[Ron Burgundy]

AP - NBC News reporter Tim Russert should find the format familiar: An interviewer, a television screen and a gauntlet of pointed questions.

Unlike his seat as host of "Meet the Press," however, Russert won't be asking the questions. He'll be in the witness box, fielding questions from prosecutors about his conversation with former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby and from defense attorneys who want to undercut his credibility.

Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald says he expects Russert to be his final witness Wednesday in Libby's perjury and obstruction trial. Libby is accused of lying to authorities investigating the leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity.

Russert and Libby tell two very different stories about a phone conversation they had in July 2003.

Both agree Libby called to complain about one of Russert's colleagues. Russert says the call ended there. Libby says Russert brought up the subject of an outspoken war critic, Joseph Wilson, a former ambassador who accused the Bush administration of doctoring prewar intelligence on Iraq.

"Did you know that Ambassador Wilson's wife worked at the CIA?" Libby said Russert asked.

"No, I don't know that," Libby said he replied.

"Yes, all the reporters know it," Russert responded, according to Libby's grand jury testimony.

Russert is expected to testify that exchange never happened. Fitzgerald believes Libby learned about Plame's identity from government officials, passed it on to reporters, then concocted the Russert conversation to cover it up.

Libby acknowledges learning about Plame from his boss, Vice President Dick Cheney, but says he forgot it. He says he learned it from Russert a month later as if it were new and only discussed Plame with other reporters based on that conversation.

Defense attorneys, working to reveal inconsistencies in government witnesses, often show quotes, notes or other documents on a courtroom big-screen television and ask witnesses to explain discrepancies. It's a technique Russert has made famous on "Meet the Press" and one he may find himself facing Wednesday.

Though most jurors in the case said they were not regular "Meet the Press" viewers and did not have an opinion of Russert, Fitzgerald is counting on him to wrap up his case for the jury.

So even though he won't be in charge, when he takes the stand, Russert will still be the star of the show.

source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070207/ap_on_go_pr_wh/cia_leak_trial [link]